OPENING CEREMONY

OPENING ADDRESS

Hirokuni Dazai
President,the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International

As President of the Organizing Committee of the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International,it is my greatest pleasure and honour to be able to welcome you all to Japan for this historic occasion.

As you know,this World Congress is the first to be held in Asia since the commencement of the first Congress over 60 years ago in Switzerland,in 1929. From past experience,we know that such a Congress particularly stimulates the rehabilitation activities in the entire region in which it's held,and then leads on to the further development of services within it. Therefore,we are certain that this,the first of the R.I. Congresses to be held in Asia,will surely contribute to the promotion of rehabilitation activities in this region,in whatever way necessary, where they are developing.

We have been making various arrangements regarding the operation of this Congress. We have tried to help as many people as possible participate from other Asian countries,in order to enable them to grasp the present world trends in rehabilitation. We trust they will be able to return to their own countries with a new vision of what is possible - combined,of course,with an awareness of how to most creatively adapt all that they see here to be of most realistic effect in their own countries and cultures.

Also,I should like to point out that the Congress is held at the beginning of the second half of the U.N. Decade of Disabled Persons. Based upon U.N. initiative,each country has made a long-term action plan to realize the goals set during the International Year of Disabled Persons,and has been promoting this plan. The first half of the Decade was over last year...this World Congress comes at a meaningful time: through international cooperation and exchange of information,we can all do our very best to ensure that the aims of U.N. will be most strongly promoted throughout the rest of the Decade...and, of course, beyond!

Also,we can review and consider the experiences of the last five years. As well,there is much greater awareness that disabled people themselves should be assured full participation in such a Congress. At this gathering there are several disabled people, attending in their own right as an individual,and also representing various organizations. Their participation proves what steps have already been made in the direction of full participation. However,it must be said that it is not so easy in our own society to always ensure this right,as our present society is mainly designed for the non-disabled population. Though we have tried to plan for the access needs of disabled people where necessary - in such areas as transportation and venue facilities - we are afraid that access arrangements may not be sufficient in every individual case,and we would ask for your kind understanding in this.

Particularly since the end of the Second World War,we have been learning from the experinces of Western countries. Our rehabilitation programs have expanded markedly since the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981,reflecting the growing awareness and concern of the general public towards their disabled members' difficulties. However, we have to admit the fact that lots of problems remain to be solved to improve the situation of disabled people in Japan.

We trust that,during the Congress,our overseas visitors will have due chance to observe the present state of Japanese rehabilitation services. We ourselves would like to learn many things from you via the many meetings and other activities during your time in Japan.

Finally,I should like to conclude my remarks by wishing that,through your kindness and cooperation,this Congress may be able to produce a positive result for the benefit of all our societies and the world.

Thank you very much.

WELCOMING ADDRESS

Dkfm. Otto Geiecker
President of Rehabilitation International

As President of Rehabilitation International and on behalf of all member organizations of Rehabilitation International I would like to most cordially and respectfully greet the presence of His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi and Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi. For all participants to the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International it is a great honour that you are gracing the Opening Ceremony of the World Congress with your presence and are thus expressing your understanding of and support for the interests of disabled persons. Our cordial thanks are due to you for this and also for the understanding you have shown in the past for the problems of disabled persons in our society.

I am also very glad to recognize His Excellency Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita,His Excellency Governor Shun-ichi Suzuki,Your Excellencies,Distinguished Ministers and
Secretaries of State,distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps,Directors General, representatives of the United Nations and other international organizations and all of our other distinguished guests. I would like to thank them all for being present here today.

My special thanks and greetings are due to the President of the Congress,Mr. Hirokuni Dazai and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Organizing Committee headed by Dr. Naoichi Tsuyama,the Vice-President of RI for Asia and the Pacific. Their endeavours and hard work have created the conditions for the realization of the World Congress with the full and generous support of the Government of Japan. Their careful and knowledgeable selection of papers and arrangement of the program have provided us with the basis for a successful Congress. Many,many thanks to them all.

A congress only comes alive through the active participation and the contributions of the participants. The contributions to the discussions and papers of the participants will create the mosaic which as a whole will reflect the aims of the Congress and of the work of Rehabilitation International.

I would therefore like to specially welcome all of you,Ladies and Gentlemen,who have come to Tokyo to contribute to the success of the Congress and I would like to specially welcome all those of you who as persons with disabilities have come here from all over the world to contribute to the sucess of this meeting with your experience and your advice. Together we will try to find solutions for the problems confronting us. At the 15th World Congress of RI in Lisbon,whose general Theme was "Information,Awareness and Understanding for Integration of Disabled Persons in Society," we concerned ourselves with the most pressing problems of this time. The general theme of the 16th World Congress "Realistic Approaches - Looking Ahead Towards Comprehensive Rehabilitation" shows us the way to a future in which all areas of rehabilitation will work together to integrate disabled persons as equal partners in society and provide them with the same possibilities for their personal development as the other members of society.

This Congress is a great challenge to the ability,competence and the human understanding of all participants. Let me therefore conclude with the wish that the results we will attain will contribute to the improvement of the situation of disabled persons in our society and to the success of the Decade of Disabled Persons of the United Nations and let me express my hope that all persons present - in their capacity as representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations,scientists or simply as persons who put all their knowledge and enthusiasm into work for disabled persons - will jointly work for the realization of our humanitarian aims above all national,political,racial and religious barriers.

REMARKS

His Royal Highness Prince Hitachi

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all from every corner of the World to the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International held here in Tokyo,and held for the first time in the Asian region.

As Honorary Patron of the Japanese Society for Disabled Children and the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of the Disabled,I myself have always had much interest in rehabilitation activities. I recall it was in 1949 that Japan joined Rehabilitation International when there had been only a limited number of rehabilitation programs carried out in our country. Ever since,however,Japan has witnessed dramatic advancement in working out its various programs. This has been only possible through the great assistance,both spiritual and material,rendered by Rehabilitation International as well as those Japanese who have contributed their endless efforts for the advancement of rehabilitation.

Last January,I had a chance to visit the Industrial Rehabilitation Center in Thailand. The Center was built as part of a bilateral cooperation project between the Japanese and Thai governments. I was impressed to know that Japan has come to take part in international cooperation projects even in the field of rehabilitation.

"Realistic Approaches - Looking Ahead Towards Comprehensive Rehabilitation" is the main theme for this Congress. Nothing will please me more if discussions at the Congress are to help promote comprehensive rehabilitation services both in developed and developing countries.

It is my sincere hope that all the participants with their wealth of experience and expertise will frankly exchange views and opinions so as to make the Congress most fruitful.

Thank you.

WELCOMING SPEECH

Mr.Noboru Takeshita
His Excellency the Prime Minister of Japan

It is my great pleasure to greet you on the occasion of the opening of the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International,held in the presence of their Royal Highnesses, Prince and Princess Hitachi. Since the first World Congress was held in 1929 in Switzerland,this World Congress has grown to be the largest of its kind. This 16th Congress brings together people with many types of disability,their families,and also experts and officials in the administration field,including representatives of the United Nations' organizations.

All of you aim to clarify the tasks involved in rehabilitation and disability services,and to learn from each other through exchanging of related information and your technical know-how and expertise.

For around the last sixty years,Rehabilitation International has always been concerned to promote educational campaigns internationally concerning disability problems,along with efforts to solve those problems. It has also greatly contributed to the development of welfare programs for disabled people in many countries through their influential provision of appropriate technical assistance,etc. and programs.

I believe this 16th World Congress is a truly meaningful and historic occasion,as it is the first to be held in the Asia Region,especially in Japan. Rehabilitation services seek to ensure that disabled people are restored to their rightful place in society through encouraging independence and participation. In order to fulfill this I believe it is vital that the various measures for disabled people are integrated carefully,in the medical, vocational,educational and social fields.

I wish sincerely for this World Congress to further strengthen international cooperation, and promote the mutual exchange of many people concerned in various countries and thus foster the development of welfare programs worldwide. My government intends to continue promotion of such international cooperation and exchange programs.

Finally,may I conclude by wishing that this 16th World Congress proves to be a success, and a powerful means of ensuring the promotion of rehabilitation activities in every region represented.

Thank you.

WELCOMING SPEECH

Mr.Shun-ichi Suzuki
His Excellency the Governor of Tokyo

On the occassion of this Opening Ceremony,held in the presence of Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi,it is my great honor as Governor of Tokyo to welcome you to the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International. I should like to express my greatest respects to all here today,as you are all actively making great efforts to consolidate rehabilitation services for disabled people worldwide. It goes without saying that all people - whether disabled or non-disabled - wish for a society in which everybody is able to live life to the full. Although various rehabilitation services have been provided here already in order to enable people with disabilities to have lives of pride and dignity,there remain many problems to be solved.

Therefore,I believe it is really meaningful that Rehabilitation International - which consists of 120 organizations from 80 countries - is holding its 16th World Congress here,with the main theme of "Realistic Approaches - Looking Ahead Towards Comprehensive Rehabilitation". I'm positive that this event will contribute greatly to our rehabilitation services.

As Governor of Tokyo,I have been trying with all my strength to make Tokyo a city which people love,and may be proud of...a sort of "secure hometown" of which people dream,in which they feel a definite "community spirit" and belonging. The Metropolitan Government of Tokyo gives a high priority to solving the problems of disabled people. 1982 was the year in which "The Action Plan for the International Year of Disabled People" was formulated. This plan continues to be the basis by which measures for disabled people are promoted.

Also,in order to ensure all Tokyoites enjoy peace of mind and security,last January we inaugurated a policy to establish Tokyo as a "Welfare-Orientated City" - that is, a city in which the needs of all citizens - including elderly and disabled people - are realized and comprehensively met. Thus,we are now promoting the creation of this sort of environment. I would ask for your cooperation in the continued development and realization of this scheme.

Finally,I should like to conclude by expressing my grateful thanks to the members of Rehabilitation International,the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of the Disabled, and the Japan Association for Employment of the Disabled - those who have planned long and worked hard to see this 16th World Congress take place this week.

Now,may I wish you all have an enjoyable and successful time here.

Thank you.

MESSAGE

Mr.Javier Perez de Cueilar
Secretary General,The United Nations

It is a pleasure for me to convey my cordial greetings to the participants of the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International. I should also like to express my appreciation of the support given by the Government of Japan to this important meeting which coincides with the beginning of the second half at the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. Lastly,this occasion offers me the opportunity to give special recognition to Rehabilitation International for its untiring efforts,since it was founded in 1922,on behalf of disabled persons.

Your Congress provides a valuable opportunity for an exchange of views and information on issues concerning rehabilitation. At the mid-Decade review in 1987,it became evident that the guiding principle of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the remainder of the Decade must be equalization of opportunities for disabled persons,as citizens first and then as beneficiaries of services. This approach signals the end of the perceptions of the past which isolated disabled persons and reinforced stereotypes of their total dependency on professional and medical personnel, and opens the door to progress. Since the International Year of Disabled Persons, another voice,that of disabled persons themselves,has joined that of the professionals who help them overcome their handicap and it is resounding around the world.

Among you are persons from all professions,all walks of life and from over 80 nations. There is no discrimination as to your age,sex,religion,race or disability. Your quest for new approaches to rehabilitation includes the consideration of sectoral issues which concern all citizens in every society. Foremost among these are education,employment and other social and economic questions. As the recent United Nations study prepared in collaboration with Rehabilitation International has shown,effective national legislation is a key element leading toward the realization of the rights of disabled persons.

The mid-Decade review of the implementation of the World Programme of Action showed that while there have been important achievements,much more remains to be accomplished,and renewed momentum is essential for the success of the Decade. To supplement and complement the action of Member States,non-governmental organizations and individuals,it is the firm commitment of the United Nations,in spite of its limited resources,to continue its advocacy role and its promotional and operational activities in the field of disability. With this in mind,I have recently appointed a Special Representative for the Promotion of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.

It is my sincere hope that the 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International will provide valuable input to global efforts aimed at achieving society's goals and obligations towards all its citizens. I wish you every success in your deliberations.