List of Participants

Australia
Mr. Frank Hall-Bentick, Disability Australia

China
Mr. Zhang Baolin, China Disabled Persons’ Federation
Ms. Li Dong Mei, China Disabled Persons’ Federation

Chinese Taipei
Mr. Robert Lin, Eden Social Welfare Foundation

Hong Kong SAR, China
Mr. Joseph Kwan
Mr. John Fung

Indonesia
Ms. Maulani A. Rotinsulu, Indonesian Disabled People’s Association

Japan
Mr. Akira Kodama, Preparatory Committee of Japan Disability Forum
Mr. Ryo Misawa, Preparatory Committee of Japan Disability Forum
Mr. Etsuko Ueno, Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities

Malaysia
Mr. Godfrey Ooi, Malaysian Federation of the Blind

Maldives
Ms. Ijazula Ali, Care Society

New Zealand
Mr. Graham McKinstry, Inclusion International, New Zealand

North Korea
Mr. Kim Yong Chol, Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled

Singapore
Ms. Judy Wee, Handicap Welfare Association
Mr. PT Lim, the Organizing Committee of APDF Conference, Singapore

South Korea
Mr. Hyung Shik Kim, Korean Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Mr. Dal-Yob Lee, Daegu University

Thailand
Ms. Suppattraporn Tanatikom

Vietnam
Ms Duong Thi Van, Bright Future for Persons with Disabilities
Mr. Nghiem Xuan Tue, National Coordinating Committee

DPI Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, Chairperson, DPI Asia and the Pacific Regional Council
Mr. Topong Kulchincut, Thailand

Inclusion International Asia and the Pacific
Mr. JB Munro, Coordinator of Inclusion International, Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Graham McKinstry

Rehabilitation International Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Ryosuke Matsui, Vice President for RI Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Benny Cheung, Deputy Vice President for RI Asia and the Pacific

A/P of the World Federation of the Deaf
Mr. Yutaka Ohsugi, Japan

Regional Women with Disabilities Network
Korean Lady?

Asia Pacific Work Center Network
Mr. Ichiro Maruyama, Japan
Mr. Akira Tateoka, Japan

Observers
Ms. Kay Nagata, UNESCAP
Ms. Penelope Price, Consultant to UNESCAP
Ms. Naoko Ito, Asia and Pacific Center on Disability

About 200 observers

Draft Minutes

The meeting was opened and a welcome was extended to all delegates by Ms Judy Wee, Chairperson elect of APDF.

Mr Matsui invited JB Munro to Chair the meeting.

JB welcomed each country in turn.

Mr Matsui introduced Mr. Akira Kodama, Representative of Preparatory Committee of the Japan Disability Forum to present a statement which includes the followings.

“Mr Kodama offered congratulations on the setting up of the APDF. He commented that the first AP Decade of Disabled Persons had seen an impressive effort towards the achievement of equal opportunities for PWD in each country of the region, but that new challenges arise and many issues were not solved by 2002. The extension of the AP Decade from 2003-2012 and the formation of APDF provide an opportunity to continue our efforts as a NGO community.

APDF must take the initiative to implement and monitor the BMF and must work for the successful achievement of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The activity towards this goal has been very positive in 2003 with the Ad Hoc Committee Meeting held in New York in June, and a series of meetings held by UNESCAP which resulted in draft text formulated in Bangkok in October, known as the Bangkok Draft. In order to expedite the development of the Convention there must be strong partnerships formed between Government and NGO community in each country, to lead us to the goal of a society for all. The monitoring mechanism must not be any less than it is for other conventions and must cover all the rights of PWD.”

JB presented a brief history of RNN and the role of NGO in the first AP Decade.
He emphasized that the work was not complete and that the joint tasks of implementing BMF and supporting the move towards a Convention must be pursued strongly. PWD need to be included in the Millennium Development Goals and consumers. APDF speaks for millions of PWD and on their behalf we must demand a change in policy that will bring betterment to each individual.

Agenda item 1: Approval of APDF Constitution

JB emphasized that in order for APDF to do this formal organization was necessary. The Constitution must be formally and democratically adopted. He reported that the draft had been formulated with wide consultation and that a preparatory meeting had been held on 25 November 2003, attended by delegates of many countries.

A drafting Committee was formed for the purpose of preparing a Singapore Declaration as an outcome of this historic meeting. (10 persons on drafting committee and Penny would act as rapporteur).

The Constitution was presented clause by clause, with discussion, minor amendments suggested and unanimously accepted, before formal adoption. There was some discussion on the need for gender balance in the Executive.

The Constitution was formally adopted at 11:20.

Agenda item 2: Election of Executive Committee Members

The meeting was informed that nominations had closed on 15 November 2003 and that no further nominations would be accepted.

The following Office bearers were elected unopposed:

Chair: Ms. Judy Wee, Handicap Welfare Association, Singapore
Vice Chairs: Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, DPI Asia and the Pacific Council, Japan
Mr. JB Munro, II Asia and the Pacific, New Zealand
Treasurer: Mr. Frand Hall-Bentick, Disability Australia
Secretary General: Mr. Ryosuke Matsui, Vice President of RI for Asia and the Pacific

Agenda item 3: Election of Working Committee Members

The following Working Committee chairs were elected unopposed.

Chairs of Working Committees

Convention: Mr. Monthian Buntan, Executive Member of World Blind Union
Research and Development Co chairs: Mr. Topong Kulchinkat, Regional Coordinator,
DPI Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Hyung Shik Kim, Korean Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Information: Dr. Joseph Kwok, Hong Kong Physically and Mentally Disabled Persons
Gender Issue: Ms. Supattraporn Tanatikom, ILP Co-ordinator
Fund Raising and Sponsorship: Mr. Godfrey Ooi Goat See, Deputy Director of Malaysian Association for the Blind
Conference Committee: Absent until the next Conference Venue is decided.

Agenda item 4: Decision on Secretariat.

Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities was decided unopposed.

Agenda item 5: Discussion on an Action Plan for 2004-2005

This agenda item was deferred

Agenda item 6: Discussion on Future Conference Venues

Brief discussion was held with South Asia and the Pacific raised as possible venues for he next APDF Conference.

Agenda item 7: Others

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 11:36am

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