if you want to go to next topic, search ## Table of Content 1. Inspirational Speech by Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN 1.1 Dream Team Meeting for the “Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP)” 1.2 Uniqueness of IDPP 2. New Initiative on Disability: “Inclusive Business” Senior Officials’ Meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand 2.1 Key Outcomes 2.2 Bangkok Statement on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability 3. New Sub-regional Movement from South Asia Establishment of South Asian Disability Forum 3.1 Greetings from the Chairperson, South Asian Disability Forum 3.2 Islamabad Recommendations on Regional Networking and Collaboration in South Asia 4. CBR Asia-Pacific Network News 4.1 announcement 5. Thai Society Supporting Persons with Disabilities Affected by the Flood in Pakistan 6. Visit of Japanese Foreign Minister to APCD 7. Tentative APCD Activities 2010 8. What is it! 9. Our New Publications in October ## 1. Inspirational Speech By Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN The ASEAN Community is dedicated not only to achieve economic development and political stability or security, but also to achieve social progress and human development with inclusivity and with equity. Without inclusivity and equity, our community will be sitting on a very shaky and flimsy foundation because at the end of the day, any society, any community, any civilization will be judged on the basis of how you treat members of your society, your community, your civilization. So if a man, a woman, a girl, a boy with a disability is left out of the efforts of development, that society or community will be much less in its achievements and measurements of how well that society has performed. But who will speak for the people with disabilities, for the marginalized, for the children, for the women? Unfortunately, it is not a loud voice, not a powerful lobbying machine. That is why your group is important, and that is why the idea that you are contemplating- an educational institute that you are thinking of establishing - a graduate Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP)- is extremely important as this Institute can one day speak on behalf of persons with disabilities, and/or to train qualified spokesmen for them. In communicating with the public, you need something that would impress the public. Such a graduate institute is going to impress the public, that the issue has become recognized and legitimate, and that the issue has “come of age” on the ASEAN landscape. That will help me. That will help people in the ASEAN countries through their Ministries of social development and human security speak with confidence that this issue has been recognized at the highest level of some of the best institutions of learning here in ASEAN. So it is not just an issue of interest to some people, but it is an issue that will be defining our own achievement as a region and as an organization. I mentioned “Human Security” as part of the name of this Ministry as Social Development and Human Security which associate with APCD. Human security is a concept that Japan has promoted by establishing a Commission back in 2001 called the Commission on Human Security. It was endorsed by the Secretary General of the UN at that time, Mr. Kofi Anan, and co-chaired by Madame Sadako Ogata of Japan, who is now the President of JICA, and Professor Amartya Sen, a Nobel Laureate in Economics, who wrote a book called “Development as Freedom.” Madame Ogata comes from the background of protection because she spent ten years of her life as the Commissioner of UNHCR. For ten years her life was dedicated to protect people on the move, whether forced to cross a boundary, or looking for better opportunities in life, people in migration, or people who ran away from violence. Professor Amartya Sen comes from the intellectual tradition of understanding human development, the fulfillment of human potentiality. So there are two components in human security: one is protection, the other one is enhancement of capacity or empowerment. Your challenge for your mission here, I can see, coincides with the definition of human security, that is, protecting people from being violated, from being taken advantage of, from being left in the margins of our society and from being exploited. The worst form of exploitation is to be left languishing in the situation of no opportunity, no chance, no care, and no compassion. Then we try to enhance the capacity of people, teaching people to fish rather than giving them fish. Persons with disabilities have all the potential just like you and me, just like all of us. They are not disabled in everything. They may be disabled in their physical ability. They may be disabled in their hearing, but their minds work wonderfully. How can we zero-in and expand on the abilities that they have and develop those qualities rather than leaving them unattended and lost. There is no greater contribution to society that they could make. I salute your noble effort. I will join in your mission and I can assure you that with close cooperation with you, among you who represent various organizations from around the region, the cause for human development and human progress for the disabled and for marginalized people will be achieved and will be fulfilled. I don’t know if you can measure in percentage terms how much the people with disabilities, if trained, if given opportunities, if developed, can contribute to any country’s GDP. I’m convinced that they will make an impressive contribution to our Gross Domestic Product. If they can’t measure their contribution in the form of GDP, at least, they will be happier with their faculties being developed. They will feel more fulfilled with self-esteem, self-respect. Even that will already contribute to the overall Gross National Happiness*. I was just informed by his Excellency Dr. Tej Bunnag that this institution, APCD, was established as a symbol of mercy by His Majesty, King Bhumipol. In the year 2000, His Majesty was awarded a medal by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Foundation for his quality of mercy for his people. His Majesty took the initiative to establish a Foundation for the disabled in recognition of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was also disabled. At the same time, the Japanese government came up with the idea that such an institute should be established for the Asia-Pacific, and it was introduced in the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP, which is down the road from here; the Ministerial Commission issued a Resolution, and it was endorsed by the UN General Assembly. This Institute was established as a symbol of mercy from His Majesty the King with the support from the Government of Japan and the endorsement of the United Nations. So I’m here to say that your mission has taken more than just a human dimension; it is DIVINE. I wish you success. Thank you very much. *Gross National Happiness: The concept of gross national happiness (GNH) was developed in an attempt to define an indicator that measures quality of life or social progress in more holistic and psychological terms than gross domestic product (GDP). **The above is an excerpt from his speech. ## 1.1 Dream Team Meeting for the “Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP)” APCD Training Building, Thailand, 15 August 2010 The Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP), currently being established, is focusing on graduate education in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region to train experts and advocators on Disability and Public Policy. This initiative is being launched by The Nippon Foundation with APCD as the Secretariat and is supported by a core team of experts and a broader group called the “Dream Team” as advisor. ## 1.2 Uniqueness of IDPP By Dr. Derrick Cogburn, IDPP Project Manager (Associate Professor of International Relations, School of International Services, American University) There are a couple of things that are unique about IDPP. You can find one program on public policy and another program on disability. But this IDPP brings together disability and public policy in the same degree program, focusing on the ASEAN region. The second thing is that this program is based on an approach called “Cyber Infrastructure” which is basically using information technology to create a center without walls, or a school without walls. In this instance, persons with disabilities can participate in the IDPP program from anywhere in the region or anywhere in the world. Not only the students can come from anywhere in the region or anywhere in the world, but the faculty members who teach the courses can also come from anywhere in the world. We have made enormous progress so far since last-year’s meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. It was the first time the idea of IDPP’s initial founders was presented to a larger group of people. Among the Dream Team members, we have been getting to know each other. Even though the primary focus was face-to-face, much of the focus was on the virtual institute. Everybody has now embraced the idea of cyber infrastructure and cyber learning, and being able to use these tools to create a rich, robust high-quality learning experience for our students. In addition to the graduate program, there are also other elements of IDPP such as capacity-building training in specific areas, research in the region, as well as other kinds of outreach activities. The IDPP Project has been designed to sensitize the public and private sectors and other DPOs about these kinds of issues. We believe that IDPP can serve as a model for other institutes within the ASEAN member countries. ## 2. New Initiative on Disability: “Inclusive Business” Senior Officials’ Meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, 19 - 20 August 2010 Over 60 persons, including APCD government focal points and representatives of disabled persons’ organizations and the business sector, participated in the two-day regional meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability. One highlight of the meeting was to invite the business sector that has been successful in socially inclusive business development, an emerging trend in disability and development. Potential business representatives also participated in the meeting. ## 2.1 Key Outcomes 1. Adoption of the Bangkok Statement on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability A joint statement was adopted to confirm key findings of the 2-day meeting among representatives from senior government officials, disabled people’s organizations and the business sector. The Statement included the support for the establishment of a new regional Decade on disability in the Asia-Pacific region (2013-2022), and the promotion to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and disability-inclusive development. The Statement included the participants’ suggestion that UNESCAP and APCD should enhance their collaboration in preparing for the conclusion of the current Decade and in forging a set of priorities and plans for a new Decade (2013-2022). 2. Business Sector Initiating “Inclusive Business” as a New Strategy After SM Supermalls and Air Asia shared their good practices on “Inclusive Business”, roundtable discussion focused on “How to go beyond CSR”. In response to such emerging interest by the business sector, UN News as well as the mass media such as The Nation and Bangkok Post (leading English newspapers in Thailand) covered the topic of “Inclusive Business”. Moreover, a participant from the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce, in the roundtable session, offered a 3-page article in their magazine (October 2010 issue) to promote “Inclusive Business” among their members and network. This is a new initiative by the business sector. After the new approach had been presented and discussed by representatives from the business sector, government focal points in ASEAN countries, APCD’s training participants, UNESCAP and APCD, it was suggested that “socially inclusive business development” be one of the strategies for the new Decade (2013-2022). ## 2.2 Bangkok Statement on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability We, the senior government focal points on disability and business representatives from the region of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and implementers of community-based rehabilitation from 19 countries in Asia and the Pacific, participating in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)/Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) Senior Officials’ Meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand on 19 and 20 August 2010: Reaffirming the significance of the partnership between ESCAP and APCD in accelerating the promotion of further implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action and the Biwako Plus Five, as recommended in ESCAP resolutions 58/4 of 22 May 2002, 59/3 of 4 September 2003, 61/8 of 18 May 2005; Recognizing the importance of active governments’ participation in the preparatory process leading up to the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, as well as the participation of multi-stakeholders, including organizations of persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, as recommended by ESCAP resolution 66/11 of 19 May 2010; Hereby unanimously agree to recommend as follows: 1. ESCAP should proclaim a new regional Decade on disability (2013-2022) before the conclusion of the current Decade (2003-2012); 2. The prime focus of the new Decade should be the promotion of the ratification and the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and disability-inclusive development; 3. Strategic priorities for the new Decade should include “leadership development of persons with disabilities”, “the promotion of community inclusive and gender-sensitive development” and “the promotion of socially inclusive business development”; 4. ESCAP and APCD should enhance their collaboration in preparing for the conclusion of the current Decade and in forging a set of priorities and plans for the new Decade; 5. ASEAN members should provide a model of sub-regional cooperation and should work closely with the other four sub-regions of ESCAP in the implementation of the new Decade in Asia and the Pacific. Witnessed by Representative from Senior Government Officials: Baykham Khattiya, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Representative from Disabled People’s Organizations: Boonlert Surakittidech, Member, Association of Deaf Persons of Chonburi, Thailand Representative from the Business Sector: Annie S. Garcia, President, SM Supermalls, Philippines 20 august 2010 bangkok, thailand ## 3. New Sub-regional Movement from South Asia Establishment of South Asian Disability Forum More than 150 persons from Pakistan and other South Asian countries participated in the Regional Leadership Conference for Persons with Disabilities in South Asia organized by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education (the Government of Pakistan), Telenor Pakistan, the British Council, Sightsavers and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability. Various inputs regarding sub-regional collaboration were shared with a specific emphasis on resource mobilization in South Asia. In partnership with different stakeholders particularly the business sector, the presentations of the key speakers, panel discussion and the deliberations of the participants focused on “Inclusive Livelihood and Business Development”, “Leadership and an Accessible Environment” and “Sub-regional Collaboration in South Asia” which provided new perceptions of how to move forward in South Asia. One of the outcomes was the establishment of the South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) according to the Islamabad Recommendations adopted by the participants. Mr. Muhammad Atif Sheikh, President of STEP, has been selected as the Chairperson of SADF with the Secretariat to be located in Islamabad. Having been endorsed by the Government of Pakistan, APCD and other collaborators, SADF will work closely with various Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) and other NGOs in South Asia. An action plan for SADF will be developed for the next conference which is tentatively scheduled for Dhaka in May 2011. ## 3.1 Greetings from the Chairperson, South Asian Disability Forum South Asia is a diverse and densely populated area of the world with many cultural similarities and living patterns. The establishment of SADF aims to promote the growing concern regarding disability within the region, and further actions should be taken by all stakeholders including both government and non-government sectors in South Asia, ensuring that persons with disabilities are entitled to enjoy the same rights, privileges and opportunities as other citizens in South Asian countries. Through the Forum, Community-based Inclusive Development Programs will be promoted with sub-regional and regional networking and collaboration on a basis of South-to-South cooperation between governments, Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs), APCD, the corporate sector, international NGOs, sub-regional and regional agencies, UN agencies and other partners, ensuring that all types of development forums, networks, and coordination committees should encourage participation and representation of DPOs. mr. Muhammad atif sheikh ## 3.2 Islamabad Recommendations on Regional Networking and Collaboration in South Asia Recommendations: In line with the BMF and BMF Plus Five regarding sub-regional and regional cooperation and collaboration, adopted by UNESCAP, in addition to the discussion of post-decade activities at UNESCAP after 2012, we, the participants at the Regional Leadership Conference in Islamabad, hereby recommend: 1. To agree and endorse the establishment of “South Asian Disability Forum (SADF)” that networks various DPOs and NGOs in South Asia, regardless of the types of disability, to address a regional point of view in South Asia. In collaboration with governments, APCD, corporate sectors, international NGOs, sub-regional and regional agencies, UN agencies and other partners, SADF is expected to play a role to highlight a regional focus on the inclusion of persons with disabilities as a development priority. The Secretariat of SADF shall be located in Islamabad, Pakistan. 2. To encourage the governments in South Asia that have not signed and/or ratified UNCRPD to accelerate the process of ratification. As one of the key countries in South Asia, the Government of Pakistan shall accelerate its on-going process to ratify the UNCRPD. Furthermore, countries that have already ratified UNCRPD are encouraged to harmonize existing legislation and establish effective implementation and monitoring systems. 3. To develop a mechanism on regional collaboration in close cooperation with APCD from the perspective of South Asia in Islamabad. In consideration of the Government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education expressing their willingness to support such a mechanism, it shall include mobilization of available human resources, information and other resources in partnership with other governments, DPOs, corporate sectors, international NGOs, sub-regional and regional agencies including South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation (SAARC), UN agencies and other partners. Endorsed by Muhammad Athar Tahir, Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, Government of Pakistan Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability Muhammad Atif Sheikh, President, Special Talent Exchange Program Niaz Ullah Khan, Country Director, Sightsavers Affan Haider, Manager Corporate Communications, Telenor Pakistan David Martin, Director Pakistan, British Council ## 4. CBR Asia-Pacific Network News Our Focus in CBR in Cambodia by Mr. Kho Huoth Deputy-Director of Rehabilitation, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Cambodia In 2006, a coordination mechanism called “National CBR Coordination Project” was established by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY). In line with the National Plan of Action on Disability, our CBR policy includes 1) develop law and tools relating to disability to be used for Cambodians, 2) maintain sustainability by providing capacity-building on CBR and Disability for MoSVY staff, relevant Ministries and NGOs, 3) provide vocational training and income generating activities for persons with disabilities and their families, 4) raise awareness on disability through national and international activities, and 5) strengthen collaboration among persons with disabilities and their families, NGOs, the local government, MoSVY and relevant Ministries. New National Guidelines on CBR by mr. Ung Sambath Senior Program Coordinator on CBR and Physical Rehabilitation Disability Action Council, Cambodia In collaboration with MoSVY, the Disability Action Council (DAC) as a government body has been making a lot of achievements including laws, policies and regulations with regards to disability. On 19 August, 2010, the MoSVY, with financial support from UNICEF, organized a launching workshop on the Dissemination of National CBR Guidelines for Cambodia. Five components of the National Guidelines for CBR include Health, Education, Livelihood, Social and Empowerment. The launching workshop aimed to officially disseminate the Guidelines to be used as a map to give direction for effective implementation of CBR to meet the standards. The Guidelines are available in Khmer and English. Morever, “Sub-decree on the Employment Rate of Persons with Disabilities” was also adopted on 30 August, 2010 with support and efforts from all disability-related organizations at the community, national and international levels. DAC hopes to collaborate with international stakeholders including APCD more closely and effectively. Training as an Important Factor in the CBR Program by Ms. Faranak Tafrishi CBR Expert State Welfare Organization, Iran In implementing our CBR policy, the most useful and important component in our CBR program is training. The objectives of CBR strategies in Iran include to: 1) Raise commitment and awareness of the key policy-makers to support CBR and integrate it as part of all national development policies and strategies especially in health, education and livelihood, 2) Implement provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the community level, 3) Create awareness and capacity-building in communities about CBR through influential groups and persons with disabilities, 4) Assess the needs and capacities of persons with disabilities and resources within the communities and mobilize resources within and outside the community to address the identified needs through a participatory approach, 5) Facilitate collaborative work with/within the UN System and with Member States, academia, the private sector, and NGOs including organizations of persons with disabilities, 6) Ensure access and effective utilization of rehabilitation services, 7) Create sustainable monitoring, supportive supervision and an evaluation mechanism, and 8) Foster partnership and networking among all stakeholders including referral systems, mcommunication, sharing experiences, information and expertise. CBR as a Bottom-up Approach by Mr. Ravindra Solomans Department of Social Services Ministry of Social Welfare, Sri Lanka CBR has been highlighted in the National Policy on Disability for Sri Lanka which was approved in August 2003. It notes that the rights of persons with disabilities should be promoted and protected by including them in society and in the development and welfare programs at all levels of social organizations and civil administration. In Sri Lanka, CBR continues to be developed as a bottom-up approach with horizontal and vertical networks. Particular strategies of our CBR activities include to: 1) Support individuals and family members, 2) Share knowledge, skills, advice, counseling and information, 3) Promote social inclusion in the daily family and community environment, 4) Provide opportunities for each individual to develop his/her personality and potential to the fullest, 5) Form peer-groups, self-advocacy organizations and parents associations, 6) Develop 2-way channels for referral between individuals living at home, social development and community support systems, and 7) Reach all individuals in need with these strategies, whatever their disability, sex or age. ## 4.1 announcement ASIA-PACIFIC CBR CONVENTION Date: 13 November (Sat) - 15 November (Mon) 2010 Place: Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Second Asia-Pacific CBR Congress Date: 29 November (Tue) – 1 December (Thu) 2011 Place: Manila, Philippines (venue to be confirmed) ## 5. Thai Society Supporting Persons with Disabilities Affected by the Flood in Pakistan Pakistan changed from a water scarce country to a water stressed country. Over 20% of its land has been inundated. Although every possible help is being provided to affected people, the South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) and Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (DPI Pakistan) are more concerned with the relief and rehabilitation of those whose sufferings are doubled; persons with disabilities. On 27 August 2010, SADF and DPI Pakistan requested relief efforts from APCD. In response, APCD has been facilitating humanitarian support in close cooperation with the Thai Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy in Pakistan, DENSO International Asia, Wheelchairs And Friendship Center of Asia (Thailand), Thai Airways International, Aid to Asian Disabled Peoples’ Thailand, and the Pakistan Embassy in Thailand. On 30 September 2010, APCD organized a press event for wheelchair donations at the Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand). Stakeholders that participated in the event included Dr. Tej Bunnag (Chairperson, APCD Executive Board), Mr. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut (Secretary to the Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand), Mr. Sohil Mahhood (Ambassador, Embassy of Pakistan in Thailand), Mr. Pichai Chunganuwad (Managing Director, Cargo and Mail Commercial Department, Thai Airways International), Mr. Masao Suematsu (Executive Vice President, DENSO International Asia), Ms. Panjarat Chantrik (Manager, Aid to Asian Disabled Peoples’) as well as other guests. APCD appreciates all supports and efforts from the Thai Government, the Business Sector, Disabled People’s Organizations and NGOs in the disaster relief activities in Pakistan this time. ## 6. Visit of Japanese Foreign Minister to APCD Exchange with CBR Training Participants On 23 August 2010, Mr. Katsuya Okada, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kyouji Komachi, Japanese Ambassador to Thailand and other high-ranking officials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited APCD. Mr. Okada and the delegation met with the participants of “Training of Trainers on Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) through an Inclusive Development Approach” and observed the accessible environment of APCD’s administration and training buildings. After an exchange with training participants from Asia-Pacific countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste), a warm welcome was extended to Mr. Okada by Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of APCD Executive Board, Mr. Monthian Buntan, Senator / Member of APCD Executive Board, Ms. Huwaidiyah Pitsuwan Useng, Secretary to the Minister, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, APCD Executive Director. According to the Government of Japan, after Mr. Okada’s visitation, he shared his positive impression of APCD with Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand. ## 7. Tentative APCD Activities 2010 October 17-18 APDF General Meeting, Thailand October 19-21 UNESCAP Committee on Social Development, Thailand october 26-30 ASEAN-Local Government Conference, Malaysia october 27-29 African CBR Conference Abuja 2010, Nigeria November 13-15 Asia-Pacific Convention on CBR in Collaboration with WHO, CBR-AP Network, Malaysia november 16 Post-Workshop of Asia-Pacific Convention on CBR, Malaysia november 21-28 CBR Training for JICA Syria Project, Thailand december 13-15 ASEAN Autism Workshop, Thailand december 16-17 1st Autism Congress in ASEAN Countries, Thailand december 20-21 Workshop on Report of CRPD, Lao PDR ## 8. What is it! Community-based Inclusive Development is very important because persons with disabilities are involved in the development process. This can also facilitate the capacity-building efforts of persons with disabilities to move in a sustainable manner. The process is very practical since all key stakeholders can work closely to achieve one common goal: to improve the livelihood of persons with disabilities and make the development more inclusive. In order to eradicate poverty, all stakeholders should collaborate and work together in the same direction. Mr. Bouphamith Somvichith Officer for Disability and Ageing Management, Department of Pension, Invalid and Disability, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Lao PDR ## 9. Our New Publications in October Booklet: Achievements by Agents of Changes Report: Senior Officials’ Meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability Report: Blind Future Leaders’ Dialogue Brochure: Go Beyond CSR with Inclusive Business