U.N. ambassador to speak on disability studies, law and human policy Feb. 7

U.N. ambassador to speak on disability studies, law and human policy Feb. 7February 07, 2005Nicci Brownnicbrown@syr.edu

Luis Benigno Gallegos Chiriboga, the permanent representative of Ecuador to the United Nations in New York, will speak at Syracuse University Feb. 7. His presentation, “Evolution of the Work of the United Nations in Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: The Work of the Ad Hoc Committee Toward an International Convention,” will begin at 11:45 a.m. in Room 200 of the College of Law. The event is free and open to the public.

Gallegos’ visit is sponsored by the SU Center on Disability Studies, Law, and Human Policy. Co-Director Arlene Kanter says his visit is made even more significant by its timing. “The ambassador comes to us just as the United Nations is concluding a two-week session on finalizing a draft of the Convention on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities,” she says. “His visit highlights the importance of disability studies at Syracuse University, and the historic role SU has played and continues to play in developing local, national and international disability policies.”

Other sponsors include the College of Law, School of Education, The Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs, The Center for Global Law and Practice, the Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee and the disAbility Law Society.

Gallegos serves as chair of the U.N. Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities. His personal commitment to ensure people with disabilities full access to the U.N. process has set the stage for the U.N. to enact the first comprehensive treaty recognizing the dignity of people with disabilities and their right to equal participation throughout the world.

During his 35-year foreign-service career Gallegos has represented Ecuador at the United Nations Office in Geneva and as the ambassador to El Salvador. His other postings include: minister in the Ecuadoran Embassy in Bulgaria, counselor in the Embassy of Ecuador in the United States, and as Ecuador’s Consul-General in Chicago.

Paid parking for the event is available in the University Avenue garage.