1. The Compostela World
declaration on the Contribution
of People with functional
diversity (disability) to a
Culture of Peace
1
There are currently over 650 million people living in the world with some
kind of functional diversity. If we add the group of family members who
habitually live with them, this figure becomes a very significant number: two
billion inhabitants whom, in one way or another, cope with these circumstances
on a daily basis. In all regions, and, in every country around the world, people
with functional diversity frequently live ostracised from society, excluded from
numerous fundamental experiences of life. They have low hopes of attending
schools, obtaining jobs, having their own home, developing their gender
identities, forming a family, considering maternity or paternity or enjoying social
or political life. This is particularly true in cases of men and women with severe
functional diversity meaning they need the support of other people in order to
carry out their life’s project.
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2. 2
For the great majority of people living with functional diversity in the world,
shops, services, public transportation, information, communication, etc., are, to
a large extent, outside their reach. The social and political structure is what
disables and determines the precarious nature of the human reality of functional
diversity. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to eradicate the phenomenon of
disablement, since there is a fact, functional diversity is an inherent condition
that concerns all humanity.
3
The process of disabling who suffer people with a functional diversity is a
determining factor in social exclusion and discrimination, which, if added to
many others, such as: sex discrimination, sexual orientation, inter-generation,
levels of poverty, different ethnic groups, skin colour, typology and/or degree of
functional diversity..., becomes a devastating situation. The figures are
condemning: it is estimated that among the poorest people in the world 20% are
those who suffer some kind of functional diversity; 82% of people with functional
diversity in developed countries live beneath the poverty threshold; 98% of
children with functional diversity in developing countries do not attend school;
30% of street children in the world live with some kind of functional diversity,
and the level of literacy among adults with functional diversity only reaches 3%
and in some countries it is even as low as 1% when we are talking of women
with functional diversity.
4
These figures can be much higher in countries thwarted by civil wars and
natural disasters. Everywhere in the world men and women with functional
diversity suffer permanent discrimination and, in general, are excluded from
social, economic and political life in their communities. This exclusion is the
main cause of the high poverty rate among this group of people in the poorest
countries. For men and women with functional diversity in developing countries,
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3. the fact of being socially excluded has even more dire implications, and can
even become a matter of life or death.
5
Marginalisation and exclusion lead to poverty, and the more there is, the
higher the probability of systematic discrimination against people with functional
diversity throughout their lives. Poverty therefore generates disablement, which
in turn leads to a Culture of Violence: illiteracy, undernourishment, lack of
access to drinking water, low immunity against disease, constant rape and
mutilation of female genitals and/or forced spaying, lack of independence,
unsuitable working conditions, low educational levels, segregation in community
environments, etc.
6
The United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) acknowledge that an active intervention is
required in order to obtain a Culture of Peace, inclusive and for everyone. In
their Resolution A/53/243 concerning the Declaration on a Culture of Peace
(UN September 13th 1999) a specific mention is made on the urgent need to
seek multiple strategies and/or resources that would help to eradicate all forms
of discrimination and intolerance against people with functional diversity.
7
The international Convention about the Rights of People with Functional
diversity and its Facultative Protocol was approved on December 13th 2006
at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. This was the first wide
instrument of human rights in the 21st century and a call was therefore made to
observe human dignity from a functional diversity standpoint.
8
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4. The Convention is the most important tool we have to avoid a Culture of
Violence that would generate poverty and social exclusion in the lives of people
with functional diversity, and those in their environment. It is, by large, the best
legislative and socio-political action tool that would build a true Culture of
Peace, inclusive, emancipative and sustained in time.
9
All forms of oppression against men and women with functional diversity
must be eradicated. This must take place from an inter-group point of view,
among people with and without functional diversity, and also from an intra-group
perspective, although inter-group as well, in terms of differences concerning
gender, age, educational and occupational levels, sexual orientation, access to
independent living, typology and degree of functional diversity.
10
A culture of peace demands fighting against the violence of poverty and
social injustice, such as discrimination, exclusion or forced dependence, in
every aspect of the life people with functional diversity. It is therefore mandatory
to correct all this unbalance within each country and between different countries
in order to sever the roots of violence in the world.
11
Real and effective equality of people, respect for human diversity,
development, Independent Living, Human Rights and the Right to Peace, are
joined at their roots. There cannot be long-lasting peace without human
development, in the same way that it cannot be attained without full equality
between people with or without functional diversity. Nevertheless, and for this to
be possible, respect for human dignity and diversity is needed, from a Human
Rights standpoint. And this issue, in turn, makes sense from the Philosophy of
Independent Living point of view.
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5. 12
We must fight against all kinds of violence, searching for peaceful ways to
resolve conflicts and to forge attitudes of tolerance and active commitment
towards others, with or without functional diversity. Human society is capable of
transforming conflicts, either violent or otherwise, into a positive change
experience. That can happen if, and only if, each and every one of us, excluded
for whatever reason, including functional diversity, manages to fully take an
active part in all processes. Only then we could combat the Culture of Violence
that thwarts all humanity in one way or another.
13
In order to achieve a Culture of Peace, we must make and build, through
education, a Culture of Independent Living, as well as a Culture of Human
Rights, which jointly complement each other in order to guarantee a democratic,
participative and pacific coexistence. Because, as asserted in the Constitution
of UNESCO: Since wars (or other multiple forms of violence) are born in the
minds of women and men (with or without functional diversity), it is in the minds
of these people where the bastions of peace must be erected”.
14
"Disability" is found in every socio-political, economic and cultural structure,
meaning that it is a concept created by the human brain and consequently, with
the right education under the perspective of the Philosophy (worldwide) of
Independent Living, and that of Human Rights, we will contribute to a positive
attitude and changes in mentality which will hold up a Culture of Peace.
15
Through Resolution 52/15 passed on November 20th 1997 by the United
Nations, in which the year 2000 was proclaimed “International year of the
Culture of Peace”, it invited through its “Statement for a Culture of Peace
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6. and Non-violence”, to commit to contribute to the development of the
community we are part of. Some people with severe functional diversity, who
need human support to carry out our daily living activities or to guide us in our
daily learning, did so.
16
That is why, and if we want to carry out the commitments undertaken, the
articles of the International Convention need to be urgently developed. Article
19 is particularly relevant “The right to independent living and to be included in
the community”. We believe that functional diversity (human diversity) is
synonymous of wealth, and without our presence or active participation in
society, a Culture of Peace will not be possible.
17
In this case, some of these women and men can only actively contribute to
promoting a Culture of Peace and Non-violence in their own environment if they
have human, technical and/or technological support. As promoted by the world
Philosophy of Independent Living and Human Rights, said support must be
based on the living projects of each person.
18
On October 31st 2000, the United Nations Security Council unanimously
adopted Resolution 1325 about Women, Peace and Security. This
Resolution, which accounts for a great advance in obtaining equal opportunities
between women and men, denounces instrumentalisation of women’s bodies as
a sign of dominance and subjugation as produced in armed conflicts. Moreover,
and particularly, boosting the presence and visibility of women, mainly in
construction, maintenance and negotiation of peace processes.
19
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7. It is there too where women and men with functional diversity need to be
present, at negotiation tables, and from a perspective of equal conditions, as
elected delegates. Not only should they be receivers of security and protection
(Art. 11. “Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies” UN International
Convention), but they should be a directly involved party, and to the extent that
there is instrumentalisation of functional diversity as a symbol of destruction of
the Other, they must participate in peaceful resolutions to these confrontations,
as well as to contribute to their application. Achieving Peace must take into
account the rights of people with functional diversity, more so when dealing with
poverty stricken people. To a large extent these are populations devastated by
war or other disasters. In such circumstances they are the causes of functional
diversity and of absolute abandonment in civil and general populations.
20
On November 10th 1998, the United Nations proclaimed the period from
2001 to 2010 in their Resolution 53/25 “International Decade of a Culture of
Peace and Non-violence for children around the world”. In this declaration
Resolution A/53/243 Declaration of a Culture of Peace was reasserted. The
peaceful and non-violent fight for eradication of all kinds of violence against
women and men with functional diversity continues to be in force. This is also
true for children included in this group of people.
21
2010 is therefore the ideal moment to be accountable, and based on the
results of accountability, build new research and action lines that help to
consolidate a Culture of Peace, emancipative and inclusive too for people with
functional diversity.
22
With this purpose, the undersigned do hereby undertake to:
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8. • Request international, regional, national and local organisations and
public administrations; Governments; Non-governmental Organisations;
Civil Society, to implement in the future Peace and Human Rights
Agendas and the perspective of the International Convention of Rights
for People with Functional diversity (UN), as an unavoidable guide for the
construction of a Culture of Peace.
23
• To cooperate with international, regional, national and local organisations
and public administrations; Governments; Non-governmental
Organisations; Civil Society, to drive reviews of all current norms in order
to evaluate whether or not they respect the International Convention of
Rights (UN) for this group or otherwise, whether they promote a Culture
of Violence. In the case of any negatives, reasonable deadlines will be
established to correct said situations as quickly as possible.
24
• To open joint lines of work with international, regional, national and local
organisations and public administrations and Governments to pass
specific legislation defending the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of
people with functional diversity.
25
• To support all national and international efforts that are carried out to
guarantee real, effective equality between people with and without
functional diversity in all scopes of life (personal, social, cultural,
economic, leisure and political participation). Particularly, those of girls
and women and, all people who, owing to their functional diversity, are
alienated and who are consequently vulnerable.
26
• To boost acknowledgment of the Independent Living Movement and its
Philosophy as the most respectful social and political expression with the
perspective of Human Rights and a Culture of Peace. In this sense, said
practice, should be understood as an “Experience of Peace” based on a
Methodology of Active Non-violence.
27
• To promote the inclusion of the human reality of functional diversity in all
areas of Peace (universities; associations; centres, clubs and UNESCO
chairs; seminars, foundations, research centres; movements for peace,
etc.), from a transversal perspective. In order to do so it is important to
bear in mind Specialists in Peace, who are in a situation of functional
diversity. Their voices and, the inclusion of their Human Rights, are
indispensable to consolidate a Culture of Peace.
28
• To offer our contributions to governmental and inter-governmental
structures and associations and NGOs, as well as Civil Society in
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9. general, in order to work on developing a Culture of Peace, emancipative
and long-lasting for future generations. As builders of Peace we should
take responsibility of including our specifics in the constitution,
maintenance and negotiations of Peace.
29
• To demand inclusion of women and men with functional diversity in
Development Cooperation Projects and Programmes, and in Public
Policies for International Development.
30
• To favour policies and programmes for women and men with functional
diversity to promote our empowering to build full citizenship.
31
• Advise so that human and financial resources are fundamentally
allocated to promoting human rights for all people, with or without
functional diversity. And, to claim reductions in military expenditure.
32
• To advocate for full implementation of the principles that promote the UN
International Convention (Art. 3):
a) Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy, including the
freedom to make one’s own decisions, and independence of people.
b) Non discrimination.
c) Full, effective participation and inclusion in society.
d) Respect for differences and acceptance of people with functional
diversity as part of diversity and the human condition.
e) Equal opportunities.
f) Accessibility.
g) Equality between men and women.
h) Respect for the evolution of children’s faculties with functional
diversity and their right to preserve their identity.
33
• Promote a broad, comprehensive, and quality, ability to incorporate
different human diversity (gender, sexual orientation, intergenerational,
intercultural ...), including "functional diversity" from a horizontal plane
and cross-disciplinary learning.
34
• To promote specific curricular material, an “Education for a Culture of
Independent Living”, understood as an excellent training tool to de-
construct and re-construct new values, attitudes and behaviour taking us
closer to a Culture of Peace, further, when dealing with people with
functional diversity. This is a complement for the transversal perspective.
35
• “Education for a Culture of Independent Living” should also be inclusive
for everyone. It should integrate all different diversities that are part of the
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10. human being with functional diversity (ethnic group, colour, gender,
language, religion, political opinion or opinions of any other nature,
national origin, race, indigenous or social, wealth status, birth status, age
or any other condition). That is the only way it could be added to the
whole thereby configuring an “Education for a Culture of Peace”.
36
• Acknowledging Peace as a Human Right. In times of war or conflict, the
possibilities of people with functional diversity are reduced to undreamed-
of levels. Each Human Being should have the guarantee of “living, in
peace” and/or “living, from peace”. Men and women with functional
diversity should also have the right to live with dignity and in and from
peace. The latter means that we are able to have expectations of life and
that the “Culture of functional diversity” becomes wealth.
37
• Foster new development approaches that take into account the priorities
and perspectives of men and women with functional diversity, from the
Human Rights viewpoint and the world Philosophy for Independent
Living. Moreover, programmes should be promoted that support
entrepreneurs with functional diversity, in order to drive their personal
talent and capacity in favour of building a Culture of Peace.
38
• To oppose all modes of discrimination which for reasons of religion,
cultural or traditional practices, or inter-group inequality that could
emerge. Violence against women, compulsory dependence or some
biotechnological progress, are some examples of systematic
infringement or violation of Human Rights against this group, which must
be fought against.
39
• Everyone, with or without functional diversity, women or men and those
with different functional diversity, as players in the construction and
maintenance of a Culture of Peace, can transform the structures to build
a common, shared space, one that is desirable, in which different human
diversity is respected under suitable terms, if, and only if, we are capable
of taking the reins of our own lives and of our human becoming. In short:
NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US
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