Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy

News and Events

the ABILITY Event series

News and Events

The Zero Project

Feb. 2023A poster with a white background and black and green text that reads on the top line:“For a World With Zero Barriers, on the second line: #ZeroCon23, on the third line: Febrary 22-24, 2023, and on the bottom line: Independent Living & Political Participation, and ICT”. To the right of the text, a clip art of a green plant with three leaves.The Zero Project Conference – an annual disability inclusion gathering at the United Nations Office at Vienna – brings together innovators and key decision makers from all sectors to foster partnerships, share new proven solutions, and support the international scaling of these solutions, all towards the mission for a world with zero barriers. Through the CIDAD Teacher/Scholar model, St. Cloud State University faculty and graduate students have been able to participate in the Zero Project Conference since 2017. 

Drake China Symposium

Nov. 2022A blue and red poster with pops of yellow lines and borders titled, “U.S. - China Symposium at Drake University, November 17, 2022”.The first annual U.S.-China Symposium at Drake University convened during International Education Week 2022. The leadership team of St. Cloud State University CIDAD was invited to share presentations about inclusive diplomacy and the collaborative research and work with China through the partnership with the Harkin Institute.  

ABILITY Event Conference

Nov 1, 2022The ABILITY Event Goes Purple Conference 2022St. Cloud State University Rehabilitative Studies Programs and the Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy collaborated on hosting the first Purple Tuesday event on November 1, 2022 in the U.S. in partnership with SHL in Minneapolis. Purple Tuesday is a global social movement and the #1 brand for improving the customer experience for people with disabilities and their families 365 days a year.

CIDAD launched at Dubai Expo 2020

Dec 1, 2021CIDAD launched at the Dubai Expo 2020 St. Cloud State University announces the launch of the Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy at the USA Pavilion at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. The center’s mission is to promote the rights of people with disabilities both locally and globally. The center will serve as the hub for interdisciplinary collaborative research with faculty, domestic and international students, community members and visitors at St. Cloud State University.  

UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Dec 3, 2021United Nation International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 The St. Cloud State University CIDAD hosted an event at the USA Pavilion in the UAE at Dubai Expo 2020 to celebrate the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2021. This event was onsite and virtual for participants around the globe. People with disabilities from countries around the world shared powerful testimonies on how we all need to work together to implement and live into the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.