Attendees:See attached list
Apologies:Ms Debra Perry/Mr JB Munro

The Chairman 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 as a source of information regarding signatories. Problems and issues regarding the Convention and ratification were canvassed. The limitations of the discussion at Otsu in 2002 were noted. Kay observed tha 159 is a Convention and once signed becomes binding. It dates back to 1983 and includes quota measures that are regarded as controversial. Grants, subsidies and tax concessions have also been highlighted as devices available to stimulat action. Resolution 99 contains the guidelines to meet the Convention.

The 9 countries (out of a possible 43) in the Region, which have signed, represent a small percentage. This brings into question the efficacy of the Convention as a device.

The Chairman noted that action could be initiated notwithstanding the low number of signatories. However, there was also a call for continued action to get non-signatory 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 call 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 Vietnam 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.

Mr 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.

The Chairman thanked all present for their contribution and looks forward to an action oriented future.

Proposed Actions for Employment Task Force

ACTION	BY Whom	BY When
Participants to commence dialogue with their Governments (Labour Departments) aimed at initiating action relating to ratification of ILO Convention/159 and other action to increase participation of people with disabilities.	All Participants	Ongoing
Develop an email network to facilitate interaction and information exchange between task force members.	Jason McKey	Mid June
Open discussions with International Volunteer Organisations to highlight the needs of people with disabilities.	Participants in relevant Countries	Ongoing
Approach FAO to participate in co-operative ventures focusing enabling people with disabilities in rural areas access self employment	AllParticipants	Ongoing

List of Participants for Task Force Employment

Name	Organization	E-mail
Mr Jason McKey	ACROD, Australia	Jason@jobplacement.com.au
Mr Bryan Woodford	ACROD, Australia	ceo@yooralla.com.au
Ms Sunee Saisupatpon	Office of the Employment for PWD, Thailand	suneesai@hotmail.com
Ms Suthida Chuthamas	Office of the Employment for PWD, Thailand	suthida@muslimthai.com
HE Mr Abdullah Wardak	MMD	Disability_afghastan@yahoo.co.uk
Mr Majid Turmusani	UNDP	mturmusani@yahoo.com
Mr Frank Hall-Bentick	Disability Australia	frankhb@connexus.net.au
Mr Md. Rashid Ismail	Malaysia	rashid@kempadu.gov.my
Mr Mike Boddington	Lao Disabled People's Association	copeldpa@laotel.com
Mr Graham McKinstry	Inclusion International	g-b-mck@wave.co.nz
Mr Nghiem Xuan Tue	NCCD, Vietnam	nccd@fpt.un
Mr Ha Thanh Que	Ministry of Labor-Invalids and social Affairs of Vietnam	htque@netvillage.netnam.vn
Ms Kay Nagata	UNESCAP	nagata@un.org
Mr Pecharat Techavachara	Foundation for the Employment Promotion of the Blind (FEPB)	fepb@internet.ksc.net.th t_pecharat@hotmail.com
Ms Johanne Hanko	FAO	panocean@ksc15.th.com
Mr Pat Watanasin	Office of the Employment for PWD, Thailand	patwatanasin@yahoo.com
Mr Wim Polman	FAO	wim.polman@fao.org