Oct 27,1999 International symposium
Summary of the Panel Discussion
Yutaka Takamine Chairman of the Panel Discussion on International Cooperation
It was reported in the morning session that there had been various international cooperation activities in the field of disability, and that there had been some criticism. The criticism is summarized as whether there should be any need to help persons with disabilities in other countries when there are still many unsolved problems surrounding persons with disabilities domestically. The panel discussion was started with the question of how to respond to such criticism, and the significance of international cooperation in the area of disability.
To respond to the criticism, it was pointed out that more and more nation’s economic and social welfare policies had been influenced by discussions at international conferences and government leaders of other governments at these conferences. To predict national policy changes in disability matters and to take effective action to positively influence them requires full understanding of where one’s own nation stands on a particular issue and those of others. Thus it is imperative to gather information through exchange of views with counterpart organizations concerning disability in other countries.
Another panelist said that international cooperation was a mutual learning process between countries. It is not accurate to say that this process is a one-way process from the donor to the recipient country. It was often deeply moving to see the dedication of persons with disabilities in developing countries to the improvement of their situation, said one panelist. From the humanitarian point of view, it would be difficult to ignore the plight of those in other countries. International cooperation through interaction and information exchange can be meaningful if experience and knowledge accumulated in one country can significantly inspire those in other countries toward resolution of similar issues. Panelists agreed that there was much merit for individuals or organizations when involved in international cooperation.
The criteria that may be used in selecting countries and organizations within those countries were discussed. The process of assistance often begins through personal contacts or by responding to requests for assistance. Because of limited funds the target organizations should be carefully selected. Such selection is often based on geographical considerations. For example, Australia prefers Pacific Island countries and Canada often support Latin American nations. An important factor in selection is sharing common value with the partner organization. Disability issue is no longer considered as merely the provision of services. It is rather viewed as civil rights or human rights issues. One panelist expressed the hope that they could establish partnership and cooperate with an organization that shares common value. Another important factor is democratic practice of the organization. Finally it was said that selecting organizations and countries was influenced by their democratic practices.
The panelists then turned to issues on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their roles in the field of international cooperation for persons with disabilities. The flexibility of NGOs is raising expectations for the effectiveness of their international cooperation activities. In many governments of developing countries, disability issues receive low priority, making it difficult to be supported by official development assistance. On the other hand, NGOs can start with small-scale assistance and they are flexible enough to deal with disability issues. The United Nations and national governments now recognize NGOs as important partners in the field of development. NGOs, however, are still small in scale, understaffed and short of funds. One panelist said that it was necessary to strengthen the role and function of NGOs in international cooperation. It has become increasingly common for government agencies to transfer public services to the private sector or NGOs under the guidance of international financial institutions. A strong concern was expressed that this form of privatization could result in low quality services.
There was a comment from the floor that funds were more often given to service-providing organizations than to self-help organizations of persons with disabilities, and that there was hardly any assistance provided for the management, operation of self-help organizations and empowerment of disabled persons. It was also expressed funding priorities of financial institutions should be shifted from service providers to organizations empowering persons with disabilities, promoting human rights and democratic processes, as well as developing human resources. It was also expressed that funding organizations should impose a requirement for disability service delivery organizations to have disabled persons directly involved in their decision-making and management when the service delivery organizations apply for funding.
The discussion then turned to the importance of the involvement of persons with disabilities in international cooperation. The Japanese Government was taking initiatives to encourage persons with disabilities to participate in international cooperation activities. It was reported that the Japanese Government had recognized the need for necessary measures to enhance management skills of persons with disabilities and to facilitate their involvement in international cooperation. It was also indicated that the future issue was how to implement the measures.
Regarding international cooperation by self-help organizations of persons with disabilities, Sweden is a good example of direct involvement of persons with disabilities. It is important to send persons with disabilities to developing countries as experts and field workers. The SHIA representative indicated that they had a special fund in SHIA’s budget for short-time dispatch of disabled persons. This experience has shown that such direct participation of persons with disabilities can improve the quality of assistance because the conditions of persons with disabilities in developing countries can be seen from the viewpoints of persons with disabilities.
The economic gap between developed and developing countries is widening rapidly. To narrow that gap it is important to reduce the disparity in access to information between the developed and the developing countries. International standards are now being developed that will facilitate the sharing of information in the field of disabilities. Japan assisted in the development of the digital audio information system (DAISY) as an international standard, which was intended for adoption by the developing countries. The DAISY software is available to the developing countries without charge. It was reported that there was a plan to disseminate the DAISY program throughout Asia. The Thai organization for persons with disabilities has already planned to cooperate with this program.
Finally, many foreign panelists expressed their high expectations for Japan to take further bigger role in the areas of international cooperation for persons with disabilities.