PSIA Seminar Discusses Policy Priorities for Building an Inclusive, Rights-Based, Barrier-Free Armenia

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On April 2, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) program hosted a seminar with Dr. Victor Pineda, who spoke about the importance of Inclusive Urban Development, focusing on progress, modernity, and rights.  

Dr. Pineda’s talk evolved around the idea of transforming urban systems for persons with disabilities and increasing their access to local planning. In doing so, the speaker presented an award winning framework developed as a result of the “Inclusive Cities Lab” initiative. Dr. Pineda discussed the importance of legislative measures, executive leadership and support, administrative coordination, and participation of target groups in the process of building a society for everybody. He also reflected on the importance of developing a strategic communication and engagement plan to eliminate social barriers defined as public attitudes and awareness. The author concluded by recognizing the importance of academic communities’ involvement in providing solid evidence to the policy and decision makers to make conventions, and highlighted that disability activists are useful partners for the governments.

Dr. Victor Pineda is an Adjunct Professor at the University of California at Berkeley and Research Fellow at the World Institute on Disability. Dr. Pineda is the author of “The Capability Model of Disability: Assessing the Success of UAE Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 in the Emirate of Dubai” and “It’s About Ability: an Explanation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” Dr. Pineda was the recipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovative Research Grant, a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship, the Thomas Jefferson Award, the Tom Clausen Fellowship for Business and Policy, and the AAPD Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award. He has worked closely with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, World Bank, United Nations, UNESCO, UNICEF, and National Advisory Committees in developing programs and policies that include youth with disabilities as equal stakeholders in development.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Dr. Victor Pineda spoke about the importance of Inclusive Urban Development, focusing on progress, modernity, and rights. 

Dr. Pineda’s talk evolved around the idea of transforming urban systems for persons with disabilities and increasing their access to local planning.