Celebrating 10 Years of IF’s Participation in the Bridge CRPD-SDGs Initiative
In October 2025, IF marked 10 years of active engagement in the Bridge CRPD–SDGs initiative with a special anniversary meeting held in Bangkok. This milestone celebrates a decade of collaboration with the global disability movement and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), strengthening the capacity of our members and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities worldwide.
The Bangkok meeting highlighted the impact of IF’s participation over the years, providing an opportunity for members to reflect on progress, exchange experiences, and plan the next phase of regional advocacy in line with Global Disability Summit (GDS) commitments and the Amman-Berlin Declaration.
Members in Focus: Perspectives from Indonesia and the Philippines
Wardah Bagis – Indonesia
Representing Komunitas Spina Bifida Indonesia, Wardah Bagis participated in the Bridge CRPD–SDGs ASEAN Training Module 2. Building on Module 1 from February 2025 (read the article here), this advanced training focused on technical sessions, case studies, and collaborative exercises to strengthen regional advocacy skills.
“Throughout the training, I gained a more structured and in-depth understanding of the CRPD and its relevance for national and regional advocacy. I learned practical tools for analysing policies, legislation, budgets, and institutional practices through a CRPD lens. The training also strengthened my skills in communication, leadership, and collaborative advocacy—skills that are essential for promoting meaningful participation in policy processes in Indonesia”, Wardah said.
Wardah’s key takeaways from the training were that:
- The CRPD is the foundation of all meaningful advocacy;
- Meaningful participation requires preparation and strategy;
- Evidence strengthens advocacy credibility;
- Inclusive development must be intersectional.
Read Warda’s full article here
Manuela Carla M. Diozon – Philippines
Representing the Spina Bifida Support Group Foundation, Inc., Manuela Carla M. Diozon attended the 10th anniversary meeting in Bangkok, where she engaged with a vibrant and diverse community of disability advocates.
Carla described the milestone event as transformative: “This workshop was my first experience engaging with a diverse international community of persons with different types of disabilities—and it was both eye-opening and transformative”.
She also emphasised the importance of regional collaboration:
“Inclusion is a collective effort, and meaningful progress requires active partnerships across sectors, regions, and communities”.
The importance of translating commitments into real, measurable change and the value of regional collaboration were among Carla’s key takeaways:
“For SBSGF, this means looking closely at how our local initiatives can support national and global goals. It also means encouraging our members to stay informed, involved, and engaged as part of a much larger movement for equal rights and inclusive development”.
Read Carla’s full article here
Looking Ahead
The 10th anniversary meeting in Bangkok underscored IF’s longstanding commitment to the Bridge CRPD–SDGs initiative and to our partnership with IDA. Over the past decade, this collaboration has strengthened the advocacy capacities of our members, promoted regional cooperation, and ensured that the voices of persons with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus are represented within the global disability movement.
As we look forward, IF remains committed to advancing inclusive policies and meaningful participation, connecting local initiatives with national, regional, and global advocacy efforts.
