Annex
IV
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TWGDC6/MINUTES UNITED
NATIONS Sixth
session MINUTES, Revised 15 December 2003
ANNEXES
1. The sixth session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWGDC) was opened by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNESCAP Secretariat, Ms Keiko Okaido. In her opening statement, Ms Okaido thanked participants for their attendance and acknowledged the difficult circumstances for travel. She extended a special welcome to the representatives from Afghanistan and Timor Leste and hoped that the collaborative relationships being developed with TWGDC would continue. 2. Ms Okaido stated that the meeting was an historic occasion, marking the first session held during the second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. TWGDC had made a strong commitment to implement, monitor and evaluate the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) which had been adopted at the Otsu High-level meeting in Ocober 2002. The agenda for the meeting required TWGDC to determine specific targets, focused on BMF, which could be achieved within the two-year time-frame of the current Thematic Working Group. 3. Ms Okaido wished the group every success in their deliberations, as they laid the groundwork for the future success of the renewed Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012. 4. The fourth session of the TWGDC was co-chaired by Mr Jerry Huguet and Ms Kay Nagata,Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division, ESCAP, and Mr Shoji Nakanishi, DPI A/P Region. Representatives of seven governments, UNESCAP, five United Nations bodies and specialized agencies and 26 non-governmental organizations participated in the Meeting, a total of 75 participants. The list of participants is attached as Annex I. 5. The TWGDC adopted the following agenda, but requested that agenda item 10 precede agenda item 7:
III. MINUTES OF THE SIXTH SESSION OF THE TWGDC 6. The minutes of the fifth session of the TWGDC, held at Bangkok on 10 December 2002, were adopted. IV. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 7. There was a query requesting information on whether any mechanisms for subregional coordination had been developed, and also whether any initiatives had been taken to encourage non-signatory member states in the region to sign the Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region. This matter would be discussed under agenda items 7 and 8. 8. The secretariat was complimented on the provision of documents in Braille, but it was recommended that Braille Grade 2 would be a more appropriate format. 9. Clarification was sought on the official status of the BMF. The secretariat reported that an edited and revised version was available on the fully accessible New Decade website. The document would be formally endorsed at the fifty-ninth session of the Commission, which had been postponed from 19-24 April to 1 – 3 September 2003. V. ADOPTION OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS. 10.
The Terms of Reference were adopted by the meeting, and will remain
in effect until 11. FAO congratulated UNESCAP for providing the opportunity for UN agencies to work so closely with NGOs. TWGDC was an important committee with a solid commitment to implementing BMF. FAO was a strategic partner enabling disabled persons to participate in development in rural areas. VI. AGENDA ITEM 10: TASK FORCE ACTION REPORTS 12. Brief reports were presented from the seven Task Forces listed in the agenda. Full Task Force reports are presented in Annexes 2 – 8. 13. Information and Communications Technology (ICT). It was reported that accessibility guidelines established at the ICT Accessibility Seminar, held in Bangkok in June 2002, were fully incorporated into the BMF. The Task Force reviewed national level progress in BMF implementation, and reported on activities connected with the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). The Asian and Pacific region had made the only input with reference to disability. Recommended text was submitted for addition to the proposed draft content for the international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. (Refer to ICT TF Report, para 7, Annex 2). Some discussion was held on how ICT infrastructure can be enhanced in post-conflict reconstruction. Suggestions were made on some additional features which would enhance the accessibility of the UNESCAP Decade and EGM websites. During discussion it was reported that the prototype of a low-cost voice output communication aid was being developed in India, and would be made available throughout the region. The importance of low-tech developments was emphasized, because of the current nature of the digital divide. APCD reported that they were promoting information accessibility in the ICT area and would be conducting training in web networking and collaboration. 14. Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities (EFA). The Task Force reported that it had obtained membership of the Subregional Forum Thematic Working Group on EFA, and that this was a valuable platform for advocacy to UNESCO, UNICEF and other agencies. The Task Force had written to UNICEF protesting closure of the focal point on disability. A paper on the education of children with disabilities had been presented to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Meeting of Ministers of Education in December 2002. Dr Pupulin of WHO reported on the meeting held in Helsinki in May on the future of Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR), and also on a project to develop a scientifically validated screening test for early detection of infants and young children with disabilities under the age of 3 years. The Task Force expressed its appreciation for the support and contribution of Dr Pupulin. Timor Leste had reported the extremely difficult situation for children with disabilities, and their need for support from within the region. The Task Force had reviewed its purpose and had agreed to strengthen the information sharing and networking function, to continue its advocacy role, to consider concrete action to support implementation of BMF and to obtain local level information on activities being undertaken to implement inclusive education within the region. In discussion, the importance of linking education and health with community based approaches (CBR), and promoting leadership of persons with disabilities in the community was emphasized. 15. Employment. The Task Force focused on developing an action plan to promote implementation of the BMF. Aspects of the action plan included: participants to commence dialogue with their Governments and Departments of Labour in order to initiate action such as ratification of ILO Convention 159 and follow-up after ratification; establishment of an e-mail network for information sharing and expertise exchange; investigation of systems not aware of persons with disabilities, such as volunteer organizations, to promote work opportunities; to build strategic partnerships to develop opportunities for persons with disabilities in rural areas. 16. Timor Leste and Afghanistan. The meeting was attended by two representatives from Timor Leste and four persons from Afghanistan, headed by His Excellency Mr Wardak, Ministers of Martyrs and the Disabled. Timor Leste has a new Constitution which contains two clauses about the rights of persons with disabilities. Afghanistan is currently drafting a new Constitution which may lead to the establishment of a national disability council. Training of persons with disabilities is a most urgent need in both countries, in addition to the development of disability policy and legislation. Both countries have requested technical assistance from UNESCAP. Timor Leste has conducted a survey, with assistance from Rehabilitation International, Asia-Pacific, and a number of INGOs are active. A local NGO, Katilosa, is working within a CBR framework, but needs support to strengthen its activities. Afghanistan has high numbers of persons with disabilities and no data, training, education, accessibility, or rehabilitation but the Government is very committed on disability issues. A number of INGOs are planning work in Afghanistan, including World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), and DPI Asia-Pacific. The latter will hold national leadership training in August 2003. An organization of persons with disabilities who run a wheelchair factory in Thailand has donated 100 wheelchairs. WFD works through national counterpart organizations and responds to requests for assistance. Internet contact is an important means of communication. 17. Self-help Organizations (SHOs). This was the first meeting of TF SHO. As background to the new Task Force, documents from the Agenda for Action of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, Gender dimensions of the Agenda for Action, outcomes of the first Decade, BMF and the concept chart of APCD were discussed. Progress had been made during the first Asian and Pacific Decade but the challenge was sustainability and ensuring cross-disability representation. The importance of empowering persons with disabilities through SHO development was emphasized. APCD reported that this was a priority area with training planned annually for a five year period. It was recommended that advocacy be made to subregional bodies, with advocacy to include issues of persons with disabilities in their agenda. (SAARC, ASEAN, PIFS, APEC). Inclusion International described the difficulties faced by small, impoverished Pacific island countries such as Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. 18. Women with disabilities (WWD). This was the first meeting of the TF on WWD, a new issue and arguably the most important in the BMF, because it had suffered from neglect for so long. Discussion focused on the targets of BMF, and reports on the current situation in countries of the participants. Suggestions for action at local level were made to ensure that families and society were aware of the equal rights of WWD. WWD had not been active in the Asian and Pacific region. They lacked ICT skills and education. There was a need to seek assistance from regional agencies. The Task Force would welcome resource persons to attend future TF meetings. APCD reported that there was a WWD website within the APCD website. DPI A/P reported that they have held two leadership training workshops for WWD, that a network has been formed but needs support and strengthening. 19.
International Convention to Promote and Protect the Rights and Dignity
of Persons with Disabilities. This was the first meeting of the
Task Force on the International Convention, and most participants
had attended the Expert group Meeting on the Convention, held prior
to TWGDC meeting. The status of the recommendations had been clarified
by the secretariat. The report of the EGM had been placed on the
UNESCAP website. It was suggested that hard copies be sent to Governments
in the region. Ms Akiyama would attend the Ad Hoc Committee meeting
to be held in New York in June 2003. Discussion was held on the
role of the Task Force in the future elaboration of the Convention.
Dissemination of information to country level was important and
the Task Force welcomed the offer of UNESCAP to maintain the website
on the Convention for a three-year period. (http://www.worldenable.net/bangkok2003/).
The representative of OHCHR had recommended that cross-training
be undertaken between SHOs and National Human Rights Institutes.
It had been recommended and endorsed that the Task Force become
a permanent structure until the end of the second Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons. Discussion was held on the proposed
date for the next meeting of the Task Force, with a recommendation
that it be held before the UNESCAP Intergovernmental Meeting scheduled
for November 2003 in Beijing. VII. DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC TARGETS OF THE THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS, 2003-2004, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BMF. 20. It was agreed that agenda items 7 and 8 would be addressed concurrently as they were integrally related. As introduction to these agenda items the secretariat made a powerpoint presentation highlighting the recommendations made by TWGDC in their evaluation of the role of UNESCAP in the implementation of the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. It was explained that TWGDC has the task of setting specific targets achievable within a 2 year time frame, in keeping with its 2-year sunset clause. At the end of the two-year period it will be necessary for TWGDC to evaluate its achievements. 21. Extensive discussion took place. Priority areas of BMF were suggested but it was acknowledged that all were key areas, and that it was necessary to set achievable targets. It was noted that national priorities differ but there was strong support for widespread dissemination of BMF to Governments, SHOs, NGOs and other non-state actors, and that it should be translated into local languages where possible. Additional recommendations included emphasis on the disability dimensions of the Millennium Development Goals, with advocacy to ensure that they are included in the reporting of progress towards poverty reduction by international agencies, including UNESCAP; development and implementation of a proactive mechanism to engage all non-signatory member States in implementation of the BMF and activities of the second Decade; the development of strategic partnerships with regional and subregional agencies such as ASEAN, SAARC, SEAMEO, PIFS, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, INGOs, NGOs, SHOs and other interested members of civil society including human rights organizations, to achieve impetus for the implementation of BMF within the region. 22. Inclusion International made a specific proposal to undertake research to identify existing legal provisions in priority areas of BMF, in member countries of the region. It was envisaged that a database would be compiled as a baseline at the beginning of the Decade which would then facilitate the evaluation of progress at intervals throughout the Decade. It would act as a resource for UNESCAP member states, providing models for new and amended legislation. Initial data collected from Internet search would then be verified at national level. The proponents asked for and received a mandate to proceed with this work as part of action towards implementation of BMF. 23. APCD advised that they would be developing a regional database, promoting BMF and information sharing within the region. APDF reported that they were undertaking a survey about awareness of the Decade within the Government of Japan. TWGDC supported both these initiatives. 24.
The members thanked UNESCAP for disseminating the information obtained
from the survey conducted in December 2002, and praised their efforts
in presenting the findings and recommendations. It was agreed that
further discussion on targets for action by TWGDC would be deferred
to the seventh session. It was confirmed that there had been concensus
on: VIII. REPORT ON THE REGIONAL MEETING AND WORKSHOP ON AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, HELD IN BANGKOK, 2-4 JUNE 2003. 25. Agenda item 9 was not discussed owing to time constraints. 26. Date of seventh session of TWGDC. Agreement was reached that this would be scheduled for 1-2 December 2003. It was agreed that if the Task Force on the Convention needed to meet before this date then they would do so independently of the TWGDC meeting. 27.
APDF. It was reported that the interim committee of APDF had held
two preparatory 28. UNESCAP Decade home page addresses. The secretariat had disseminated the addresses of the Decade home page. BMF was on the webpage. The secretariat reported that it was planned to improve accessibility of the website. JSRPD reported that they would cooperate to disseminate BMF and the secretariat suggested that JSRPD should link to BMF. Web
page addresses: 29. TWGDC expressed their appreciation of the chair and co-chair. 6 June
2003 5-6
June 2003 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS AFGHANISTAN HE Mr Abdullah Wardak, Minister of Martyrs and Disabled, Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled, Kabul MALAYSIA Mr MD Rashid bin Ismail, Director, Division of Rehabilitation, Department of Social Welfare, Kuala Lumpur Mr Muniandy Vengidasalam, Assistant Director, State Welfare Department, Perak JAPAN Ms Mayuri Hirata, Special Assistant to the Permanent Representative to ESCAP, Embassy of Japan, Bangkok Mr Naoki Ikuta, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Bangkok PAKISTAN Mr Abdul Shakoor, Director/Principal, Al-Ghazali Special Education Centre for Physically Handicapped Children, Islamabad Mr Muhammad Shafi, Senior Teacher, National Institute of Special Education, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad THAILAND Ms Saranpat Anumatrajkij, Social Development Officer, Office of the Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok Ms Sunee Saisupatpon, Social Development Officer, Office of the Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok Mr Pat Watanasin, Social Worker, Office of the Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok Ms Suthida Chuthamas, Social Worker, Office of the Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) Mr Akiie Ninomiya, JICA Chief Adviser, APCD, Bangkok Ms Naoko Ito, APCD, Bangkok Mr Hisao Chiba, JICA Expert on ICT, APCD, Bangkok TIMOR LESTE Mr Amandio Amaral Freitas, Acting Director, Division of Social Services, Secretariat of State for Labour and Solidarity, Dili VIET NAM Mr Nghiem Xuan Tue, Deputy Director, International Relation Department, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Hanoi Mr Ha Thanh Que, International Cooperation Officer, International Relations Department, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Hanoi ___________________________
United
Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Mr Wim Polman, Rural Development officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok Ms Johanne Hanko, Technical Specialist, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Bank Ms Minna Juyun Hahn, Operations Officer, World Bank, Bangkok World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Enrico Pupulin, Chief Medical Officer, WHO, Geneva NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Afghan
Independent Human Rights Commission Asia
and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) Ms Etsuko Ueno, Secretariat, Japan Australian Council for Overseas Aid Disability Development Working Group Ms Mary Read, Member, Australian Council for Overseas Aid Disability Development Working Group, NSW, Australia Australian
Council of Rehabilitation Organizations on Disability (ACROD) Mr Jason Mckey, ACROD, and Manager, Job Placement Ltd., Queensland, Australia Centre
for Disability in Development (CDD) Mr Nazmul Bari, Deputy Director, CDD, Dhaka Comprehensive
Disabled Afghans’ Programme Disability
Australia Mr Graham Smith, Secretary, Disability Australia, Victoria Ms Haines Ruth Lauren, Personal Assistant to Mr Frank Hall-Bentick, Disability Australia, Victoria Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) Mr Shoji Nakanishi, Regional Chairperson, DPI-Asia Pacific, Tokyo Mr Setareki Seru Macanawai, Vice Chairperson, DPI Asia/Pacific Region (Oceania Subregion); President, Fiji Disabled People’s Association, and Headteacher, Fiji School for the Blind, Suva Mr Topong Kulkhanchit, Regional Development Officer, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Mr Netsu Yoshiaki, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Mr Prayat Punongong, Vice Chair for South East Asia, DPI, Khon Kaen, Thailand Ms Prapanrat Kochasena, Project Assistant, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Ms Supattraporn Tanatikom, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Ms Janjira Ekareechit, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Ms Puangpaka Janyawong, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Ms Piyanan Kemmuenwai, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Mr Teerayuth Sukhonthavit, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Ms Tanapa Wannametee, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Mr Kittichai Neatpisarnvanich, Volunteer, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Ms Aranya Sutthikul, Assistant to Mr Kittichai Neatpisarnvanich, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, Nonthaburi, Thailand Ms
Puangpetch Limpisuree, Sign Language Interpreter, DPI Asia Pacific
Regional Office, Disabled Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA) Ms Farida Yesmin, Executive Director, DRRA, Dhaka Foundation for the Employment Promotion of the Blind (FEPB) Mr Pecharat Techavachara, President, FEPB, Bangkok Ms Amphorn Tecavachara, FEPB, Bangkok Handicapped International (HI) Ms Duangkamol Ponchamni, Country Director, HI, Bangkok Hilton/Perkins Program (HPP) Mr J. Kirk Horton, Regional Representative, HPP, Bangkok Inclusion International Mr Graham Bryce McKinstry, Legal Consultant, Inclusion International, Tauranga, New Zealand Jesh Foundation Mr Enam Hoque, Chairman, Jesh Foundation, Dhaka Japanese
Society for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD) Klibur
Aleizadus Timor Loro Sa’E (KATILOSA) Lao Disabled People’s Association (LDPA) Mr Singkham Takounphak, President, LDPA, Vientiane Ms Xuoukiet Panyanoung, Secretary General, LPDA, Vientiane Mr Michael Boddington, Advisor, LDPA, Vientiane National Association of the Deaf in Thailand (NADT) Ms Panomwan Boontem, NADT, Bangkok Mr Yasutaka Fujita, NADT, Bangkok Ms Malinee Chandrathitaya, NADT, Bangkok National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) Mr Jahurul Alam Khandaker, President, National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled, Dhaka National
Human Rights Commission of India New Zealand Human Rights Commission Mr David Peirse, Solicitor/Policy Analyst, New Zealand Human Rights Commission, Auckland, New Zealand Parents Association of the Intellectually Impaired Ms Phoranee Louineau, President, Parents Association of the Intellectually Impaired, Bangkok Thai Association of the Blind (TAB) Mr Monthian Buntan, Director, Technology, International Relations and Human Resource Development, TAB, Bangkok The
Roi – Et Education and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind Ms Machiko Takagi, Sign Language Interpreter, Tokyo Mr Yoshimi Hida, Sign Language Interpreter, Tokyo Ms Tomoe Nakagawa, Interpreter
Ms Keiko Okaido Deputy Executive Secretary _________________ Mr Cengiz Ertuna Chief, Emerging Social Issues Division Mr Jerrold W. Huguet Chief, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division Ms Kay Nagata Social Affairs Officer, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division Ms Aiko Akiyama Project Expert on Disability, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division Ms Penelope Price Consultant, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division __________________
Mr Christian de Sutters Chief, Conference Services Section, Administrative Services Division
Annex
2 Draft Minutes of 6th ICT Task Force Meeting Chaired by Mr. Monthian Buntan, TAB
1.
Opening 1.
Opening 3.
Adoption of Minutes of the previous meeting (1)
ICT Accessibility Seminar for persons took place in Bangkok Last
June and ICT accessibility guidelines were established. Those guidelines
were fully incorporated in the heart of F BMF. (1)
Evaluation of UN ESCAP website and the Resources CD containing all
the materials related to the Expert Group meeting and Seminar on
an International Convention on the right of persons with Disabilities
held on May 2-4 2003
5.1
From the chairperson Access Conference organized in Manila, Philippines in last March and it came up with the resolutions. Gender and ICT Conference which was originally scheduled to be held in May 2003 was postponed because of SARS situation although Mr. Buntan was asked to join it. Thailand Being
added the same sentence as that of BMF made the amendment of Thai
Rehabilitation Act; DAISY for All Project targeted to 36 countries in developing courtiers initiated by DAISY Consortium has been Launched from this year and Thai and India were chosen to be the first focal points of those countries. Web-based Networking Workshops organized by APCD in cooperation with UN ESCAP form July 21 to August 1 targeted to 10 developing countries. International DAISY trainers’ training up took place in Bangkok for up to10 people who will commit themselves to become trainers of the production of DAISY software in developing countries sponsored by DAIY for All project from August 2 to 5 2003. 5.2 From each participant UN
ESCAP Afganistan Japan An
open Source Development of Adaptive Multimedia Information Systems 6.2 Updates on WSIS The chairman informed the meeting the list of events concerning the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). The following sentences were taken from an Expert Group meeting organized by UNESCO on May 20-21, 2003 in which Mr. Kawamura and Mr. Buntan participate. The meeting discussed, made some minor modification and agreed to submit such paragraph to receive endorsement by the TWGDC Meeting: “New
42 The way in which ICT is designed and developed will determine its inclusiveness and accessibility if the information society is to become the society for all. Therefore specific needs and requirements of all stakeholders such as [especially] those with disabilities must be included at the earliest stage of design, development, production and evaluation of ICTs. “ 7 Recommendation
8.1
Regarding the issue about how International donors and organization
provides assistance to developing countries, specially post-war
countries in allocating and providing ICT development, a statement
will be drafted by this taskforce and will be submitted to relevant
organizations, such as the World Bank, ADB, etc.
2. Ms. Akiko Akiyama, ESCAP 3. Mr. Ahmad Zia Langri, Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), Afghanistan 4. Mr. Mohd Ihsan Faiz , Assistant teacher of special education for the blind, Afghanistan 5. Mr. Pecharat Techavachara, Foundation for the Employment Promotion of the Blind 6. Mr. Yoshiki Yasuzato, Legal Adovocacy for the Defense of People with Disabilities 7. Misako Nomura, Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Annex
3 MINUTES Meeting
Room D, UNCC Attendees: See attached list Apologies:
Ms Debra Perry The Chairman (Mr. Jason McKey of Australia) opened the meeting and welcomed all present. He acknowledged that Debra could not be present as she is in Geneva. Participants each, in turn, introduced themselves and stated their interest in vocational issues for PWDs in the region. The Chairman acknowledged that the past progress of the working party has been limited. He indicated a desire to initiate real action and called for the cooperation of all present. He also included entrepreneurship and self-employment in his opening remarks. The suggestion was made to use the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) document as the basis for the discussion. It was pointed out that many of the tasks/targets in the BMF document are aimed at Governments. Suggestions for actions were called for: 1) For participants to commence dialogue with their Governments (Labour Departments) aimed at initiating action. Question was posed as to who had signed up to the BMF document. Ms Kay Nagata stated that a little over 70 countries in total had signed. However, only 9 countries in the region had become signatories. Countries which had not signed were excluded at this state. Reference was made to ILO Convention/159. Problems and issues regarding the Convention and ratification were canvassed. The limitations of the discussion at Otsu in 2002 were noted. Kay observed that 159 is a Convention and once ratified becomes binding. It dates back to 1983 and includes a call for employment promotion measures. Grants, quota systems, subsidies and tax concessions have also been highlighted as devices available to stimulate action. Recommendation 169 contains the guidelines to meet the Convention. The 9 countries (out of a possible 43) in the ESCAP Region have ratified the Convention. Seven in the ILO region, which contains 26 countries (the ILO and ESCAP have different regions) have ratified the Convention. The Chairman noted that action could be initiated notwithstanding what appears to be a low number of ratifications. However, there was also a call for continued action to get non-ratifying Governments to ratify the Convention, even at this late stage. The ILO has come up with limited financial assistance opportunities for a limited number of countries. Others who can put up a good case for assistance should not hesitate to forward a proposal to Debra Perry although there is no guarantee that the ILO can assist. The Chairman questioned how those present could share their expertise to bring about progress. A central repository for information was called for. It was suggested that Debra’s office might be appropriate. It was recognised that the ILO office in Bangkok is under resourced and a technological approach would be more appropriate. After discussions it was agreed that an email group focusing on the employment task force be developed. The group is to be developed by mid June. Jason agreed to develop the email group as Frank Hall-Bentick will be away until late July. It was also noted that Governments are not necessarily the key source of action. NGOs are often as effective in bringing about change. Statutes and regulatory measures applying in Viet Nam were cited as an example of effective, enabling legislation. The Chairman referred to Debra’s paper regarding Capacity Building, which operates at the NGO level. Copies will be distributed and included in the first email to the group. It was suggested that NGOs have expertise that can be shared but how can it be resourced? Kay Nagata pointed out that resources are severely constrained and we will have to rely increasingly on technology solutions. However, these are limited as solutions for developing countries with significant rural populations. FAO endorsed that need for practical training programs and strategic partnerships. It was also stated that a target has to be local trade promotion that includes PWDs. Australia and New Zealand, it was suggested, should be playing a major role. This needs to be carried forward to the TWG. This is in addition to the lobbying of Governments in respect of ILO/159. Frank Hall-Bentick also mentioned the use of formal volunteer programs and the extent to which these could possibly be utilized. For example, Australian Volunteer International might agree to a new stream of volunteer assistance aimed at improving vocational opportunities for PWDs. It was mentioned that Japan and New Zealand also have well developed volunteer programs. The suggestion was made that meeting participants could contact the Embassies of these countries to get further information. FAO mentioned an organization in France that organizes retired experts being matched with overseas projects with which they could assist (contact Ms Johanne Hanko). FAO moreover recommended that delegates seek to persuade their Governments to approach FAO to seek monetary and other assistance, which is available. Projects aimed at PWDs in rural areas that create new opportunities and capacities are fundable. A number of country situational reports were given, including Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan and Thailand. The post conflict situation in Afghanistan was of particular note. The
representative from Laos discussed the issues facing people with
disabilities in his country. An offer was made from the representative
from Thailand to assist in training people with disabilities to
learn massage therapy. This has been a successful device to enable
employment. ACTION
BY Whom BY When List of Participants for Task Force Employment Name Organization E-mail
Annex 4
TWGDC6/TFEDUC/MINUTES ENGLISH ONLY UNITED
NATIONS Fifth
session DRAFT MINUTES
1. The fourth session of the Task Force on Education for all Children and Youth with Disabilities was opened by Ms Penny Price. Apologies were presented for Mr Bill Brohier, Co-cordinator, who was unable to attend the session. The session was attended by 24 members, including 5 government representatives, and representatives of UNESCAP, UNESCO and WHO and World Bank. II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 2.
The following agenda was adopted: B.
Report of TF EFA activities 2. Advocacy to UNICEF protesting closure of focal point on disability. A letter had been written to Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF, requesting continued attention to the issue of disability and the rights of children with disabilities to equal access to education. 3. A paper on the education of children with disabilities had been presented to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Meeting of Ministers of Education, December 2002. The paper had been prepared jointly by ESCAP Pacific Office, ESCAP Disability programme, and DPI Oceania. 4. Meetings are planned with relevant UN and other agencies to discuss collaboration in implementation of BMF targets on early detection, early intervention and education. 5. Close communication with Judy Heumann, Disability Adviser to World Bank, on World Bank research into situation of children with disabilities and professional development for inclusive education. Research undertaken with a view to providing guidelines for most effective forms for projects of World Bank to take in promoting the education of children with disabilities. C.
Presentation by Dr Pupulin, WHO, on early detection of children
with disabilities UNESCO Parent
groups Roi
Et Education and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind in Thailand Malaysia DRRA
Bangladesh NFOWD
Bangladesh Pakistan World
Bank World
Federation of the Deaf (Japan) Disability
Australia CDD
Bangladesh E.
UNESCO Flagship on Disability. F.
Other matters List of TF EFA members who attended the meeting on 5 June 2003: Name
Organization E-mail Annex 5 Minutes TWGDC Taskforce on Timor Leste and Afghanistan 5 June 2003 at 11:30 am to 1 pm Draft (Kay Nagata) 1. The name of Timor is “Timor Leste” now, so the taskforce’s name was changed to taskforce on Timor Leste and Afghanistan. 2. The taskforce was attended by 2 representatives from Timor Leste, Mr. Amandio Freitas, Acting Director, the Division of Social Services, Secretary of State for Labor and Solidarity, and Mr. Laurentino Guterres, Katilosa, and 4 persons from Afghanistan headed H.E. Mr. Wardak, Minister of Martyrs and the Disabled (see the list of participants). 3. Timor Leste became 62nd member of UNESCAP this year. 4. New constitution of Timor Leste includes two articles about the rights of people with disabilities. Section
9 5. Afghanistan is drafting a new constitution to be adopted in August 2003. Timor Leste 6 According to the survey in Timor Leste funded by RI, the number of people with disabilities in the country is 11,571, which is around 1.5 % of the total population. The main category of people with disability is physical (41%). 7 In the absence of national laws relevant to persons with a disability, the national legal system provides the previously applicable laws. The Government is preparing to formulate a national policy and guidelines for persons with disabilities. The adoption of the national policy and guidelines will also serve towards appropriate enabling national legislation. 8 In service delivery for persons with disabilities, the Government gives priority to a partnership with IGOs and local NGOs. There are 7 local NGOs in the country including, Aisaun foundation, Denore, Fuan Nabilian, Katilosa, Klinic ume Itanian, PRADET TL, and Sekolah Luar Biasa. All of these local NGOS are based in the capital Dili, except for Klinik uma Itanian, which is based in Aileu District. Timor Aid (IGO) has played an important part in supporting the development of disability services and creating local NGOs such as Katilosa. 9 There is a disability working group initiated by the Division of Social Services, with active participation of people with disabilities, UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, etc. which hopefully will establish a national coordination council in the future. Such a national council will help strengthen services for people with disabilities and develop a good coordination the national level, as it is anticipated there will be a mushrooming organizations and self-help groups in the field of disability in Timor Leste.
11. There is urgent need for capacity building and training, particularly training of trainers in the country. 12. Many IGOs are assisting the country. RI supported the above survey. Cambodia Trust will soon start a new project on training of technicians for producing technical aids, such as prosthetics, and orthotics, in Timor Leste. A few people will be invited to Cambodia for training at the inception. RI is planning a new project on CBR in partnership with Katilosa, and the Division of Social Services. 13.
DPI Asian and Pacific is willing to help Timor for capacity building
of self-help groups and willing to invite people with disabilities
to their forthcoming training sessions. 15. ESCAP will continue to include Timor Leste in trainings, seminars, and meetings on disability issues in the future. If the Government officially requests for mission, it may be possible to send a resource person to the country. 16 WFD is wiling to help Timor Leste, through establishing its local counter part, in capacity building, training, and provision of materials, etc. Afghanistan 17. As the country is war-torn, disability prevalence is very high (though statistics is not available), and there is a need for quick action in order to satisfy the demand of people in the country. Afghanistan already requested for technical advisory service mission from UN ESCAP. 18. Education, physical accessibility, capacity building, statistics and disability research and rehabilitation are all top priorities. 19. In the war torn country, in the process of reconstruction and rehabilitation, too many resources are dedicated to IGOs and NGOs, and insufficient resources are allocated for the Government. 20. The priority areas identified by the taskforce group (National taskforce) include employment, rehabilitation, education and disability research. 21. For blind people, training materials, equipment for blind, etc. are needed, and currently national sign language is being developed, Assistance is needed to fund workshops, training, etc. and technical assistance is needed. There is a need to form an association of the deaf and blind. 22. Though the country set up an employment quota scheme of 3% for disabled workers, the public awareness of capability and productivity of people with disabilities is low and there is urgent need for setting up vocational training centers. 23. National commission on Human Rights exists in Afghanistan, with one former disabled member who was promoted to the Minister of Rural Development recently. 24. Being typical in a war torn country, there is a distinction between war disabled (martyrs) and people with congenital disability. Some disabled persons such as women with disabilities or mentally retarded persons are extremely disadvantaged. Some IGOs are helping the country: 25. AJU donated a number of used wheel chairs to the Government. 26. In July, DPI Asia and Pacific will send a consultative mission of regional representatives to the Government. In August, DPI Asian and Pacific will hold a leadership-training workshop in the country. 27. WFD positively replied to the request for assistance. Assistance may include participation of Afghans in regional meetings or training of deaf people in Japan, and a fact-finding mission to Kabul. The pre-requisites for such services are to establish a national counterpart (deaf group at the national level) in the country. The next Asian and Pacific WFD meeting will be held in Jyoagakarat Indonesia. 28. ESCAP said that there will be a training workshop on disability statistics from 23 -26 September 2003, and it is possible that Afghanistan may be invited. 29.
Duskin company’s training course for PWD in Japan may include
an Afghanistan trainee. Name
Organization Shoji Nakanishi DPI-Asia / Pacific humancare@nifty.com Kirk Horton Hilton / Pekkins Program panna@mozart.inet.co.th Ahmad Zia Langari Comissioner, AIHRC zialangarii@yahoo.com Mohd
Ihsan Faiz Assistant Officer, Education CDAP, Afghanistan Wim
Polman FAO Regional Officer, Rural Development Officer Johanne Hanko FAO panocean@ksc15.th.com Etsuko Ueno APDF eueno@dinf.ne.jp Eiichi
Takada World Federation of the Deaf Amandio
Amaral Freitas Secretary of State for Labor & Solidarlity, Division
of Social Services Laurentino Guterres Director of Katilosa Katilosa@yahoo.com Abdullah Wardak Minister of Martyrs and Disabled ministry@disability-afghanistan.org Majid Al-Turmsuani UNDP, Afghanistan mturmsuani@yahoo.com Annex
6
TF Meeting on Self-help Organizations (SHO)
?. OPENING OF THE MEETING 1. The Coordinator for the TF Meeting on SHO, Mr. Topong Kulkhanchit, Regional Development Officer of the Asia-Pacific Office, Disabled Peoples’ International, introduced himself, and asked all the participants to introduce themselves. In the TF Meeting, 20 people participated. [See the ANNEX 1] ?. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 2.
The TF Meeting adopted the following agenda: ?. BACKGROUND TO THE TF ON SHO 3.
In order to review the background to the newly established TF on
SHO as well as the TF on Women with Disabilities (WWD), SHO related
parts of the following documents were handed out to the participants:
[See the ANNEX 2] 4.
The Coordinator briefed the documents and stressed the following
points: ?. INPUT FROM THE PARTICIPANTS 5. SHO related activities which had been carried out mainly in the Pacific for last 18 months by the Inclusive International (II) were introduced. Among those activities, there were a survey project to identify and categorize disabilities and training courses on mobilization/leadership for parents of PWD, mainly of persons with intellectual disabilities. 6. Experiences in Fiji such as educating and sensitizing the Governments to the significance of the SHO of PWD and promoting a cross-disability approach were shared. 7. Citing the comments from the participant from Fiji, the Coordinator stressed the challenges of SHO are 1) sustainable management of SHO, 2) SHO members’ understanding on different needs of persons with different disabilities when they work as cross-disability organization, and 3) the advocacy role of SHO. 8. A representative from Thailand addressed the significance of empowerment and independent living of PWD in society. While empowering an individual person with disability, Governments should develop and implement supportive measures for the formation of SHO, especially those at the local level. 9. The formation process and current activities of Lao Disabled People’s Association (LDPA) were briefed. A self-help group initiated by several persons with disabilities was developed to be LDPA with the Lao Government’s recognition in 2001 after the Government had signed the Proclamation of the A/P Decade and the Prime-ministerial Decree had been enforced in 1995. Since 2001, LDPA with a motto of “assisting PWD to assist other PWD” has worked actively in recruiting members, finding their needs and so forth. 5-year Strategic Plan has been developed. 10. It was reported that in the past 2 years the central Government of Viet Nam, especially the National Coordinating Council on Disability, had supported the formation of self-help groups and facilitated local authorities to permit the activities of those grass-root self-help groups. It is expected that formation of self-help organization at national level will be permitted soon. 11. A representative from Malaysia briefed that the Malaysian Government has a policy to support the work of NGOs financially for both administration and their projects. SHOs should receive this support, as well. However, it is noted that there are few SHOs of PWDs in Malaysia. 12. As for Governments’ assistance to SHO and autonomy of SHO, some participants expressed their concern. The concern was that “advocacy”, one of the most important roles of SHO should be prioritized while providing services to the members is necessary, as well. It would be weakened from certain intervention if SHO too much relied on the Government in financial or the other important aspects. ?. ELABORATION ON BMF RELATING TO SHO OF PWD FOR IMMEDIATE ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TWGDC SIXTH SESSION 13. Citing a SHO-related target in the previous A/P Decade’s Agenda for Action, a participant from APCD questioned if organizations of marginalized groups such as users of psychiatric services and persons with intellectual disabilities had been so far formulated/developed in developing counties in the Asia-Pacific region or not. 14. Toward the above question, the Coordinator provided an example of Thailand that a small group of users of psychiatric services had been very recently initiated. As for the question, implying that a national SHO in developing countries often might lack of or have less understanding/sensitivity to such marginalized groups, a representative form LDPA pointed out that LDPA’s constitution Article 7 said that LDPA members should not be ? “insane”, for instance. 15. A representative from Thailand stressed that available financial resources for supporting/strengthening SHO should be combined and shared. In this context, he suggested that it should be further considered to set up a regional/sub-regional fund for SHO or disability issues in general by utilizing financial sources from existing intergovernmental bodies such as ASEAN etc. 16. The participants of the Meeting agreed that it would be necessary to further promote the participation of PWD in legislative decision-makings and to support formation of SHO of PWD since SHO of PWD could represent PWD in such decision-making meetings. “To increase participation”, not only “to include” 17. In conjunction with one of the SHO-related strategies of BMF, a participant from APCD suggested that new or existing development cooperation projects, focusing on poverty alleviation in rural areas, should have representatives from SHO of PWD. 18. A representative from Pakistan mentioned that since some countries were far behind from latest regional news and movement on disability, information dissemination and networking among disability-concerned organizations should be further promoted. 19. The participants of the Meeting agreed that discussion should be continued through e-mail since the time for this meeting was too short to bring more concrete recommendations.
List
of participants |