August 2, 2012

The United Nation’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has awarded ‘special consultative status’ to Beit Issie Shapiro, an organization providing services to children with special needs, promoting research and training and changing attitudes toward people with disabilities.

Beit Issie Shapiro will provide Israeli expertise in the field of disability rights and represent the innovations coming out of Israel, keep abreast of world developments and trends in the field of disabilities, and help monitor and implement international agreements such as the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, the organization said in a statement.

“We have so much to share as well as learn from other countries, and this status will enable us to network and exchange information with leading specialists in the field of disabilities across the world,” said Beit Issie Shapiro executive director Jean Judes. “This is an opportunity for us to influence policy in order to bring about a greater quality of life for these individuals and families.”

The Ra’anana based center is one of 12 Israeli organizations to have the UN grade.

“I am delighted that Beit Issie Shapiro has been granted Special Consultative Status to the UN’s Economic and Social Council. This is credit to the hard work and dedication of our many staff, volunteers and supporters,” said Judes.

The World Health Organization and World Bank recently released results of a survey that showed that 785 million people – 15 percent of the world’s population – live with significant disabilities.

Judes will represent Beit Issie Shapiro this September at the Fifth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“The ECOSOC Council is made up of state representatives and therefore is a political platform, and the UN is often criticized for anti-Israel bias, this new status allows Beit Issie Shapiro proudly to represent the best of what Israel has to offer the world,” said Judes.