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 2023 Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP)
The 16th 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 13–15 June 2023.
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.
An Easy Read version of the information on this webpage is available in both PDF and Word.
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 2023.
More information on ECOSOC accreditation is available here: https://csonet.org/index.php?menu=34
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 ‘Application Form’ 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 ‘Application Form’ is available in both PDF and Word.
Submitting applications
Organisations must confirm they will fulfil the requirements for successful applicants outlined in the ‘Requirements for successful applicants’ document available in both PDF and Word.
Organisations can submit applications through any of the following formats, but do need to include the information outlined in the ‘Application Form’.
- 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 ‘Application Form’.
COVID-19
COSP is currently scheduled to take place in New York.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on international travel and events. In-person attendance could be affected by COVID-19 and the event could change to online at a later date.
Further information will be provided to successful delegates as it becomes available.
Timeline for applications
3 October 2022 – Calls for Expressions of Interest opens
4 November 2022 – Expression of Interest closes
February 2023 (approximate) – Organisations advised of outcome
13–15 June 2023 – Conference of State Parties
All applications must be submitted to disability@humanrights.gov.au by 5pm Friday 4 November 2022.
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).
Key Documents on this page
