General News
PDF Weekly Update, May 2013
Greetings from the Pacific Disability Forum!
Inclusive approaches was an issue that came out powerfully at the recent Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction Conference that was held from the 19 - 23 May 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland.
PDF would like to acknowledge Ms. Elenoa Kaisau from the Fiji Disabled Persons Federation and Mr. Katabwena Tawaka; the Programme Manager for Pacific Disability Forum and other supporting organisations and individuals who were also there in Geneva for their drive and support on this issue, which has ensured that within this inclusive approach, persons living with disabilities will be included in the planning and implementation stages of disaster reduction policies.
This week, we take a look at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland, a Joint Press Release on the 2013 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Side Event on Disability Inclusiveness; the UNESCO global report on opening new avenues for empowerment; ICT to access information and knowledge for persons with disabilities; CyclePower: Creating change in Fiji and Victoria and Scholarships for 5 special students.
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction; May 19 โ 23, Geneva, Switzerland
Over the past four days, members of the Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk reduction Network for Asia and the Pacific, (DiDRRN) have been advocating disability inclusiveness at the fourth session Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Geneva from the 19 โ 23 May 2013. Pacific Disability Forum is a member of the network and was represented at the platform by Ms Elenoa Kaisau (FDPF) and PDF Programme Manager Mr Katabwena Tawaka.
Ms Elenoa Kaisau spoke at the side event โDisability Inclusiveness: widening the participation of Persons with Disabilities in the post 2015 framework in Disaster Risk Reductionโ using the experiences from the Fiji Disability Inclusive Disaster Preparedness and Risk reduction Management project. Mr Tawaka, the PDF focal Point to the Network attended the platform to coordinate disability inclusive advocacy initiatives with other focal points from the Asia region.
The disability inclusive recommendations presented to the official delegation included:
1. HFA2 should recognise the cross-cutting issue of disability-inclusion and all stakeholders should take appropriate action to respond to the disproportionate impact that disasters have on persons with disabilities.
2. HFA2 should address the significance of investing in disability-inclusive DRR to minimise human and economic loss, safeguard development gains and promote sustainable solutions benefiting all communities.
3. HFA2 should ensure the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities, their families, representative organisations of persons with disabilities and all DRR stakeholders at all levels within DRR policy and practice. Such participation, and universal accessibility, is best ensured by mobilising the expertise and strengths of persons with disabilities themselves.
Video clip on presentation of recommendation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqh5oKdJrsA
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Source: PDFList
When: 03/6/2013
