Regional Seminar on Capacity-Building for National Disabled Peoples’ Organization in Promotion of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
"To Strengthen the Capacity of Self-help Organization of Persons with Disabilities to Promote and Advocate the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)"
Date : 2-4 July 2008
Venue : Prince Palace Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Organized by
DISABLED PEOPLES’ INTERNATIONAL ASIA-PACIFIC
(DPI-AP)
Supported by
ABILIS Foundation and DPI-Thailand
INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on December 13, 2006, after 4 years and a half of negotiation participated by the member states of the UN representative organizations of persons with disabilities and civil society. The CRPD was opened for signature by states on 30 March 2007. In the history of the UN, it was the shortest negotiated convention. Recently, there are 125
signatories to the convention, 71 signatories to the Optional Protocol, 17 ratifications of
the Convention and 11 ratifications of the Protocol. Disable Peoples’ International
(DPI/AP), a global federation of national organizations of persons with disabilities in 142
countries and territories to which DPI/AP is a regional office covering 26 member
countries in Asia and the Pacific region where 400 million disabled people are living in
and 250 million of them are of working age. DPI has followed very seriously the day to
day progress of the negotiations under the helm of the Ad Hoc Committee which was
tasked by the UN General Assembly to negotiate the convention. After that, DPI
Headquarters in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada, was mandated by the DPI World
Council to work very closely with its national assemblies to help them build on their
capacities to engage and work with their governments to ratify and implement the CRPD.
To do this, DPI has produced Ratification and Implementation toolkits to assist its
member organizations in actively participating in States initiatives to reflect the spirit of
the CRPD in their national laws. Production of the tool kits was supported by the Finnish
Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Utilizing Convention Ratification/Implementation Tool Kit and mobilizing the expertise
of the Disability leaders who joined the negotiation process at the UN Ad Hoc Committee
of the International Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, DPI/AP will
organize a regional seminar from 2 – 4 July 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand. Through sharing
lessons and learns, the participants in the Asia-Pacific region will deepen their
understanding of the convention itself, the implementation of the convention and the
expected roles of DPOs in alignment with the implementation of Biwako Millennium
Framework (BMF), a regional policy and action guideline on disability inclusive
development in accordance with Millennium Development Goal (MDG). After this
training, the DPOs of the ex-participants will actively organize the advocacy campaign
and raise public awareness aiming at signing/ratification/implementation of the
convention and future development of anti-discrimination legislation by own respecting
governments.
2. TRAINING SCHEDULE
2 – 4 July 2008
3. DEADLINE OF APPLICATION
20 June 2008
4. TRAINING OBJECTIVES
- To raise awareness of all stakeholders regarding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its important human rights convention towards ratification and implementation in alignment with BMF.
- To strengthen the advocacy capacities of self help organizations of persons with disabilities for raising awareness of all stakeholders for the development of anti
discrimination legislation in their home countries.
5. COUNTRIES INVITED AND PARTICIPANTS
5.1 DPI-AP MEMBER COUNTRIES
DPI-AP will give priority to the 26 member countries to apply for the training as follows:
| 1. Australia |
14. Mongolia |
| 2. Bangladesh |
15. Nepal |
| 3. Cambodia |
16. New Zealand |
| 4. China |
17. Pakistan |
| 5. Cook Islands |
18. Papua New Guinea |
| 6. Fiji |
19. Philippines |
| 7. India |
20. Samoa |
| 8. Indonesia |
21. Singapore |
| 9. Japan |
22. Solomon Islands |
| 10. Lao PDR |
23. South Korea |
| 11. Lebanon |
24. Sri Lanka |
| 12. Malaysia |
25. Thailand |
| 13. Maldives |
26. Vanuatu |
* As for Lebanon, the DPI World Council at the 7th
DPI World Assembly held in September 2007 in South Korea approved the establishment of the Arab region where Lebanon will be relocated to. However, Lebanon is welcomed to join this training on the basis of self-support.
5.2 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
However, ONLY participants from the following developing countries are entitled to receive supports for traveling and accommodation:
| 1. Bangladesh |
10. Mongolia |
| 2. Cambodia |
11. Nepal |
| 3. Cook Islands |
12. Pakistan |
| 4. Fiji |
13. Papua New Guinea |
| 5. India |
14. Philippines |
| 6. Indonesia |
15. Samoa |
| 7. Laos |
16. Solomon Islands |
| 8. Malaysia |
17. Sri Lanka |
| 9. Maldives |
18. Vanuatu |
6. SUPPORT FOR PARTICIPANTS
Participants from the countries listed in “Section 5.2 - DEVELOPING COUNTRIES” will be given support on the followings:
- Round trip airfare plus visa fee and airport tax (ONE PERSON/ONE
COUNTRY ONLY)
- Accommodation at Prince Palace Hotel (see “Section 8 –
ACCOMMODATION”)
Participants from countries NOT listed in “Section 5.2 - DEVELOPING COUNTRIES” MUST bear all their traveling expenses and accommodation on their own.
However, all participants will be supported with:
- Transportation
- Lunch
- Dinner
* Breakfast is included in the accommodation.
7. VENUE
Prince Palace Hotel
Address : 488/800 Bo Bae Tower Damrongrak Road, Klong Mahanak, Pomprab, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Tel. (662) 628-1111
Fax. (662) 628-1000
Website : http://www.princepalace.co.th/
8. ACCOMMODATION
Same place as above
Room Rates at Prince Palace Hotel
| NO |
ROOM TYPE |
RATE (BAHT/NIGHT) |
| 1 |
Single Room |
1,500 |
| 2 |
Twin Room |
1,700 |
Please note that NOT many hotels in Thailand are accessible for persons with disabilities. The hotel (Prince Palace Hotel) has been informed that there may be some participants using wheelchairs or with other types of disabilities to stay at the hotel during the training in July 2008, so they will make necessary arrangements for your stay prior to your arrival. However, as DPI-AP has been using this hotel quite often, the accessibility in the hotel is fairly reasonable. Please inform us in advance in case you need any arrangements
concerning accessibility for your stay.
Accommodation for the participants from the countries listed in “Section 5.2 – DEVELOPING COUNTRIES” will be handled by DPI-AP. For other expenses, please see “Section 10 – PAYMENT OF HOTEL ACCOUNTS”.
9. AIRLINE RESERVATIONS
Many international airlines operate regular services to and from Bangkok. Participants are advised to secure their return bookings prior to their departure for Bangkok.
10. PAYMENT OF HOTEL ACCOUNTS
DPI-AP will support the accommodation for ONLY participants from the countries listed in “Section 5.2 - DEVELOPING COUNTRIES” on the basis of ONE COUNTRY-ONE PERSON. Please note that DPI will support room charges ONLY. All other expenses e.g. local and long-distance telephone calls, Internet/business center usage, laundry, hotel transportation services, mini-bar items, as well as restaurant and bar services must be borne by participants. All other participants not listed in “Section 5.2 - DEVELOPING COUNTRIES” MUST bear all expenses incurred by their own and are required to settle all payments, if any, before departure from Bangkok.
11. REIMBURSEMENT
ONLY participants from the countries listed in “Section 5.2 - DEVELOPING COUNTRIES” are entitled for reimbursement of their traveling expenses. Please prepare the following documents for DPI-AP for your reimbursement:
- Genuine receipt of round-trip airfare ticket
- Genuine receipt of visa to Thailand
- Genuine receipt of airport tax (if applicable)
Please note that copies/photocopies of the above documents CANNOT be used for reimbursement at all. Additionally, any other traveling expenses NOT specified in this
section MUST be borne by participants.
12. REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS
There is NO REGISTRATION FEE for the training. Applicants can apply for the training by:
After completing the form, please submit it to DPI-AP secretariat team by 20 JUNE 2008 through the contact details provided at “Section 20 – COMMUNICATIONS”. Badge distribution and on-site registration will be rendered on the first day 1 hour or more
before the training start.
13. REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICATION
- be proficient in spoken and written English
- be in good health in order to complete the training course
14. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
According to the Immigration Bureau of Thailand as of 26 October 2007, nationals of the following countries/regions may enter and stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 30 days without a visa. However, if the duration of stay is expected to exceed 30 days, an appropriate entry visa must be obtained in advance from Thai diplomatic or consular missions.
| 1. Brunei Darussalam |
8. Oman |
| 2. Hong Kong, China |
9. Philippines |
| 3. Indonesia |
10. Qatar |
| 4. Kuwait |
11. Singapore |
| 5. Lao PDR |
12. Turkey |
| 6. Macao, China |
13. United Arab Emirates |
| 7. Malaysia |
14. Viet Nam |
Nationals of the following countries may enter and stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days without a visa. However, if the duration of stay is expected to exceed 90 days, an appropriate entry visa must be obtained in advance from Thai diplomatic or
consular missions:
1. Republic of Korea
Nationals holding valid diplomatic or official passport of the following countries may
enter and stay in Thailand for 30 days as specified in the relevant visa waiver agreements
between Thailand and the countries concerned.
| 1. Cambodia |
4. Mongolia |
| 2. China |
5. Myanmar |
| 3. Lao PDR |
6. Viet Nam |
Nationals holding valid diplomatic or official passport of the following countries may enter and stay in Thailand for 90 days as specified in the relevant visa waiver agreements between Thailand and the countries concerned.
| 1. Bhutan |
6. Oman |
| 2. India |
7. Philippines |
| 3. Japan |
8. Republic of Korea |
| 4. Malaysia |
9. Singapore |
| 5. Nepal |
10. Turkey |
Nationals of the following countries may be granted, by the Thai immigration authority at Suvarnabhumi Airport, a visa for a stay not exceeding 15 days upon arrival, conditional on meeting certain requirements:
| 1. Bhutan |
4. Maldives |
| 2. China |
5. Saudi Arabia |
| 3. India |
6. Taiwan |
These requirements are as follows:
- The applicant must be in possession of a valid passport or an appropriate
travel document recognized by the Government of Thailand;
- The applicant must be in possession of an air ticket valid for a return journey
within 15 days;
- The applicant must provide two passport-size photographs and pay a visa fee
of approximately 1,000 Baht.
Participants from countries other than those listed above are requested to obtain an appropriate entry visa from the Thai diplomatic or consular missions at the point of origin or en route prior to entering Thailand
The information provided above is accurate as of the date of issuance of this note. All participants are advised to consult with the diplomatic mission/embassy of Thailand in their respective country regarding the latest applicable immigration requirement prior to their departure.
For more information, please visit http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/
15. WEATHER AND FOOD
The weather in Thailand in July is a little cool and humid for it is the rainy season. Heavy rain and storms can be expected at anytime.
Thai cuisine is known for its balance of five fundamental flavors in each dish or the overall meal - hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty and bitter (optional). Most Thai food uses fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices as well as fish sauce. For those who cannot eat spicy food, there are plenty of Western restaurants easily found everywhere in the country or you may like to try Thai food adapted for foreigners. For those who have food
restriction, please give us details in your application form for appropriate arrangements.
16. HEALTH AND VACCINATION
Smoking is now prohibited in all public areas in Thailand. Participants are allowed to smoke only in designated areas. Yellow fever vaccination is required for participants from countries where the disease is endemic. Participants are recommended to have had vaccinations against food-borne diseases, such as hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid.
17. FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Participants may bring with them into Thailand unrestricted sums of foreign currency in the form of traveler’s cheques, drafts, letter of credit or other banking instruments which may be exchanged for Thai currency, called Baht, at the prevailing exchange rates. One USD, as of 18 March 2008, is approximately equal to 31.6 THB 2 (1 USD = 31.6 THB).
Participants may be required to declare the amount of traveler’s cheques or currency in their possession on arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Exchange facilities are available at hotels.
18. RECEPTION ON ARRIVAL
The expected dates and times of arrival in and departure from Bangkok and flight numbers of the participants should be submitted to the DPI-AP secretariat team (please see “Section 20 – COMMUNICATIONS”). DPI-AP will provide transportation and
volunteers to take participants from the airport to the hotel. After the immigration,participants are required to proceed to gate B or preferably C and look for a person holding the logo of DPI-AP as illustrated below:
Most likely, it will take us only 30-60 minutes to travel from the airport to the hotel depending on the traffic situation. In any circumstances you cannot find any persons from DPI-AP at all, please print out the map below and give it to taxi drivers, which are available in front of the airport, to take you to the hotel, which is known to most taxi drivers:
The taxi fee is approximately 300 THB excluding express way tolls and 50 THB service charges from a taxi company.
19. TRANSPORTATION FROM AND TO AIRPORT
DPI/AP will provide pick-up and send-off transportation at Suvarnbhumi Airport. In this regard, participants are required to provide details of dates and times of arrival in and departure from Bangkok and flight numbers 2 weeks in advance prior to the commencement of the training. Detailed information about Suvarnabhumi Airport can
be found at http://www.airportsuvarnbhumi.com. Please note that the Don Muang Airport, the old Bangkok International Airport, currently handles domestic flights only.
20. COMMUNICATIONS
For further information of the training, please contact:
Mr. Sawang Srisom, Assistant Regional Development Officer
Ms. Worapan Buranasilpin, Coordinator
Disabled Peoples’ International Asia-Pacific (DPI-AP)
29/486 Moo.9, Soi.12 Muangthong Thani,
Bangpood, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120 THAILAND
Tel : (662) 503-4268-9 Fax: (662) 503-4268-9
E-mail : sawang@dpiap.org, littledooky@hotmail.com
Website : http://www.dpiap.org
