KUCHING: The first Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Advocacy Training will engage policymakers and legislators focusing on the rights of this group with the necessary tools and knowledge.
Mind Brew, Mental Health Association of Sarawak (MHAS) and Âûtsome Kch are cohosting the convention on Feb 18.
MHAS spokesperson Laura Kho said the training will be involve a six-hour workshop based on the IdolaDemokrasi Gameshop model formulated by the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR).
Explaining further, she said the workshop is divided into five modules with an emphasis on group work where participants will be introduced to human rights and basic disability concepts, critical thinking and conflict resolution, CRPD-informed advocacy, among others.
“The trainer for the workshop, Hasbeemasputra Abu Bakar, is a seasoned human rights advocate with over a decade of experience working in the field.
“He has contributed to MCCHR’s Activating Malaysians – DIY Toolkit by designing their IdolaDemokrasi workshop and had been invited in the past to deliver advocacy rights workshops at national and international levels.
“His work in the niche of mental health and human rights is formulated and inspired by his life experience. He is also the founder of Rangkaian Solidariti Demokratik Pesakit Mental (SIUMAN) which is a collective of lived experience advocates pushing for the inclusion of the disabled in governance,” she said in a press statement.
The outcome of the workshop is for participants to develop their own advocacy campaigns on issues close to them and their communities.
It will focus on disability and related topics, but the skills learned can be applied to any context.
The workshop is open to anyone who is passionate about disability rights and no prior advocacy experience is required.
Those who are interested can register via Instagram @autsomekch, or contact the organisers at crpd.sarawak@gmail.com or call 082-231459.
