TWGDC5/MINUTES

18 December 2002

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS

REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM

THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS

Fifth session

10 December 2002

United Nations Conference Centre

Bangkok

MINUTES

I. OPENING OF THE MEETING

1. The fifth session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWGDC) was opened by the Deputy Executive Secretary and Officer-in-Charge, a.i. of the Secretariat, Ms Keiko Okaido. In her opening statement, Ms Okaido paid tribute to the work of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns since its inception in December 2000. She commented that the TWGDC had achieved its objectives to a high degree, in direct connection with the implementation and evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons in its final two years. Ms Okaido reported that the TWGDC had played a significant role in developing the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF) to guide governments during the implementation of the second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012. The BMF was adopted at the highly successful High-level Intergovernmental to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, held in Otsu, Shiga, Japan, 25-28 October 2002. Ms Okaido noted that the BMF delineates a need for a regional working group comprising the United Nations system, Governments and civil society organizations of persons with disabilities to meet regularly to coordinate and monitor implementation of the framework. The TWGDC had the unique capacity to facilitate collaboration and coordination between all stakeholders, and this asset should be utilized for the next Decade.

2. Ms Okaido also made reference to the four Task Forces of the TWGDC, and noted that significant achievements had been made in promoting action, advocacy and information exchange in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Education for all Children and Youth with Disabilities (EFA), Entrepreneurship, and East Timor.

3. Ms Okaido acknowledged that TWGDC was limited by a sunset clause with its term due to finish in December 2002, but she strongly encouraged TWGDC to recommend its continuation.

4. The fourth session of the TWGDC was co-chaired by Ms Debra Perry, International Labour Organization, and Mr. Yutaka Takamine, Emerging Social Issues Division, ESCAP. Representatives of five governments, ESCAP, three United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, 13 non-governmental organizations, and one other entity, and 13 observers participated in the Meeting, a total of 66 participants. The list of participants is attached as Annex I.

   II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

5. The TWGDC adopted the following agenda:

   1. Meetings of Task Forces

   2. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

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

   4. Entrepreneurial Training, Small Business and Income Generation Activity and Development (Entrepreneurship), including Self-employment

   5. East Timor

   6. Opening session (plenary)

   7. Welcome statement of Ms Keiko Okaido, Deputy Executive Secretary and Officer-in-Charge, a.i. of the ESCAP secretariat.

   8. Adoption of the agenda

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

   10. Matters arising from the Minutes

   11. Report on the High-level Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, held in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, 25-28 October 2002.

   12. 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.

   13. Evaluation of the achievements of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns and consideration of its future role within the context of the second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012.

   14. Task Force action reports

   15. Other matters

   III. MINUTES OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TWGDC

6. The ESCAP secretariat presented the minutes of the fourth session of the TWGDC, held at Bangkok on 24 June 2002. The meeting corrected the minutes to indicate the name of the person who had delivered the opening speech at the ICT Accessibility Seminar for Persons with Disabilities, held at Bangkok, 20-22 June 2002.

   IV. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

7. There were no matters arising from the minutes.

   V. REPORT ON THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING TO CONCLUDE THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS, HELD IN OTSU, SHIGA, JAPAN 25-28 OCTOBER 2002

8. It was reported that the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons was attended by more than 300 participants from 27 Governments of the region, and included 8 Ministerial delegates.

9. The Meeting reviewed the national progress of the implementation of the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Region, and highlights of the achievements as presented by Governments, United Nations and NGO agencies and representatives. Subregional discussions were held but no concrete mechanisms for subregional coordination were determined. This matter requires the attention of the TWGDC.

10. The highlight of the High-level Meeting was the presentation and discussion of the Biwako Millennium framework for Action. Modifications were made to three priority areas, and the suggestion was made to include persons with an intellectual disability as an additional priority area. It was agreed that the Meeting was an inappropriate time for a major addition, but that the inclusion should be considered at the time of the first review of the BMF. The BMF was adopted by the Meeting as the policy guidelines for the forthcoming Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012.

11. At the High-level Meeting, sincere appreciation was expressed to the Government of Japan, Shiga Prefecture and Otsu City for their excellent support, both financial and logistical, which contributed to the success of the Meeting. Appreciation was also expressed to UNESCAP and all the participants for the successful adoption of the BMF, and that Governments would make every effort to incorporate the BMF into their considerations on disability issues.

    VI. 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

12. The Biwako Millennium Framework was presented, demonstrating the principles, targets, actions, strategies, and monitoring and review processes required to achieve the goals of the BMF.

13. Three modifications or clarifications were made to wording in BMF paragraph 43 and targets 9 and 16. ESCAP reported that a project proposal was being prepared to determine base-line data in the seven priority areas, and also for the dissemination of the BMF document to all governments in the ESCAP region. It was clarified that there would not be a signatory process for the BMF but that the Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region would remain valid. The BMF would be presented to the Commission session in April 2003 for endorsement by all ESCAP members and associate members. It was noted that the development of national plans of action by the end of 2004 was very important, and that a mechanism was needed to promote such development in each country. It was further noted that there is a need for reporting from governments to be more specific, with quantitative and qualitative data.

14. Strengths of the BMF included reference to the needs of the deaf-blind, and to the importance of family groups. It was envisaged that there would be close inter-regional collaboration and the mechanism for this was currently under consideration. It was emphasized that the BMF must be made part of the planning processes in each country and area, and that in many instances it would be necessary for strong advocacy by NGOs, including self-help organizations (SHOs), to governments to implement the BMF.

15. It was reported that the Government of China may host a regional meeting in early April 2003 to prepare for the second ad hoc committee meeting to be held in New York in June 2003 to consider a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. It was envisaged that a second regional meeting would be held later in 2003 to respond to the second ad hoc committee meeting. A World Summit on the Information Society would be held in Geneva in December 2003, and an Asian regional preparatory meeting would be held in Japan in January 2003. TWGDC members and their networks were urged to attend.

    VII. EVALUATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TWGDC AND CONSIDERATION OF ITS FUTURE ROLE IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BIWAKO MILLENNIUM FRAMEWORK

16. It was noted that it was necessary to review the past achievements of the TWGDC during its two-year framework, before determining the best way forward to support and promote the BMF and the second decade of Persons with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region. Reference was made to the recommendation of the fourth session of TWGDC in June 2002 that the TWGDC be continued as the key coordination mechanism to support the achievement of the goals and targets of the BMF, and to Ms Okaido's comments urging members to reiterate this recommendation at the fifth session of TWGDC.

17. A review of the Objectives of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the TWGDC, formulated on 16 December 2000, indicated that all seven objectives had been met. Particular reference was made to the importance of the Agenda for Action in guiding policy and promoting the formulation and passage of disability legislation, and of the advocacy undertaken at every opportunity to place disability issues in mainstream development and on the agenda of Governments. The seventh session of the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries, held at Bangkok in May 2002, was a case in point. The annual campaigns of the Asian and Pacific Decade had considerable impact on Government awareness and policy in the countries and areas in which they were held. Resource persons from within the region had been widely used in the provision of technical assistance, indicating increased regional capability and capacity. The four Task Forces of TWGDC had been active and effective mechanisms for increasing partnerships and collaborative action with United Nations and government agencies and NGOs, including increasing collaboration with organizations of disabled persons.

18. Information on global and regional events had been widely shared through communication networking. Particular emphasis had been placed on ensuring full dissemination of all developments concerning the proposed comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. A collaborative and supportive relationship had been formed with the African Decade of Disabled Persons, and consideration was currently being given to mechanisms to enhance this process.

19. Four of the specific targets of the TWGDC had been comprehensively achieved. These included the evaluation of the achievements of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, and the planning and organization of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade, held in Otsu, Shiga, Japan, October 2002. Best practices of achievements from governmental and NGO agencies had been identified and comprehensively disseminated in the form of the ESCAP publication "Pathfinders: Towards Full Participation and Equality of Persons with Disabilities in the ESCAP Region".

20. Afghanistan signed the Proclamation in October 2002, becoming the forty-third signatory. The following countries and territories have still not signed the Proclamation, and further focused action is required to address this issue in the next decade: American Samoa, Armenia, Azerbaijan, French Polynesia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Nauru, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana islands, Papua New Guinea, Russian Federation, Tajikstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu and Uzbekistan. Further action is also required to encourage and advocate to those governments which have signed the Proclamation but have taken limited action towards implementation of the Agenda for Action.

21. The TWGDC has played a significant role in supporting the final two years of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, evaluating its achievements, and assisting in the process which led to the development of the BMF and its adoption at Otsu in October 2002. The objectives and targets which the TWGDC set itself in December 2000 have, with two exceptions, been comprehensively achieved. The TWGDC has provided a dynamic coordination mechanism which has fostered partnerships for action which have immeasurably enhanced the achievements of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.

22. New Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) were presented, discussed and comprehensively endorsed, with the recommendation that TWGDC be extended for a further two-year period, for the specific purpose of promoting and providing support to the implementation of the BMF during the second Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012. The TWGDC stated that the coordinating mechanism be maintained even if it was not within the United Nations Heads of Agency structure. Draft TOR are attached as Annex II.

23. It was suggested that membership of the TWGDC be reviewed, with the intent to involve more governments, and to have a more active role played by United Nations agencies. More effective channels of communication to the heads of agencies as well as at grassroots level needed to be developed.

24. Consideration was given to establishing new task forces. It was determined that notice in writing be given to the secretariat of intent to form a new Task Force. There was strong support for the formation of a Task Force on the International Convention.

    VIII. TASK FORCE ACTION REPORTS

    A. Information and communication technology (ICT)

25. It was reported that the accessibility and policy guidelines recommended by the ICT Accessibility Seminar held in Bangkok, and endorsed by the ICT Task Force to the fourth session of TWGDC, with minor revision, was successfully incorporated into the BMF.

26. Notice was given of the preparatory meetings which would be held for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to be held in Geneva in December 2003. Details are available in the Minutes of the Task Force on ICT, attached in Annex III. Task Force members were encouraged to give input to preparatory meetings and to contact the ESCAP ICST Division and relevant government agencies in each country and territory in order to raise awareness of ICT accessibility during preparation for the WSIS.

    B. Education for all children and youth with disabilities (EFA)

27. The report of the Task Force is attached as Annex IV. Extensive discussion on the implications of the BMF were held and the following recommendations made:

    1. That a letter be written to Judy Heumann, Adviser to the World Bank on Disability, explaining the purpose of the TWGDC Task Force, the situation of children with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific region, and requesting World Bank funding to hold a meeting to develop a project proposal for capacity building over a 5- year period in selected countries of the region, with particular focus on:

    1. Raising Government awareness and commitment

    2. Strengthening education systems, including pre- and in-service teacher training

    3. Community level awareness advocacy and involvement in educational provision

    2. The TF EFA will promote the organization of a regional seminar in 2003 to formulate a strategy to implement the early detection, early intervention and education targets of the Biwako Millennium Framework within the region. ESCAP will be requested to organize a seminar attended by all key stakeholders, including United Nations agencies; Governments; a broad range of international, regional and national NGOs; and experts in the education of children and youth with disabilities, including experts who are persons with disabilities.

    3. The TF EFA will seek representation on the Thematic Working Group of the Subregional Forum on EFA (SRF EFA).

    4. The TF EFA will seek representation on the Flagship on Education for All (EFA) and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Towards Inclusion, which is currently in the process of defining its structure and goals, and which has its secretariat in Norway, to ensure representation of the Asian and Pacific region on this body.

    5. The TF EFA strongly recommended to the TWGDC that proactive measures be taken to ensure that all ESCAP members and associate members which have not yet signed the Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region do so in the earliest stage of the second Asian and Pacific Decade, 2003-2012.

    C. Entrepreneurial training, small business and income generation activity and development, including self-employment

28. Twenty-five case studies had been received from countries and areas of the region and were in the process of compilation, and preparations for establishing a database for networking was underway. The importance of marketing linkages were discussed, as was the need for a database to promote effective implementation.

29. The Task Force endorsed the recommendation that it should continue with a focus on employment, which was broader than entrepreneurship, and that henceforth it would be known as the Task Force on Employment. The Task Force also recommended the continuation of TWGDC, and that its functions would be to collaborate effectively with different sectors and work towards implementing the employment related targets of the BMF. The report of the Task Force is attached as Annex V.

    D. East Timor

30. The Task Force on East Timor reported that contact with the Ministry of Labour and Solidarity had been difficult since the departure of Ms Ciara Knudsen of UNTAET and her local counterpart, who had also left his position. Effort was needed to clarify clear communication channels with the Government.

31. A number of initiatives had taken place in East Timor and more were planned but coordination of effort was essential. Reports were received on the RI/Asia Trust mission to and project in East Timor, with consideration currently being given to supporting community-based initiatives, and from CBM-SEAPRO and developments undertaken by the ILO. Details are available in the report of the Task Force on East Timor, attached as Annex VI.

32. The Task Force on East Timor recommended the continuation of TWGDC in 2003 and beyond, and also recommended the continuation of the Task Force, but with an enlarged focus to include East Timor and Afghanistan.

    IX. OTHER MATTERS

33. It was agreed that the Power Point presentation on the BMF would be made available to TWGDC members to assist them in disseminating the BMF widely.

34. The TWGDC was informed that the second ad hoc meeting to consider the International Convention on persons with disabilities would be held in New York, 19-26 June 2003.

35. ESCAP reported on the World Bank Conference on Disability, held in Washington DC, 3 December 2002, and attended by 600 people. It was the first major conference ever held by the World Bank on disability, with the focus on disability within the context of poverty alleviation. The World Bank is promoting the inclusion of disability into national reports and is instituting data collection on persons with disabilities. The Asian and Pacific region was the only region to have incorporated disability into the Millennium Development Goals. NGOs were encouraged to contact World Bank officials at national level to explore ways of networking.

36. The TWFDC was informed that Mr. Yutaka Takamine, Social Affairs Officer, ESCAP, had received the Government of Japan Prime Minister's award for services to the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. The TWGDC congratulated him on this well-deserved honour and also paid tribute to Ms. Yuenwah San, who had contributed much to the achievements of the Decade.