PDF Pasifika Newsletter Issue 15 January 2012

D i s a b i l i t y P a s i f i k a N e w s l e t t e r

I S S U E 1 5 V O L U M E 2 I S S U E 1 5 V O L U M E 2 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2

Points of InterestPoints of Interest

UNESCAP Regional UNESCAP Regional

Consultation for the Consultation for the

High level Intergov-High level Intergov-

ernmental Meeting ernmental Meeting

on the final review of on the final review of

the Asian and Pacific the Asian and Pacific

Decade of Disabled Decade of Disabled

Persons 2003 Persons 2003 -- 20122012

From the Editor' Desk From the Editor' Desk

Asia Pacific Feminists Asia Pacific Feminists

ForumForum

2nd Asia Pacific CBR 2nd Asia Pacific CBR

CongressCongress

UBP Visit the HiltonsUBP Visit the Hiltons

Disability Inclusive-Disability Inclusive-

ness in Disaster ness in Disaster

Preparedness and Preparedness and

Risk Reduction in FijiRisk Reduction in Fiji

PDF and FDPF join PDF and FDPF join

Asia Pacific Re-Asia Pacific Re-

search on Disability, search on Disability,

Poverty and Liveli-Poverty and Liveli-

hood hood

PDF supports 16 PDF supports 16

Days of Activism Days of Activism

against Violence against Violence

against Women against Women

CampaignCampaign

The Pacific DPO The Pacific DPO

FundFund

TOT in Leadership TOT in Leadership

Development Pro-Development Pro-

gram and Coaching gram and Coaching

leadership Develop-leadership Develop-

mentment

Cook Islands Gov-Cook Islands Gov-

ernment Report to ernment Report to

UN on CRPDUN on CRPD

UNESCAP Regional Stakeholder Consultation for the High-level

Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012;

14-16 December 2011 Bangkok, Thailand

Setareki Macanawai – PDF CEO

The “Regional Stakeholder Consultation for the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012” was organised by UNESCAP from the 14 - 16 December 2011 at the United Na-tions Conference Centre (UNCC), in Bangkok, Thailand.

The PDF CEO, Setareki Macanawai was invited by UNESCAP to participate in an expert capacity in this important regional stakeholder consultation. Other Pacific Islands representatives joining Seta at this event are Villaney Remengesau, Chair-person of Omekesang, the National DPO in Palau, Samantha French from PWD Australia and Leah Hobson from Australia Federation of Disability Organisations. Seta was also grateful to also meet David Corner, a self-advocate from New Zea-land along with his support person, Julia Hawkins both of whom representing In-clusion International. The consultation was being held in pursuance of Commission Resolution 66/11 of 19 May 2010 on regional preparations for the High-level Intergovernmental Meet-ing on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, which calls upon all key stakeholders to actively contribute to the preparatory process leading up to the High-level Intergovern-mental Meeting. The objectives of this consultation are:

To seek the inputs and views of stakeholders as a basis for the preparation of the proposed outcome document for the above-mentioned High-level Intergovernmental Meeting.

To review the key issues identified by governments and civil society as contained in the responses to surveys conducted by the secretariat on the regional implementation of the Second Asian and Pacific Decade of Dis-abled Persons, 2003-2012.

Ms. Villaney R and Mr. Setareki M

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From the Editor’s Desk Greetings! As we start off the new year, PDF would like to reaffirm its stand in solidarity with the growing number of Disabled Persons Organisation (DPOs) around the Pacific and around the world who have committed them-selves to advocate for the equal participation of persons with disabilities. Also PDF would like to acknowledge the contributions of men, women, youth and children with disabilities around the Pacific for the year 2011. PDF will

continue to strive in ensuring that all individuals in the Pacific enjoy full inclusion and participation in our societies. In this Issue 15, we take a look at the UNESCAP Regional Consultation for the High level Intergovernmental Meeting on the final review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 2003 - 2012; the Asia Pacific Feminist Forum 2011; the 2nd Asia Pacific CBR Con-gress; UBP visits the Hiltons; the Disability Inclusiveness in Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction in Fiji; PDF and FDPF joins Asian Pacific Research on Disability, Poverty and Livelihood; PDF Supports the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women Cam-paign; The Pacific DPO Fund; The TOT in Leadership Development Program and Coaching Leadership Development and the Cook Islands Government Reporting to United Nation on the Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities. The PDF Team will continue to protect and promote human rights, fair opportunity, and equal access for people with disabilities. As we begin our journey for 2012, let us reinvigo-rate our commitment to eradicate barriers and ensure equal opportunity for all. I would like to acknowledge AusAID for their continuous support in 2012 and look forward to work-ing closely with you all to achieve our goal.

Asia Pacific Feminist Forum Naomi Navoce - Gender & Youth Officer

The Gender Officer for Pacific Disability Forum (PDF); Naomi Navoce and the Project Offi-cer for the Fiji Disabled Persons Federation (FDPF); Elenoa Kaisau attended the Asia Pa-cific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) first ever Asia Pacific Feminist Fo-rum (APFF) on 12-14 December 2011 in Chiang Mai, Thailand at the Furama Hotel. This event brought together more than 100 -150 activists - women lawyers, academics, advo-cates and youth leaders. It was an occasion that celebrated the collective achievements,


Soloveni Vitoso

Editor,

The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, will be convened by UNESCAP from the 29 October to the 2 November 2012 and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea in Incheon, Republic of Korea. This meeting is expected to adopt an outcome document entitled the “Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.” The outcome document is expected to serve as the regional action framework to guide the implementa-tion of a new decade to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, 2013-2022.

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reflecting on the challenges and political climates, the deepening of feminist knowledge and analysis, solidarity and collaboration, and reaffirm their resolve to advance women‟s rights.

APFF Objectives:

To build knowledge and practical skills of women in the Asia Pacific region that

advance women‟s rights;

To strengthen and encourage more collaboration between women‟s organisations

in the Asia Pacific region;

To map out what different organisations in the Asia Pacific region are doing, to see

where overlaps happen and where collaboration can start;

To energize the women‟s movement in the Asia Pacific region (with a particular focus on bringing in young women, women with disabilities and women who are

new to the movement);

To deepen feminist knowledge and analysis.

APFF had focused on movement and skills building and provided space for sharing of is-sues, struggles and strategies. This opportunity enabled Naomi and Elenoa to network with other members and partners by the exchange of ideas, to learning about different advocacy strategies and encouraging more collaboration within the region for women with

disabilities.

This forum and celebration of women in the Asia Pacific region aimed to give due recogni-tion to and re-energized and strengthened the movement in the region. The participants returned back to their countries and communities filled with greater hope, a strong sense

of belonging, with increased renewed skills and stronger determination.

APWLD also celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011, as well a number of members. It also the Centennial Year of International Women‟s Day. The opening evening included a birth-

day party for APWLD.

After a successful inaugural event, these important outcomes from Asia Pacific Feminist

Forum are being considered for future coordination and collaboration:

Forming an Asia Pacific Network for Women with Disabilities;

Developing a process to collectively address the reduction in funding for women‟s

rights work in the region and campaign for sustainable support; and

Establishing the APFF as a bi or tri-annual event in the region.

2nd Asia Pacific CBR Congress

Angeline Chand - PDF DPO Development Officer

The second Asia Pacific CBR Congress was held in Manila Philippines from 29th November to 1st December 2011, with the theme „Building Communities for everyone – Mainstream-

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Setareki Macanawai in the Panel discussions

ing Disability in the development agenda‟. The conference was attended by 640 delegates and supporters from 64 countries, which represented DPO‟s, CBR practitioner‟s supporter‟s government reps and implementers and providers of CBR pro-grams. The congress program included plenary sessions followed by concurrent workshops on a variety of topics ranging from the CBR guidelines, Commu-nity Based Inclusive Development CRPD inclusive

education disability and HIV mental Health and the importance of including DPO‟s in the CBR implementation as well as listening to the voices of persons with disabilities on what they think they need in terms of CBR program de-livery. The Pacific was represented by DPO‟s and CBR workers from Cook Islands Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga, this was made possible through the financial support of WHOM, AusAID ISSS Program. The delegates from the Pacific agreed to establish a CBR E-list for the Pacific to be initially hosted by PDF which will assist in sharing information and strengthening the CBR program in the Pa-cific according to the new CBR guidelines. PDF was represented at the congress by CEO Setareki Macanawai and DPO Development Officer Angeline Chand. The 3rd Asia Pacific CBR Congress will be held in Japan and the 1st World CBR Congress will be held in India in November 2012.

UBP Visit the Hiltons

Rakesh Chand - Board Member United Blind Persons of Fiji

Members of United Blind Persons of Fiji who were former students of Cripple Children School, now known as Hilton Special School visited Mr. & Mrs. Hilton on Saturday 21st January 2012 at their resi-dents in Suva.

The visit brought lots of fond memories for both Hil-

ton Family & UBP members. Members of UBP were

very encouraged and inspired as the Hilton family

reminded them how they started with simple learn-

ing tools and a classroom which was in a corridor and

now where there's so much of opportunities and resources available to blind & vision im-

paired students.

All in all, this has certainly motivated and empowered all UBP members to advocate and

build awareness in the societies which can absorb disability issues open heartedly.

The Pacific Representatives in Manila

The UBP Members with the Hiltons

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PDF and FDPF join Asian Pacific Research on Disability,

Poverty and Livelihood

Katabwena Tawaka - PDF Programme Manager

PDF Programme Manager, Mr. Katabwena Tawaka and Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) Project Officer Ms. Elenoa Kaisau attended a three day capacity development work-

shop at the UNESCAP in Bangkok from the 16 – 18th January 2012.

The focus of the workshop was to empower persons with disability through generating knowledge on their livelihood needs through their own voices, building capacity of partner organisations (DPOs) through the project and strengthening relationships between ESCAP, DPOs and persons with disabilities, provide governments with analysis on the livelihood needs of persons with disabilities and provide comparable data and experiences of persons

with disabilities which reflects their lived experience.

PDF and FDPF will conduct a poverty and livelihood research on people with disabilities in Fiji from the February to May 2012. UNESCAP will then put together a summary of finding from the different regions around Asia and the Pacific that hopes to feed into discussions for the new Decade for People with Disabilities that will be launched in Korea later this

year.

Disability inclusiveness in disaster preparedness and risk reduction in Fiji

Soloveni Vitoso; Information Officer, PDF

The Fiji Disabled People Federation (FDPF) held a workshop at the Tanoa Plaza in Suva, Fiji with stake-holders, government and non government organisa-tion to raise awareness on the need to include per-sons with disabilities in their programs in regards to disaster in terms of preparation before, during and after disaster. It is a four phase project that is currently underway in Fiji aim in incorporating the needs of those living with disabilities into disaster risk management plans. The key objective was the need;

To have better understanding of current prac-tices, disaster preparedness and risk reduction management and the need to working closely with stakeholders.

To mainstream the workshop findings and out-

come in their current disaster and risk manage-ment system programmes

The project was a joint partner venture between Fiji Disabled Persons Federation, Pacific Disability Forum and AusAID. More than 20 participants were present during the meeting.

Participants of the disability inclusiveness in dis-aster preparedness and risk reduction in Fiji

Sam Vilsoni (FDPF) leads a discussion during the workshop

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PDF Supports 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women

Campaign Naomi Navoce – PDF Gender & Youth Officer

The 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women campaign was held on the 25th Novem-ber, 2011 and all over the world, women‟s or-ganisations, community groups, faith-based or-ganisations and government agencies com-memorated the campaign with events, activities and programs. The theme for last year‟s cam-paign was From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World. PDF would like to reiterate that women with disabilities experience a high rate of personal violence by a variety of different actors. Statis-tics are lacking; as it does not include all kinds of violence against all women and girls with disabili-

ties; programs neglect to include them; services being unavailable and inaccessible; the lack of access to justice; and societies being ill equipped to sufficiently take into

account the effects of violence on women and girls with disabilities. Article 16 of the CRPD specifically contains the right to of persons with disabilities to be free from exploitation, violence and abuse. It also contains extensive provisions, on pro-tecting persons with disabilities from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, in-cluding their gender based aspects, both inside and outside the home. States parties must take legislative, administrative, social, educational and other meas-ures for protection, to prevent (including by giving information and education to persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers on avoiding, recognizing and reporting in-stances of exploitation, violence and abuse. Protection services must be age, gender and disability sensitive. In addition, our Pacific Leaders must ensure; Effective monitoring by independent authorities of all facilities and programs designed

to serve persons with disabilities. To promote the physical, cognitive and psychological recovery, rehabilitation and so-

cial reintegration of those subjected to exploitation, violence or abuse, including through protection services.

It requires that such recovery and reintegration take place in "an environment that fosters the health, welfare, self-respect, dignity and autonomy of the person and takes into ac-count gender- and age-specific needs". Leaders must put in place effective legislation and policies, to make sure that instances of exploitation, violence and abuse against persons with disabilities are identified, inves-tigated, and where appropriate, prosecuted.

The PDF women staff - clockwise Left - Right: Ms. Miliana Raturibi, Ms. Losalini Tukai, Ms. Angeline

Chand and Ms. Naomi Navoce

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The Pacific DPO Fund

Soloveni Vitoso - PDF Information Officer

In the last ten years, persons with disabilities have organised themselves into their own organisations in many countries worldwide. Disabled People's Or-ganisations (DPOs) are those controlled by a major-ity (51%) in the board and at governance levels. Pa-cific Disability Forum considers the role of DPOs to be the fundamental issue for the disability move-ment. The role of these organisations includes providing a voice, identifying needs, expressing views on priori-ties, evaluating services and advocating change and public awareness on behalf of its members. These organisations provide the opportunity to develop

skills in the negotiation process, organisational abilities, mutual support, informa-tion sharing and often vocational skills and opportunities. In view of their vital importance in the process of participation, it is imperative that their development be encouraged. The Pacific Disability Forum has established „The Pacific Disabled Persons Organisation Fund (called Pacific DPO Fund)‟ with funding from AusAID and hopefully, other donor and development partners will contribute to it in the future. The purpose of the Pacific DPO Fund is to improve the lives of persons with disabilities by supporting the organisational de-

velopment and project work of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) in the Pacific.

The Pacific DPO Fund has a five member fund committee comprising of the Disability Coor-dination Officer at the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat who is the chair of the committee, three members elected on a biannual basis from the PDF membership at the Annual General Meeting and the PDF DPO Development Officer who is an ex-officio member. The Fund com-mittee holds two funding rounds per year [subject to funds being available] where organisa-tions can submit applications. Recently, the members of the Pacific DPO Fund Committee held its‟ in-person-meeting at the PDF Secretariat from Wednesday 25th to Thursday 26th January 2012. At this meeting the Fund Committee deliberated on the applications received from DPO‟s on the Round 3 call for applications. In total the fund Committee received 12 applications from 6 countries namely Fiji, Feder-ated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Applying organisa-tions would be notified on the status of their application shortly.

The Pacific DPO Fund Committee in person meeting in session as they deliberate round 3 applications

TOT in Leadership Development Program and Coaching Leadership Development

Soloveni Vitoso - PDF Information Officer The TOT in leadership development for Disabled People‟s Organisations (DPOs) is being held at Tokatoka Resort from the 6 - 17 February 2012. Sixteen emerging leaders from our DPOs around the Pacific are undergoing these sessions to grow capabilities as trainers to deliver leadership programs. Graduates of this program will soon be able to plan, design and de-liver leadership programs for current and emerging leaders in the disability sector in the

Pacific.

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Cook Islands Government Reports to United Nation on the Convention on the

Rights of Person with Disabilities Nooroa Numanga; Director of Disability Issues, Cook Island Government

The Cook Islands government has endorsed its report on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to be presented to the United Nations as part of its obligation since its ratification on 8 May 2009. The Convention which safeguards the world's 650 million of persons with disabilities from discrimination was passed by the United Nations General Assembly on 6 December 2006 and came into effect on 3 May 2008. The Convention is a human rights based treaty that enshrines the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in economic, political, so-cial and cultural life. Like other UN conventions such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and CEDAW, it is legally binding in terms of compliance and its implementation will be monitored and evaluated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands acceded the Convention in 2009 and under its ratification obligations to the United Nations; it is reporting on the progress of implementation at the national level. This is the first of its kind in the Pacific region. “We are pleased that we are able to complete this report and acknowledge the assis-tance of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in the drafting of the report” said Bredina Drollet, Secretary for Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Cook Islands. Persons with disabilities in the Cook Islands are among the most disadvantaged in their communities as they lack access to a wide range of basic services. They face social, atti-tudinal and physical barriers every day of their lives in the forms of direct and indirect discrimination. This Convention will, therefore, be of considerable value and relevance. “Government realises the importance of the rights of persons with disabilities as they are doing for women and children in Cook Islands. The obligation to implement the Con-vention is an ongoing process and look forward to more commitment from government on issues relating to persons with a disability” said Nooroa Numanga, Director for Disability Issues in the Cook Islands. Following the Convention reporting to the United Nations, it is envisaged that the Cook Islands will place an increased emphasis to continue to: Improve mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of relevant national priori-

ties of sustainable development with budgetary allocations to implement it‟s strate-gies;

Review and harmonise domestic legislations and other related national documents to conform with the Convention; Strengthen services for persons with disabilities. For more information, please contact Ms Nooroa Numanga, phone ( 682 ) 29370 and email

[email protected]

Documents

PDF Pasifika Newsletter Issue 15 January 2012