DPI

Thinking Ahead for an โ€˜Extendedโ€™ Decade! for People with Disabilities in the Asia-Pacific

Thinking Ahead for an โ€˜Extendedโ€™ Decade! for People with Disabilities in the Asia-Pacific

April 13, 2010

Dear Colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region,

Greetings to you all from Korea.

As some of you might be aware that the final review of the 2nd Decade of Asia-Pacific Persons with Disabilities will be held in Korea in 2012 (it is expected to be officially announced at the 66th Commission in May). With regard to conclusion of the Decade, there have been some thoughts and suggestions beyond the 2nd Decade amongst people working in the disability field. To co-ordinate flows of thinking in exploring the issue around the region, a Steering Group was formed at the beginning of this year by people representing disability fields including academics and DPOs .

We are writing to you to share some views about how we might pool ideas together with the approaching end of the Second Decade of Asia-Pacific Persons with Disabilities (2003-2012). The subject we wish to explore with you is the rationale for moving towards extending the current Second Decade further. No doubt, this will invite observations and comments from you all in thinking about the achievements and shortcomings of the Second Decade.

With the above in mind, we thought it might be useful to share some ideas as we all represent views from different regions and DPOs. We would like to express our thinking at this stage in the first place and would invite your views re. the above matter.

Views of Korean Steering Committee on the Post-2nd Decade

We are still in the process of forming our position. However, we are of the view that nations within the region should act collectively to encourage ratification of the CRPD and actively participate in monitoring the subsequent implementation of the CRPD. In this context, we might recall that the UNโ€™s Secretary-General in his Day of Persons with Disabilities speech had called for the implementation and universality of the landmark United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He noted that persons with disabilities encounter many disadvantages, and are often among societyโ€™s poorest and most excludedโ€.

  1. The DPOs in the Region have every reason to be proud of themselves in making a concrete contribution in the UNโ€™s adoption of the CRPD with sustained efforts through BMF+five and other activities to support it. However, UNESCAP that has been the backbone of the 1st and 2nd Decades have concerns about the fact that the Region is still lagging behind in achieving specific objectives which are critical in achieving inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society. To cite but one specific example with specific reference to the overall objectives of MDGsโ€™ with its 18 general objectives and 48 monitoring indices, it is clear that persons with disabilities have not been a part of mainstream development efforts and the majority of them are still trapped in poverty and remain powerless.
  2. We are of the view that if we would ever to launch the Third Decade, the overall goal and objectives should be directed to ensuring capacity building of individuals, communities and DPOs.
  3. It is our strong view that the Region exploits the International Co-operation (as noted in CRPD Article 32 International Cooperation), as one of the main strategies in achieving goals of the Third Decade.
  4. Having experienced the last 2 Decades, we envisage weather another โ€˜Decadeโ€™ continues to be adopted or a new time-scale might need to be introduced.
  5. We have also thought about the strategic goals to be pursued as a Pan Asia Pacific Vision or Sub-regional Visions.
  6. In connection with the above, we shall be most grateful if you could provide your comments by returning your comments to the attached questions by 23th April, 2010.

With best regards,

Dr. Il-Yung Lee, M.D. President of RI Korea

Kim, Dae-Sung, General Secretary DPI Korea

Post-2nd Decade Steering Committee

Prof. Hyung Shik Kim, Convenor, Prof. Korea University of International Studies

Hanjin Jo, Prof. Social Work, Daegu Univ

Jaeyoung Yoon, Team leader, Planning and Development, Sahmyook Welfare Foundation

Jogbae Kim, Team leader, National Rehabilitation Center, Ex-prof. University of Pittsburgh

Dongchul Yoo, Prof. Social Work, Dongeui Univ.

Woonwhan Nah, Prof. Vocational rehabilitation, Daegu Univ, AP regional chair, Division of Policy & Services, RI

Yeja Lee, Chair, National Coalition of Disabled People

Mijoo Kim, Chair, Cultural Community of Women with Disabilities Consultant, World Bank

Heungshik Jo, Prof. Social work, Seoul Univ

Wongyu Choi, Prof. Social Work, Jeonbuk Univ, Chair, Commission of โ€˜R&Dโ€™ of APDF

Myonghwa Yoo, General Secretary, KSRPD

Inwhan Seo, General Secretary, KOFOD

Source: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHBYekdRTzZ5S0pLdm9QbS1jOFRhb0E6MA

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When: 7/2/2014

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