UN expert Professor Ron McCallum to visit New Zealand

The Human Rights Commission is hosting Professor Ron McCallum’s visit to New Zealand 19-23 May. McCallum will advise on New Zealand’s first report to the United Nations on progress of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, due in October this year.

McCallum is chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the independent body that monitors implementation of the Disability Convention and the committee New Zealand will report to.

Commissioner Robyn Hunt hopes McCallum’s visit will provide further clarity to ensure disabled people are appropriately involved in monitoring the Disability Convention.

“Effective monitoring is critical to ensure implementation of the Convention progresses,” says Hunt. “Involving disabled people in decision-making and discussions about the Convention is vital to the process and one of the fundamental aspects the Human Rights Commission advocates for.”

While in New Zealand, McCallum will meet with Tariana Turia, Minister for Disability Issues, disability community leaders in Wellington and Auckland, the Office for Disability Issues and government officials.

Background
McCallum is the first totally blind person appointed to a full professorship in Australia or New Zealand, as well as the first to become a Dean of Law. In 2006, he received the Office in the Order of Australia in the Queen’s birthday honours list for his services to tertiary education, social justice and for his assistance to visually impaired persons.

McCallum is president of the Australian Labour Law Association, deputy chair of the Board of Vision Australia, and chair of Radio for the Print Handicapped of New South Wales Co-operative Ltd.

As well as playing the flute, McCallum is a regular meditation leader, an accomplished cook, and is currently reading up on Buddhist philosophy.

ENDS

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