The Official Launching Ceremony of the National Disability Strategic Plan (NDSP) 2014-2018 and the Fifth Anniversary of the Law on the Protection and the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was organized by the Royal Government of Cambodia through the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veteran and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) and the Disability Action Council (DAC) in Phnom Penh on 3 July 2014. The event was co-organized by Australian Aid, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), and the Persons with Disabilities Foundation. Among the co-sponsors include the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Attended by more than 3,000 participants, the event was presided by Cambodian Prime Minister H.E. Samdech Akeak Moha Sena Padey Decho Hun Sen who extolled the Plan as an effective tool in addressing disability issues. H.E. Mr. Vong Soth, Minister of MoSVY, kindly addressed APCD's contribution in Cambodia in relation to grassroot activities in partnership with the Government of Cambodia. The event also featured the official handover of the National Disability Strategic Plan to MoSVY.
APCD will continue to collaborate with the Government of Cambodia, persons with disabilities and their organizations, and other partners in line with the adopted NDSP 2014-2018.
Southeast Asia
APCD/JAIF Training on NHE Awareness and Advocacy, 3-4 July 2014
Rural market modification activities in Cambodia’s Kien Svay District
The APCD/JAIF Project, in collaboration with the Government of Cambodia, conducted the Training on Awareness and Advocacy for creating Non-Handicapping Environments (NHE) in Phnom Penh and Kien Svay District on 3 and 4 July 2014, which was capped by the launch of Phlov Thmey Market in Kien Svay District.
Led by the Project Steering Committee Members, the Training aimed at providing participants a better understanding of national disability laws, including the National Disability Strategic Plan 2014-2018 of Cambodia. It also taught them the steps in organizing disability awareness and advocacy events, as well as the creation of accessible rural markets.
The 15 Training participants consisted of Kien Svay Disabled People's Organizations (DPOs) members, rural market owners and managers, and local government officials. The participants also discussed in-depth plans for market modifications for a newly identified target rural market in Kien Svay Distric and took part in actual rural market modification activities.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/training-disability-awarenessadvocacy-cambodia-3-4-july-2014
Southeast Asia
CIAI/APCD Capacity Building Training, Phayao, Thailand, 21-24 July 2014
Capacity building training in Phayao province
The Centro Italiano Aiuti all'Infanzia (CIAI)/APCD "Community for All" Project conducted a Capacity Building Training for persons with disabilities and DPOs in Phayao province in Thailand from 21 to 24 July 2014. The Training focused on participatory planning and communication methods, and was attended by more than 25 participants.
Along with the Training, the CIAI/APCD Project also assisted in the establishment of DPOs and led discussions on the creation of various projects, including the setting up of poultry farms, which will generate revenue for DPO members.
The Project visited four Sub-district Administrative Organizations (SAOs) in Phayao province where they discussed extensively with SAO chiefs development projects for persons with disabilities, including empowering activities for persons with psychosocial disabilities and the building of new wheelchair ramps.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/ciai-apcd-project-capacity-building-training-phayao-thailand-21-24-july-2014
Southeast Asia
Study Visit of Independent Living and Mainstreaming for Persons with Disabilities in Africa Training Program, Bangkok, Thailand, 21 July 2014
Brief introduction by Study Visit participants
A one-day study visit for several African disability groups and organizations was hosted by APCD as part of their Training Program on Independent Living and Mainstreaming for Persons with Disabilities in Africa on 21 July 2014. The Training Program is supported by the Disabled People's International Asia Pacific (DPI AP) and JICA.
The Study Visit was aimed at introducing the participants to APCD's mission and vision, and to them about APCD activities on disability and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
The visit gave the 21 participants, which included visitors from Uganda, Sudan, and South Africa, an opportunity to tour APCD fully accessible facilities, including APCD training building accommodations and meeting rooms.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/study-visit-independent-living-and-mainstreaming-persons-disabilities-africa-bangkok-thailan
Asia-Pacific
Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN Cites APCD in Speech, 10 June 2014
United Nations logo
H.E. Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations highlighted APCD's important role in the disability field in a speech at the Seventh Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 10 June 2014.
In his speech, where he discussed the roles of civil society, international cooperation, and disasters in line with the goals of CRPD, the Ambassador presented APCD as a good example of international cooperation that bore fruitful results. He stated:
"Over 1,600 people from over 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region were trained at the Center since Japan started to extend its assistance to APCD in 2002. More than 50 percent of those who received training were persons with disabilities. After completing the training at the Center, many of them went on to take their own initiatives. For example, some persons with intellectual disabilities in Thailand organized a workshop to discuss the issues and solutions of persons with similar disabilities. Empowered by these activities, the first organization of persons with intellectual disabilities was launched in Thailand. The activities of this organization were later spread to Myanmar and Cambodia."
Reference
http://www.un.emb-japan.go.jp/statements/yoshikawa061014.html#nogo
