First G7 Inclusion and Disability held

"We need to be heard". The message on stage at the opening of the G7 Inclusion and Disability Summit is from Francesca Donnarumma, a deaf-blind law graduate. But in reality hers is the voice of almost eight million Italians living with a disability. She was listened to not only by the Italian Minister of Disability, Alessandra Locatelli, but also by the other representatives of the countries that will participate in these days in the first G7 dedicated to the theme of inclusion and disability. "It is an important day for our country, we are gathered here to give a strong signal on inclusion, on disability and for the enhancement of the person," Minister Locatelli stressed at the opening of the meeting, adding: "By now the change has begun in our country with the disability reform, but it must be carried on also in daily activities, especially by cutting red tape, simplifying, always thinking that whatever is done must be done for everyone and above all by seeing the potential and not the limits in each person.

She was echoed by the words of the 12 ministers and heads of delegations who took turns at the microphone to bring their greetings and commitment, starting with Sara Minkara, US Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, who thanked Locatelli for having "put disability on the G7 ministerial map.

This will not only have an impact on the 1.3 billion people with disabilities in the world, but on all of us,' he went on to emphasise the issue of employment: 'Between now and 2030 there will be 85 million new jobs in the world of technology and we must be part of this innovation.

Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities of Canada pointed out: 'Today and in the coming days we have the opportunity to show that we are making progress in our efforts to make inclusion a priority in our nations. If we as a country want to reach our full potential we must ensure that accessibility is made a priority. In Canada, we want to build a barrier-free country by 2040 in the true spirit of 'nothing without us'.

And the concept 'no one should be left behind' returned in the speeches of ministers from various countries, from Great Britain to Vietnam, from Japan to South Africa, from Tunisia to France. "No person will be disadvantaged because of his or her disability," reiterated Kerstin Griese, State Secretary to the German Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, while Alfred Mutua, Kenya's Minister of Labour and Social Protection, explained the country's commitment to ensure that "in all institutions and companies there are people with disabilities" with a view to a society that can look at all the complexities of reality.