Disability Inclusion Matters: Staff voice from Zambia

The "Disability Inclusion Matters: Leaving No One Behind, Empowering Unity, Achieving More” is an internal RC system campaign aimed at celebrating and recognizing the crucial roles played by our colleagues with disabilities and the importance of each of us taking concrete steps to make the RC system more inclusive of persons with disabilities. This campaign is called for under the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and outlined in DCO’s Disability Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025 to raise awareness and change attitudes and understandings around disability inclusion.

Moses Chubili, Chair of the RC system Disability Peer Support Network and UNV Partnerships and Coordination Officer on Disability Inclusion, RCO in Zambia. 
 

What does working for the RC System mean to you?

As a UNV Partnerships and Coordination Officer on Disability Inclusion, working for the RC system means supporting the UN's systematic and strategic efforts to promote disability inclusion and mainstreaming particularly in the RCO, as well as supporting the UNCT, and be innovative. I also have the opportunity to support the RC system to implement the United Nations Disability inclusion Strategy, support the UNCT to effectively mainstream persons with disabilities in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, fostering accountability mechanisms towards diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the attainment of the SDGs. Thus, be in the RC system is like be in a large network of stakeholders who share the same aspirations to achieve a common goal through coordination. 

 What are you most passionate about your job?

This job gives me greater opportunities to contribute towards positive impacts on disability inclusion in the UN system in Zambia, the Government and the Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and also contribute towards creating inclusive societies and workplaces. In addition the job also gives me career development and advancement prospects.  
 
What advice would you give for better inclusion of persons with disabilities in the RC System?    
Disability inclusion should not be looked at as a short term process or deed, it is an ongoing process that requires commitment and continuous improvement.   
  
The key to successful inclusion is a commitment to understanding, respecting, and valuing the unique experiences and contributions of individuals with disabilities. Disability inclusion efforts should be ongoing and evolve in response to changing needs and best practices.  
  
Additionally, RC systems should adopt an inclusive approach which benefits not only persons with disabilities but the Organization as a whole, fostering a more diverse and resilient workforce.  

What advice would you give for better inclusion of persons with disabilities in the RC System?  

"Disability inclusion should not be looked at as a short term process or deed, it is an ongoing process that requires commitment and continuous improvement.   
  
The key to successful inclusion is a commitment to understanding, respecting, and valuing the unique experiences and contributions of individuals with disabilities. Disability inclusion efforts should be ongoing and evolve in response to changing needs and best practices."

Additionally, RC systems should adopt an inclusive approach which benefits not only persons with disabilities but the Organization as a whole, fostering a more diverse and resilient workforce.
 

What would be your message to both colleagues and management?   

Regularly the RC system should assess its progress, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments to policies and practices to continuously improve the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the RC System.  

Click here to learn more about how UN teams around the world are supporting persons with disabilities.