Supporting participation by representatives of people with disability in key international forums on human rights
Disability Rights
Supporting disability peak and advocacy organisations to participate in the 2024 Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
The 17th Session of the Conference of State Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a three-day international event about the human rights of persons with disabilities. It will be held at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York 11–13 June 2024.
The involvement of civil society, and particularly persons with disabilities, is an important part of COSP.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) will contribute funding for civil society delegates to participate in COSP. The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is managing an Expression of Interest process for this funding.
The roles and responsibilities of the Commission, DSS, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Civil Society organisations participating in Australia’s delegation to COSP17, is available in both Word and PDF.
An Easy Read version of the Roles and Responsibilities is also available in both Word and PDF.
Who can apply for funding?
Funding will be provided to individuals through disability peak organisations and disability advocacy organisations.
Applications can only come from disability peak organisations and disability advocacy organisations accredited to the Conference of State Parties, have UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Consultative Status, or can become accredited before 2024.
More information on ECOSOC accreditation is available on the United Nations website.
An organisation with ECOSOC accreditation can include other organisations on their application. For instance, where another organisation does not have accreditation.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for funding to attend COSP as a delegate. You can apply by contacting a disability peak organisation or disability advocacy organisation, which include you in their application.
Delegates
Individuals can either apply for the General Delegation or Emerging Young Leaders Delegation to attend COSP:
General Delegation
- The General Delegation supports individuals with demonstrated experience in the disability sector to attend COSP. These delegates will represent the experiences and interests of Australians with disability and advocate for policy change at an international level. They are also expected to support the Emerging Young Leaders Delegation.
Emerging Young Leaders Delegation
- The Emerging Young Leaders Delegation supports young disability rights advocates to attend COSP. This provides the opportunity for the next generation to build their capacity to represent the Australian disability sector at the UN. This year, the age range for eligibility in this category is 18 – 35 years.
Applicants to the Emerging Young Leaders Delegation will have an opportunity to network with advocates in the international disability movement, learn about strategic advocacy and its application to domestic advocacy, and visit important UN organisations.
Information to include in applications
The ‘Expression of Interest Guide’ sets out the information required, covering both the organisation and the individual seeking funding.
When applying for funding, individuals should include information about the activities they will do. Information could be included about:
- preparatory meetings or activities related to your attendance, for example planning or drafting an intervention, becoming familiar with the COSP themes, participation at roundtables, conducting a side event, domestic preparation, engagement meetings
- attending COSP, such as engaging with UN organisations, disseminating information
- post event work
The application must include a budget outlining what you would like to have funded. If you would like to attend in person but are willing to attend online if in-person attendance is not an option, you should include two budgets.
This budget should also include any funding contribution that the organisation will make towards the overall cost of attendance.
The 'Expression of Interest Guide' is available in both Word and PDF.
An Easy Read COSP information document is available in both Word and PDF.
Submitting applications
Organisations can submit applications through any of the following formats, but need to include the information outlined in the 'Expression of Interest Guide'.
- Written document
- Easy Read (no length limit)
- Video (maximum of five minutes)
- Audio file (maximum of five minutes)
Easy Read, video and audio files may also be supported by an additional one-page written summary.
Selection and assessment process
Disability representative and advocacy organisations may submit applications on behalf of multiple individuals. Each individual will be assessed separately for shortlisting.
The Commission will look to ensure a diverse delegation reflective of the Australian community, including (but not limited to) considering experiences of disability, First Nations people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Factors considered in the assessment are outlined in the 'Expression of Interest Guide'.
Timeline for applications
20 October 2023 – Calls for Expressions of Interest opens
08 December 2023 – Expression of Interest closes
February 2024 (approximate) – Organisations advised of outcome
11–13 June 2024 – Conference of State Parties
The deadline for expressions of interest has now been extend to 5pm 8 December 2023. All applications must be submitted to disability@humanrights.gov.au.
Please contact the Disability Rights Team at the email address above with any questions.
Note: Once funding decisions have been determined, questions around funding of delegates should be directed to the relevant contact at DSS (the Commission will provide these details to successful applicants).
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