Queen’s Young Leaders join International Development Secretary Justine Greening at House of Lords event
Leonard Cheshire Disability called for international action odao boost chances for young disabled people worldwide, to unlock their potential and place them at the heart of global development.
The call was made at an event at the House of Lords last week (30 June) as Leonard Cheshire Disability celebrated three of its leading campaigners who have just received the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award from Her Majesty the Queen, the charity’s patron.
The award-winners, Ashwini Angadi, Leroy Phillips and Yaaseen Edoo, are part of Leonard Cheshire’s global Young Voices movement, and have constantly campaigned to improve the lives of disabled people in their home countries.
Ashwini Angadi aged 21 from India, who has a visual impairment, faced many challenges and has set up her own school offering education for disabled students who face exclusion and discrimination.
She said: “I am passionate about disabled children going to school, as an education helps them to get a job and provide an income for both them and their family. It also gives them a foundation to make their own way in life and fight for their rights, empowering them to earn respect from their family and friends.”
Leonard Cheshire Disability’s International Director Tiziana Oliva speaking at the House of Lords event added:
“The achievements of Ashwini, Leroy and Yaaseen epitomise just how important it is that action is taken worldwide to create new opportunities so young disabled people can realise their true potential.
We must now ensure the new momentum generated with our award-winning global campaigners is not lost, but is spread across the world.
The new sustainable development goals that will be launched at the United Nations in September present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a place for people with disabilities at the heart of global development. Leonard Cheshire Disability is in a unique position to truly transform lives for the better.”
Leonard Cheshire Disability is the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of services for disabled people. Our services include high-quality care and community support together with innovative projects supporting disabled people into education, employment and entrepreneurship. Worldwide, our global alliance of Cheshire partners supports disabled people into education and employment, and works in more than 50 countries. Visit: www.leonardcheshire.org or follow us on twitter: @leonardcheshire
