P1 “The Way Forward beyond 2012” with Partners With some 90 experts from all over the Asia-Pacific region, including an expert with a psychiatric disability, the “Expert Group Meeting-cum-Stakeholder Consultation to Review the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012: The Biwako Millennium Framework for Action” was held at UNESCAP in Bangkok, Thailand from 23-25 June 2010. Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, the Executive Director of APCD participated in the meeting. In the meeting, experts with different types of disabilities positively discussed various perspectives to enhance a practical consensus. Several government representatives from China, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea and Viet Nam also showed a positive attitude regarding a new Decade. The proposed purpose and primary focus of a new Decade include the key points listed below. Purpose and Primary Focus • Promote regional and international cooperation on good practices concerning the rights and needs of persons with disabilities; • Accelerate the ratification, harmonization and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Asia-Pacific; • Promote the implementation of the Convention in all subregions of Asia-Pacific; • Keep a strong national focus on the inclusion of persons with disabilities as a development priority; • Remove attitudinal, physical, institutional and policy-related barriers to increase the participation of persons with diverse disabilities in decision making, self-determination and human-centred development; • Strengthen multi-sector engagement and sustainability of resource allocations for disability-inclusive development; • Facilitate local, national and subregional tracking of Decade progress using measurable and achievable indicators; • Improve community-based services for diverse groups of persons with disabilities. (Source: UNESCAP) P2-P3 Perspectives towards Post-Decade Activities Support New Decade or Not? Why? Mr. You Liang, Director of Liaison Division, Department of International Affairs, China Disabled Persons’ Federation: Yes In line with CPRD, we hope to implement new-decade activities strategically, with specific achievements and measures especially for good operations. We can go ahead with partners. Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, Regional Chairperson, Disabled People’s International Asia-Pacific: Yes The objectives of last and current decades haven’t been achieved. For the realization of UNCPRD concept and its implementation, we need a strategic plan for the next decade. Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura, President, DAISY Consortium: Yes From a viewpoint of reasonable accommodation, fully accessible information and communication should be guaranteed for the new decade. Mr. Monthian Buntan, World Blind Union – Asia Pacific: Yes As a realistic approach, sub-regional mechanism should be focused. Particularly disability inclusive development should be the approach by taking all into implementation. Mr. Ichiro Miyamoto, Regional Director, World Federation of the Deaf, Regional Secretariat for Asia and the Pacific: Yes For the new decade, it is important to strengthen the monitoring system which DPOs have been conducting. Government and ESCAP need to strengthen monitoring as well. Moreover, it is important to address gender issues. Women with disabilities suffer from barriers and difficulties because of lack of information. Women need empowerment for self-advocacy. Mr. Osamu Nagase, Regional Coordinator, Inclusion International, Asia Pacific Region: Yes Issues of persons with intellectual disabilities and their family members should be further highlighted as we witnessed the actions and outcomes by APCD Project Phase 2. Mr. Setareki S. Macanawai, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Disability Forum: Yes In the last two decades, there was a big gap. With sub-regional platform, persons with all type of disabilities and their families can fully exercise their rights. Ms. Hitomi Honda, Disability Adviser, World Vision International: Yes We can be more specific to ensure that disability will not get lost and to further promote realization of CRPD and inclusion. Mr. Akira Terashima, Chair, International Committee, Japan Disability Forum: Yes We need such a new framework to negotiate with governments and other stakeholders. Mr. Khandaker Jahurul Alam, Chairperson, Asia Pacific Disability Forum: Yes Based on this CRPD, lots of actions can be done in the new decade. It is time for all stakeholders to start new initiatives. Mr. Tingyu Wang, Regional Representative, East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, Leonard Cheshire Disability: Yes In the last and current decade, there have been some achievements, but others remained. To promote the rights of PWDs further, we will need new framework. Mr. Sergey Puzin, Deputy Head, Research Institute of Occupational Health, Russian Academy of Medical Science: Yes In the last 2 decades, not all challenges haven’t been overcome. Results need to be improved. Dr. Hyung-Shik Kim, Professor, Division of International Cooperation, Korea University of International Studies: Yes There are still unsolved problems. We have to move forward to support society and to make CRPD in place. Mr. Barney McGlade, CBR Coordinating Officer, CBM To ensure the implementation of CRPD, we can use CBR for the inclusion of everybody, especially persons with disabilities. Ms. Noor Yasmin Abdul Karim, Chairperson, CBR Asia-Pacific Network: Yes With the new decade, there will be more implementations. We need such mechanism. Ms. Mega Irena, Senior Officer, Social Welfare Women Labor and Migrant Workers Division, Socio-Cultural Community Department, ASEAN: Yes The issue of disability needs greater attention and commitment of all stakeholders through concrete actions, resource allocation and closer partnership in the next decade. Ms. Emanuela Pozzan, Coordinator on Disability, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific: Yes It is an important framework for persons with disabilities to keep promoting their rights on an equal basis towards inclusive society. Mr. Filipe Jitoko, Social Policy Adviser, Pacific Island Forum Secretariat: Yes There are still a lot of things to be done in addition to achievements of the last 2 decades. Dr. Adisak Sattam, National Professional Officer (Monitoring and Evaluation), Office of the WHO Representative to Thailand: Yes Disability issue is not profoundly socially recognized as a need for treating disabled people so we need to promote awareness not merely physical needs, but also, psycho-social needs and economic needs as well. P4 Road Map Date Steps 23-25 Jun 2010 Expert Group Meeting-cum-Stakeholder Consultation 19-21 Oct 2010 Committee on Social Development May 2011 67th Commission Session Mar 2012 Regional Consultations: Discuss the Draft Outcome Document Oct 2012 High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons(Source: UNESCAP) A strategy for a new decade After group discussion among experts, strategy for a new Decade was summarized with further discussions to follow. These strategies include to: • Reflect evidence-based research findings; • Reflect on evidence-based research findings; • Embody the spirit and intent of the Convention; • Emphasize, in Decade action, gender equality and the inclusion of all groups of persons with disabilities that had hitherto been excluded from mainstream policies and programmes, including deaf persons, persons who are deaf-blind, persons with multiple disabilities, persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, persons with psycho-social disabilities, persons with higher brain dysfunction, persons with intractable diseases, persons with autism, and women and children with disabilities; • Support concrete and practical implementation that would yield tangible results; • Encourage the promulgation, implementation and review of anti-discrimination legislation to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities; Promote multi-sector, wide stakeholder and grass-root participation in fostering change for disability inclusive development; • Enhance the sustainability of more resource allocations, including through disability-sensitive budgeting, mobilization of corporate social responsibility and adoption of business models, such as social enterprise; • Promote networking and collaboration among disability-inclusive business enterprises; Emphasize the role of disabled people’s organizations in all processes concerning a new Decade; • Highlight the role of organizations of parents and families of persons with disabilities in relevant processes concerning a new Decade; • Ensure capacity development of persons with disabilities, including more effective advocacy; • Ensure capacity development of families and allies of persons with disabilities for more effective advocacy and support; • Use diverse approaches, for example, community-based rehabilitation and independent living, to empower persons with disabilities and accelerate the implementation of the Convention; • Address the need for stronger and more inclusive community-based development and rehabilitation; • Reinforce a paradigm shift towards a social model of consumer-driven, community-based service delivery and independent living; • Employ the use of accessible ICT as a tool for social change; • Promote the mainstreaming of disability perspectives in all policy domains, programmes and services; • Utilize subregional mechanisms, including ESCAP subregional offices, for Decade implementation. (Source: UNESCAP) P5 New Autism Movement initiated by CDSHOD Participants The 5th APCD Workshop for the Capacity Development of Self-Help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (CDSHOD) in January 2010 was the first one to focus on ASEAN regional collaboration as well as the first cross-disability CDSHOD with persons with a mobility disability, deafness, intellectual disabilities and autism. The participants shared their experiences of good practices in promoting SHOs and Inclusive Development. An idea to establish Autism Networking in the ASEAN region was proposed and informally agreed to by family members of the Autism community from Brunei, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. Common issues faced in each country were actively discussed such as a lack of information on technical assessment/intervention and collaboration with the central and local governments. It was proposed that the Network to be a platform to engage and empower all self-help organizations on autism working for an autism-friendly ASEAN region. ASEAN Autism Network Workshop 13-15 December 2010 Background: After the CDSHOD participants on Autism got to know each other in January 2010, they started contacting and supporting one another on their own initiative from a regional perspective. As the first practical step for this regional movement, Family Associations of Autism in 5 countries agreed to join a regional Workshop/Congress in December 2010 organized by APCD. Thirty family members of the Autism Community in the ASEAN countries are expected to participate. Purpose: The purpose of the workshop is to formally establish an Autism Network in the ASEAN region. It also aims to be a platform to share of knowledge and develop a regional support system on autism. Expected Outcomes: 1. Autism Network in the AEAN Region will be formally established 2. An Action Plan will be developed to implement activities at the national and international levels 3. A report on the ASEAN Autism Network Workshop will be publicized 4. A regional support system on Autism will be developed. Venue and Date: APCD training building, Bangkok, Thailand from 13- 15 December 2010. Tentative topics: 1. DAY 1 Establishment of an ASEAN Autism Network 2. DAY 2 Situational analysis of each country and region; develop an Action Plan 3. DAY 3Presentation of Action Plan and field visit to an inclusive school and vocational center for autistic persons in Thailand P6-P7 Sub: Masterpieces for Logo Contest A Logo Contest for the CBR AP Network was conducted as a springboard to create awareness of the Network among the 24 existing members, as well as potential member countries. It also opened an avenue for wider participation for sharing and synergy. There were 29 entries from designers from Asia-Pacific countries as well as other global regions. The CBR AP Network would like to thank everyone who submitted an entry for this meaningful activity. Through this contest, CBR AP Network could communicate internationally. On 14 June 2010, the Executive Committee (EC) chose the winning logo. Please see the attachment. In order to have the logo artwork as a masterpiece for all applicable uses, there will be some additional work done as needed and agreed upon by the EC Members. Concept of the Logo The overall shape is designed as a circle representing the globe, featuring Asia and the Pacific in the forefront. Encircling the globe are persons holding hands to raise awareness in the AP region, especially with young people, of the need and importance to promote the development of an inclusive society. The hands are to promote the participation of all the CBR approaches. Mr. Veeraphon Viroonkarn the winner from Nakorn Srithammaraj Province, South of Thailand Follow-up of On-going Activities Executive Committee Meeting 14 June 2010 at APCD Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand The CBR AP Network Executive Committee (EC) Meeting was held on 14 June 2010 at the APCD Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand. The main agenda was to monitor and follow up on on-going activities e.g. Plan of Action, publication of the 1st CBR Congress, CBR research and collection of good practices, and approaches for new members including major CBR events at the AP CBR Convention scheduled for November 2010 in Kuala Lumpur and the 2nd CBR Congress scheduled for November 2011 in Manila, the Philippines. Another important agenda was to select the best entry of participating logos to be a corporate identify of the Network’s communication. See the winning logo on page 6. Information of major CBR Events 1. The AP CBR Convention will be held from 13-15 November 2010 in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia. The theme is to promote an inclusive and sustainable development as well as introduce the new CBR Guidelines. A leading local DPO, CBR Network Malaysia will serve as the focal point of coordination. For details and more information regarding registration fees and other administrative matters, please contact the Network’s Secretariat at cbrapnetwork@apcdfoundation.org 2. A 2nd CBR Congress is planned preliminarily for 29 November – 1 December 2011 in Manila, the Philippines. The theme of the Congress is now being finalized. The coordinating team led by Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM) is preparing the Congress’s programs including other relevant administrative & logistic arrangements with partner organizations and the local government. For more information or inquiries, contact CBR AP Network’s Secretariat at cbrapnetwork@apcdfoundation.org P8 New Law on Disability in Vietnam Coming into Effect from 1 January 2011! With the following 10 Chapters consisting of 53 Articles, the National Assembly of Vietnam adopted a Law on Disability on 17 June 2010. The Vietnamese Law on Disability will come into effect on 1 January 2011. Chapter 1: General Regulations (14 Articles) Chapter 2: Determination of Types and Categories of Disability (6 Articles) Chapter 3: Health Care (6 Articles) Chapter 4: Education (5 Articles) Chapter 5: Vocational Training and Employment (4 Articles) Chapter 6: Culture, Sports, Entertainment and Tourism (3 Articles) Chapter 7: Accommodation, Public Projects, Transportation, ICT (4 Articles) Chapter 8: Social Protection (5 Articles) Chapter 9: Responsibilities of Government Agencies Relating to Disability (2 Articles) Chapter 10: Article of Implementation (3 Articles) According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, APCD’s Focal Point in Vietnam, there are several new perspectives included in this Law which: (1) Systemize the policies and regulations of the Government relating to PWDs with a rights based approach to PWDs recognizing disability issues and development (medical barriers as well as barriers in society); the Law creates favorable conditions for PWDs to participate fully in all activities of society to enhance integration into the community; (2) Receive, inherit and maintain regulations in the Ordinance on Disabilities 1998, relevant Regulations related to disabilities which are still appropriate and to amend inappropriate Regulations in order to ensure the feasibility of implementing the Law in accordance with socio-economic development levels; (3) Systemize the legislation, clearly regulating the responsibilities of the Government, families and society in removing barriers and providing favorable conditions for PWDs to participate fully in all activities of society; (4) The Law on Disabilities of Vietnam is consistent with the Convention on the Rights of PWDs and the legislation of countries in the region as well as globally; (5) Clearly reflect the increasing attention to promote information on education for persons with disabilities as well as monitor. Nguyen Xuan Lap (Mr.) Deputy Director, General Department of Social Protection, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs P9 Community-based Rehabilitation for Inclusive Development Since 2005, World Vision Vietnam (WVV) has joined the Network APCD to share experiences and practices, and seek capacity-building opportunities for staff. The “Training Course on CBR and Inclusive Development” organized in April 2010 for WVV’s staff and local partners in 8 districts in central Vietnam where WVV is implementing its Area Development Programs (ADP), was regarded as one of the important collaboration events of WVV and APCD. “CBR for Inclusive Development” is a new initiative of WVV and the training course in April was the first capacity-building event. Participants composed of WVV staff, local government officers, and persons with disabilities, will act as key resource persons in the central region to support WVV and the community to implement CBR practices and promote active participation of PWD in the development programs. The training has really raised the understanding of the participants with the new initiative. Action Plans developed by the groups of participants reflect their willingness to apply the new initiative. Some groups plan to create changes in the Awareness of the Community, Advocacy for Accessibility, Inclusive Education, and/or Self-help Groups of PWD. From the viewpoint of sustainable program management that WVV has experienced, it is crucial for us to raise awareness about disability issues in communities, especially among WVV’s staff and local partners. WVV and its ADPs are committed to address the issues related to disability through the social model of CBR to design programs and inclusive projects. Recognizing the importance of collaborating with APCD, we will continue this partnership with a second capacity-building event in the year 2010 as well as develop more collaboration in the coming years. Phuong, Nguyen Hoang National Disability Officer, World Vision Vietnam Developing 3 project proposals at the regional level The 2nd Follow up Workshop on Blind Future Leaders’ Dialogue (BFLD) organized by APCD held in Kuala Lumpur on 7-9 April 2010, was sponsored by the Nippon Foundation (TNF), and supported by the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB). Five Delegates from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam participated in the Workshop. The Network among key delegates, resource persons and organizers of BFLD was strengthened through this Workshop. All members mutually shared disability-related information which will be beneficial for future networking and collaboration. Outcome: 3 project proposals a) Strengthening the financial capacity and publicity programs of the Mitra Netra Foundation through publicizing professional-commercial-managed magazine, named “Diffa” b) ASEAN Fund-Raising Workshop for Blind Organizations c) ASEAN Employment Network for blind entrepreneurs (AENBE) P10 Positive Movement on Disability and Development in Myanmar A Workshop, Orientation of Stakeholders to National Plan of Action and Community- Based Rehabilitation was held in Myanmar from 10-14 May 2010. It was sponsored by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in cooperation with Leprosy Mission International (TLMI), APCD, UNDP, UNESCAP, and Christian Blind Mission (CBM). Key points shared with participants included the following positive news! Myanmar Government to Sign the CRPD In his opening speech, Mr. U Kyaw Myint, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, stated that the goverment plans to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the near future. In fact, the Government has been collaborating closely with UN agencies as well as NGOs on this matter. 1.3 Million Persons with Disabilities in Myanmar According to a survey conducted by the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in cooperation with TLMI, the number of persons with disabilities in Myanmar numbers approximately 1.3 millions persons or 2.6%. National Plan of Action and CBR Adopted in the Orientation Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) has been emphasized to facilitate activities relating to disability issues in Myanmar. In response to the presentation of the National Plan of Action and CBR by the Myanmar government representatives, Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director of APCD, shared the global situation of the disability movement and CBR matrix including empowerment and environment models which APCD has been promoting. TMLI, CBM and other participants utilized APCD’s CBR matrix in addition to the original by the World Health Organization. P11 APCD Activities Tentative APCD Activities for the next 6 months (July – December 2010) July 2010 6 - 9 Mission to the Philippines: Collaboration with ADB, Inclusive Business Development 18 - 21 Mission to China: Collaboration with CDPF and Sub-regional Collaboration 28 - 3Aug Mission to Pakistan: Leadership Conference and Promotion of Sub-regional Collaboration August 2010 14 - 16 Working Group Meeting on IDPP Project, Thailand 18 - 31 Regional CBR Training of Trainers for Asia-Pacific Countries, Thailand 19 - 20 Senior Officials’ Meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability in Collaboration with UNESCAP, Thailand September 2010 13 - 17 Mission to Indonesia: Collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and DPOs October 2010 19 - 21 UNESCAP Committee on Social Development, Thailand 28 - 29 Workshop on Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities/Autism, Thailand November 2010 13 - 15 Asia-Pacific Convention on CBR in Collaboration with WHO, CBR-AP Network, Malaysia 21 - 28 CBR Training for JICA Syria Project December 2010 13 - 15 ASEAN Autism Workshop, Thailand 16 - 17 1st Autism Congress in ASEAN Countries, Thailand P12 What is it! Our new section, “What is it!” will focus on “Community-based Inclusive Development” to introduce relevant terms from individual perspectives. Mobilization of local resources through networking and collaboration Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phuoc (Vietnam) / Mr. Renato Banaga Cada (Philippines) Persons with disabilities are part of the community. They have varied skills that can be used to participate in development. Besides, persons with disabilities are also persons that have the same rights as other members of the community. They have the right to a barrier-free society in order to be mainstreamed into society. But… If you are interested to learn more about the concept of “Community-based Inclusive Development”, please check our upcoming booklet on “CBR and Community-based Inclusive Development: Principles and Practice” which will be launched in November 2010.