| Major group affiliation: |
- Non-governmental organization
|
| Involvement in UN Partnerships: |
Yes |
| If yes, explain in detail: |
The Essl Foundation has established a long term cooperation with the International Labor Organisation that supports the Zero Project (the most important activity of the Essl Foundation) both, financially and content wise. |
| Affiliation with other organizations: |
Menschen für Menschen, Ashoka |
| Publications: |
http://www.zeroproject.org/about/publications/ |
Statements or documents submitted
Commission on Sustainable Development:
|
- |
| Accreditation to: |
Conference of States Parties
|
| Affiliation with other organizations: |
World Future Council, ANED, DPI, FRA, UNHCR, The European Foundation Center, Bank Austria, The International Labour Organisation, Ashoka, Vienna Convention Bureau from the Vienna Tourism Board, Government of Lower Austria, various other private austrian foundations, menschen für menschen |
| Publications: |
The brochure Findings on Accessibility of the Zero Project was produced “A prelude to the European Accessibility Act: Findings of the international Zero Project Report 2012¿ which was held in the European Parliament on the 21st of June 2012 and hosted by Ádám Kósa MEP, the Essl Foundation and the World Future Council, under the patronage of the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament and in collaboration with the European Disability Forum. The Zero Project Report 2012, an international study on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, was published on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2011, in collaboration with the World Future Council. The ESSL Social Index Pilot Study 2010: Situation of persons with disabilities was published in 2010, containing a review of the implementation of the UN Convention in 15 countries and in nine Austrian federal provinces based on 40 social indicators. http://www.zeroproject.org/about/publications/ |
| Purpose of the organization: |
The Purpose of the Organisation is to remove barriers, especially for disadvantaged persons, and to work for a more just and equal society. The Essl Foundation understands the term “barriers” in a very broad sense: every one of us is disabled sometime within our lifetime and can be confronted with barriers: the very young, the very old, the impoverished, minorities, women, etc. The goal of the Essl Foundation is the promotion of social innovation and social entrepreneurship, as well as of disadvantaged people, especially people with disabilities. These can only be achieved with the involvement of the disabled themselves, the representatives of their interests, civil society, NGOs and foundations, ministers, parliamentarians and other politicians, public servants and the media. |
| Activities relevant to the conference of States Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: |
In May 2008, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered into force. However, the lack of expertise on how to plan and execute policies and strategies remains a major challenge. Outstanding examples of political responsibility that actively promote the rights of persons with disabilities both now, and for the future, are fairly rare. In response to this shortage of policy role models, the Essl Foundation has started the Zero Project. It supports the implementation of the UN Convention for Persons with Disabilities, by creating social indicators and highlight good practices and good policies. The Zero Project creates platforms for sharing and developing models that clearly improve the daily lives, and legal rights, of persons with disabilities. The Zero Project was presented at the following congresses, conferences and events: Presentation of the Zero Project at the 2012 Annual Research to Policy Conference: “Disability and Work: Global Strategies for Equity”, 3-7 May 2012, Montreal, Canada. • Conference at the European Parliament in Brussels: “A prelude to the European Accessibility Act: Findings of the International Zero Project Report”, 21 June 2012, 12:30-15:00 pm, Room: JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium. • Presentation of the Zero Project Report 2013 and in particular its findings for the Latinamerican world at the 5th RIADIS Conference: “Latin America Accessible and Without Barriers”, 10 November 2012, Quito, Ecuador. • Launch of the Zero Project Report 2013, with its special focus on employment, on December 3, 2012, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, at the Vienna International Film Festival for Human Rights, Austria • At a side event of the fifth session of the Conference of States Parties held at the UN in September 2012 was entitled “Voices from the Global South”, and focused on the importance of those voices being heard • Reykjavik at a conference of the Nordic States • Geneva at the United Nations Office at Geneva at a side event at the UN Human Rights Council |
| Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: |
The Austrian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed the Zero Project and it was presented together at the UNHCR Side event in Geneva. |
| A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
KR. Martin Essl, Austrian GD Rudolf Humer, Austrian Dr. Gerhard Eckert, Austrian |
| Description of the membership of the organization, indicating the total number of members: |
none (foundation) |
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