High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012 in Incheon, Republic of Korea

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Government of the Republic of Korea jointly hosted the “High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012” in Incheon, Republic of Korea from 29 October to 2 November 2012.

The largest intergovernmental regional meeting on disability in Asia and the Pacific was attended by government ministers, senior officials and civil society leaders across the region to review the progress of the past decade.

The majority of persons with disabilities in the region are disproportionately poorer, disadvantaged and often discriminated against. Many governments in the region have implemented policies and/or measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. However, more actions are needed, including improving access for persons with disabilities to the physical environment, education and livelihood opportunities, promoting their participation in decision-making processes and gender equality for women and girls with disabilities, making disaster risk reduction disability-inclusive, and accelerating ratification and implementation by countries of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The outcomes of the meeting included the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, and the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.

According to the Incheon Strategy, “the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, which was established as a legacy of the first Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons to promote the empowerment of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, and a barrier-free and inclusive society, is called upon to continue building the capacities of persons with disabilities and multi-sectoral collaboration, with special attention to encouraging private sector engagement in disability-inclusive business that promotes disability-friendly products, services, employment opportunities and entrepreneurship development.”

In line with such endorsement in the Asia-Pacific region, APCD is determined to continue its efforts for more disability-inclusive society.

Reference:
http://www.unescap.org/news/asia-pacific-countries-review-regional-progress-promoting-disability-inclusive-development
http://www.unescap.org/news/escap-unveils-evidence-based-guide-disability-inclusive-policymaking-region
http://www.unescap.org/news/asia-pacific-governments-launch-new-decade-disability-inclusive-development
http://www.unescap.org/news/asia-pacific-countries-adopt-landmark-strategy-building-disability-inclusive-societies

Asia-Pacific

Launching the ESCAP-SASAKAWA Asia-Pacific Disability-Inclusive Business Award

Speech by Mr. Takeju Ogata, President of The Nippon Foundation

“Disability-Inclusive Business” is a core part of the business model and value proposition of a business case. It is not simply in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), neither charity nor donation.

In cooperation with The Nippon Foundation and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched a pioneering award scheme in Incheon, Republic of Korea on 1 November 2012. With this award scheme, it is expected that more disability-inclusive goods, services and employment opportunities would become available as business entities become more aware of the value of disability-inclusive business.

The first Award will be conferred in late 2013, marking the first year of the new Asian and the Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013–2022.

Reference:
http://www.unescap.org/news/united-nations-launches-asia-pacific-disability-inclusive-business-award

Pacific

Welcoming 2 Australian Volunteers International (AVI) Experts at APCD

AVI logo

It is our pleasure to inform you that two Australian Volunteers International (AVI) Experts have arrived and started working at APCD. Both Dr. Gabrielle Murray (Communication Advisor, Information and Knowledge Management Department) and Mr. Mark Morris (Disability Inclusive Development Officer, Community Development Department) are expected to work at APCD for around two years.