Pohjoismainen sivutilaisuus: Accessible crisis preparedness and crisis communication

Responsibility for these tasks is distributed among public and private entities, including government authorities, municipalities, regions, and businesses. What are the challenges associated with ensuring that crisis information is accessible to all individuals? 

This Nordic side event at the UN COSP 17 will be live streamed. It is free and open to everyone. You can register here to get an e-mail reminder when the live stream is about to start. Watching the stream does not require registration. 

The Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, COSP17 will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. 

Why do we need accessible crisis communication? 

Effective crisis communication is a vital aspect of crisis preparedness, facilitating communication among stakeholders, the general public, and the media during times of social disruption. 

Coordinated communication enhances credibility, reduces ambiguity, combats the spread of rumors, and empowers the public to contribute to crisis management efforts.   

The principles of human rights apply universally, including to individuals with disabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities clarifies how human rights extend to persons with disabilities. Many countries are operationalizing this convention through national action plans and strategies. 

In 2024, Sweden holds the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. In this side event, we will present perspectives on accessible crisis preparedness and crisis communication, as well as practices from Sweden, the Nordic countries, the EU, and the UN.