TWGDC6/MINUTES

26 June 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS

REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM

THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS

Sixth session

6 June 2003

United Nations Conference Centre

Bangkok

MINUTES

I. OPENING OF THE MEETING

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.

   II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

5. The TWGDC adopted the following agenda, but requested that agenda item 10 precede agenda item 7:

   1. Meetings of Task Forces

      1. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

      2. Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities (EFA)

      3. Employment

      4. Timor Leste and Afghanistan

      5. Self-help Organizations (SHOs)

      6. Women with disabilities (WWD)

      7. International Convention to Protect and Promote the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities

   2. Opening session (plenary). Welcome statement of Ms Keiko Okaido, Deputy Executive Secretary of the ESCAP secretariat.

   3. Adoption of the agenda

   4. Confirmation of Minutes of the fifth session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-Related Concerns, held 24 June 2002.

   5. Matters arising from the Minutes

   6. Adoption of the Terms of Reference for the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns, 2003-2004.

   7. Determination of specific targets of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns, 2003-2004.

   8. Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF).

   9. Report on the regional meeting and workshops on an international convention to protect and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, held in Bangkok, 2-4 June 2003

   10. Task Force action reports

   11. Other matters

   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

    December 2004, which is the duration of the current term of the Working Group.

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.

    The issue was raised as to whether there should be a Task Force on CBR. It was suggested that a proposal be prepared by Mr Alam of NFOWD (Bangladesh) and presented to the next session of TWGDC for discussion.

    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:

    1. Dissemination of BMF

    2. Development of a database on legislation (Inclusion International) and a general database (APCD).

    3. Proactive advocacy to Governments who are non-signatory to the Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region.

    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.

    IX. OTHER MATTERS

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

    meetings in December 2002 and June 2003. Plans for a first Conference and General Assembly were under discussion and TWGDC would be informed as soon as dates had been finalized. Choosing a logo for the second Decade would be discussed at the first General assembly.

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:

    
    Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 (First Decade)
    
    

    http://www.unescap.org/decade/index.htm

    
    New (Second) Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Person, 2003-2012 and BMF
    
    

    http://www.unescap.org/sps/new20%activities.htm

    
    Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns
    
    

    http://www.unescap.org/sps/newtwgdis.htm

    
    DINF
    
    

    http://www.dinf.ne.jp/

    
    APDF On-line Forum
    
    

    http://www.worldenable.net/bangkok2003/online.htm (Group password: ESCAPEGM)

29. TWGDC expressed their appreciation of the chair and co-chair.

Annex

• Annex1
  [UNITED NATIONS Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns Sixth Session 5-6 June 2003 Bangkok, LIST OF PARTICIPANTS]
• Annex2
  [Revised Draft Minutes of 6th ICT Task Force Meeting Room C, UNCC, Bangkok 9:00-12:00, 5 June 2003]
• Annex3
  [MINUTES TWDGC Employment Group Meeting Room D, UNCC 5 June 2003 at 0900-1100 hrs]
• Annex4
  [UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES(Fifth session 9 December 2002 United Nations Conference Centre Bangkok)]
• Annex5
  [MINUTES TWGDC Taskforce on Timor Leste and Afghanistan 5 June 2003 at 11:30 am to 1 pm]
• Annex6
  [TWGDC Sixth Session TF Meeting on Self-help Organizations (SHO) 5 June 2003, 1100-1300 hrs United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Meeting Room F]
• Annex7
  [Minutes of WWDs Task Force Meeting Room D, UNCC, Bangkok 11:30-13:00,5 June 2003]
• Annex8
  [Minutes of Task Force on Proposed International Convention on Persons with Disabilities Room A, UNCC, Bangkok 5 June 2003, 14:00-16:00]
• Annex9
  [THE BIWAKO MILLENNIUM FRAMEWORK AND LEGISLATION. PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH PROJECT]