United Nations News - June 2025 eNews
Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
On June 11, IAAP participated in a UN side event during the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The event was organized by the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Social Welfare and co-sponsored by Give Them a Hand Foundation, United African Congress, and IAAP. It focused on the mental health challenges caused by climate change, an important intersection within the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which affects persons with disabilities.
Continuing a theme from previous Sierra Leone-led events, the session highlighted the potential and inclusion of persons with disabilities and featured a Call to Action introduced by the Minister of Social Welfare.
Dr. Judy Kuriansky, joined by fellow UN Representative Dr. Walter Reichman, delivered a memorable intervention on the connection between climate change, mental health, and disability. Her perspective brought a unique and powerful voice to the event and was widely recognized by attendees for its impact.
IAAP remains committed to advancing the SDGs and advocating for the role of applied psychology in addressing global challenges.
IAAP continued its dedication to the rights of persons with disabilities by co-sponsoring an event at this year's Conference on the State Parties of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on June 11. This year demonstrated our ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Sierra Leone, and the Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, following from last year's extravaganza event on the UN plaza, co-moderated and co-produced by IAAP's UN representative Dr. Judy Kuriansky. It featured the talents of persons with disabilities, in the theme "UNlimited" that "there is no 'dis": in disability," with dance, music, and fashion, and representative speakers from 11 member states and UN Women. This year member states were again represented regionally, to show support of developing, middle-income and developed countries, including Ireland, Chile, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Georgia. Women with challenged sight from “Not My Eyes" "walked the runway" dressed by famous Italian designer Giuseppe Atelier, and IAAP's representative Russell Daisey performed an original theme song with the famous Sierra Leonean musician Manzu. IAAP interns Juliet Aminata Scott and Jenna Wettstein assisted also at the event. Kuriansky gave a presentation about the nexus of mental health and climate change to heighten awareness to overcome the disproportionate attention to Persons with Disabilities.
Dr. Judy Kuriansky
“I had the pleasure of attending the event and it was spectacular. I had the great pleasure of seeing the IAAP logo among the sponsors. While the speakers, the entertainment, the fashion show, and the video were all great, Judy’s remarks relating mental health to the issues of environment change and disabilities put a spin on the proceedings that no one else in the room presented or could present. This made the event unique among the events related to the environment and disabilities at this UN proceeding. I am pleased that Judy was recognized by the people attending the meeting for her special contributions to its success."
Dr. Walter Reichman
IAAP is proud to be part of raising awareness about this very important topic, with the Ministry of Social Welfare of Sierra Leone, and our NGO partner, Gordon Tapper, Founder of Give Them a Hand Foundation. The Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Melrose Karminty, delivered a Plan of Action, important to bringing the efforts from talk into action.
From left, Mariatu Bangura (MoSW); Russell Daisey (IAAP UN rep); Finda Senesi (Sierra Leone Mission delegate); Manzu (famous singer); Minister Karminty; Dr. Judy Kuriansky (IAAP UN rep); Walter Reichman (IAAP UN rep), Montse Gonzalez-Alonoso (assistant); front: Juliet Aminata Scott and Jenna Wettstein (IAAP UN interns).
From left, Finda Senesi (Sierra Leone Mission delegate); Gordon Tapper (co-organizer and co-moderator); Hon. Melrose Karminty (Minister of Social Welfare); Dr. Judy Kuriansky (IAAP UN rep); Mariatu Bangura (MoSW’s Director of Social Services)
From left, Walter Reichman (IAAP UN rep), Jenna Wettstein (IAAP UN intern), Gordon Tapper (Co-organizer and co-moderator); Dr. Judy Kuriansky (IAAP UN rep), Russell Daisey (IAAP UN rep); Manzu (famous singer); Juliet Aminata Scott (IAAP UN intern)