Promoting Human Rights: A Project for Kazakhstan

October 6 - 10, 2015

About Kazakhstan

This country is home to a variety of landscape including energy rich lowlands, mountains, steppes and an industrialized northern region that holds potential for economic development [3]. About 70% of public infrastructure in Kazakhstan is inaccessible to people with disabilities [2]. The government has recently taken initiative to focus their attention on bettering the lives of the disabled. In 2008, 500,000 people with disabilities were included into the country's social protection system which supports their rights [1]. The country also produced a National Human Development Report that urged to end exclusion and promote equal rights. The government funded $200 million in promoting disability policies and establishing support services such as wheelchair accessible public transportation [1]. Certain laws have even been amended to extend attention to those with disabilities and improve their quality of life [2].

About the Program

The IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Over the last 70 years, the IVLP has developed into the premier professional exchange program in the U.S. and brings over 200 emerging leaders to Jacksonville every year.

[1] http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/ourwork/democraticgovernance/successstories/kazakhstan--a-champion-for-people-living-with-disabilities.html

[2] http://www.edgekz.com/kazakhstan-making-strides-in-disability-access-acceptance/

[3] http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15263826