Africa-Press – Lesotho. The British High Commissioner to Lesotho, Her Excellency Anne Macro has encouraged citizens to take their time to visit the photo exhibition on Climate Change and Inclusive
Design in the Urban Planning of Lesotho, to contribute their ideas and express views through the available interactive voting station at Alliance Francaise.
This, she disclosed at RISE International Inclusive Design and Mindfulness of Climate Change in the Future of Urban Planning in Lesotho campaign launch yesterday.
Macro also expressed joy over supporting RISE with their efforts to promote understanding and improved practice on these important issues in urban design.
“Ensuring access for people with disabilities and that the Built Environment supports our efforts to combat
climate change are critical both for vulnerable individuals and our collective future,” she highlighted. This photo exhibition will be ongoing until 25th February 2022 at Alliance Francaise, giving citizens the opportunity
to express their views on inclusivity in Lesotho and issues of Climate Change through a voting station. The exhibition was paired with a discussion among the panel of experts between government officials,
professionals working in the Built Environment and organizations representing people with disabilities to reach solutions to combat Climate Change in the
Built Environment and to promote inclusivity in the urban planning of Lesotho. The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs Director of Housing Kabelo Lethunya stated that the
ministry recognizes that housing and urban development contribute to climate change and in turn, climate impacts on housing and urban development. Lethunya
emphasized that this connection is real, has potential adverse effects if unattended to and thus urged everyone to bear in mind that the greatest impact
of climate disasters both begin and end in cities. From the Disability Sector, Mojalefa Ntlatlapa indicated that there’s a huge challenge on most buildings in Maseru
as people with disabilities have not been able to enjoy the right to accessibility and inclusion in the built environment, products and design. He called upon built environment experts to consider accessibility and inclusion
of persons with disabilities in all the projects they are undertaking so as to leave no one behind. Amongst problems raised at the discussion were: new public schools and roads that do not accommodate people
living with disabilities. Zero access to water and sanitation in townships. Solutions suggested entail enforcement and compliance with policies and regulations, information dissemination on accessibility and inclusivity of
disabled people and every citizen taking action. Founder of RISE International Daniela Gusman said they were very excited to hear the opinions and suggested solutions
that came out of the event. She opined that by bringing experts and professionals with members of the public, they are hopeful the discussion and a month long exhibition will spark action among key stakeholders who can bring
about positive change in terms of legislation, implementation and creative solutions that will make Lesotho’s towns more accessible and ensure that Urban
Development is designed with Climate Change top of mind. It is at the same event where everyone who attended pledged to take action and be responsible towards Inclusive
Climate Change and Built Environment. RISE International is a non-profit social enterprise working towards a world where sustainable social enterprises
created by local entrepreneurs from low income countries are the norm. Through their professional network, RISE links aspiring social entrepreneurs to fundamental resources in order to fulfill their potential.
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