The Duke of Sussex is backing a major human rights campaign which aims to represent the world’s 1.2billion disabled people.
‘WeThe15’ – denoting the percentage of the global population living with disabilities – will launch ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics in the hope of ending discrimination by striving for visibility, accessibility and inclusion.
Spearheaded by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and International Disability Alliance (IDA), the project has been supported by a host of international organisations, including the European Commission, UN Human Rights, and the Invictus Games Foundation.
Together they will work with governments, businesses and the public during the next decade to initiate change by altering attitudes and creating more opportunities.
Prince Harry, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, said in a statement: “One of the reasons why I was inspired to create the Invictus Games was to help destigmatise physical and invisible injuries and give the men and women who have experienced them a platform to show the world that they and we can accomplish anything, when we put our mind to it.
“Everybody at the Invictus Games Foundation is honoured to join the WeThe15 campaign and believe in its mission to inspire meaningful change in communities around the world.”
To mark the launch, more than 125 world landmarks – including the London Eye, Empire State Building and Colosseum in Rome – will be lit up purple on August 19, the colour associated with the disability community.
A 90-second film promoting the campaign will be played during next week’s Paralympic Games opening ceremony.
IPC president Andrew Parsons said in a statement: “By uniting several leading international organisations and the world’s 1.2billion persons with disabilities behind one common movement, we will make a tangible and well overdue difference for the planet’s largest marginalised group.
“Sport, and events such as the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, are hugely powerful vehicles to engage global audiences.
“I strongly believe WeThe15 could be a real game-changer for persons with disabilities.”
Two-time Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead, who will defend his 200m title in Japan, said: “We need to empower and support every individual and give them the platform for success. It’s not about gold medals it’s about giving every person a feeling of self-worth.
“Hopefully sport and the WeThe15 campaign will reach out into those areas that haven’t heard about Paralympic sport and possibilities available.”
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