ADDC Bulletin May 30th, 2013
CONTENTS
ADDC Bulletin May 30th, 2013 ............................................................................................. 1
CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................1
Welcome to the May 30th, 2013 ADDC’s Bulletin. .................................................................3
Follow ADDC on Twitter....................................................................................................3
Disclaimer: .....................................................................................................................3
UPDATES .................................................................................................................. 3
FOCUS ...........................................................................................................................3
Further Australian support for polio eradication ...................................................................4
Polio eradication efforts need money and political commitment .............................................4
Gates interview with his views on vaccination .....................................................................5
UNICEF World Report: The State of the World’s Children 2013 - Children with Disabilities ........5
66th World Health Assembly adopts resolution calling for better health care for people with
disabilities ......................................................................................................................7
Blindness Prevention and NCDs at the World Health Assembly ..............................................7
Study on the situation of indigenous persons with disabilities ................................................8
Indigenous persons with disabilities present study to the UNPFII ...........................................8
Beyond 2015 ..................................................................................................................9
The European Disability Movement Calls for a Social Way Out Of The Crisis ............................9
Nominations Open for the ESCAP-Sasakawa Award for Disability-Inclusive Business in AsiaPacific .......................................................................................................................... 10
Call to include people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction plans .................................. 11
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Pacific CSOs, including Feminist groups, engage with Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on
Conflict, Peace and Security and Wider Gender Equality, Human Rights, and Sustainable
Development Issues ..................................................................................................... 12
Pakistani Doctors Earn “Only Gratitude” for Treating Fistula ................................................ 14
CONFERENCES and EVENTS .................................................................................... 15
Refer to ADDC website: Calendar of Events for new items .................................................. 15
Refer to Global Development International calendar .......................................................... 15
3rd Global Mental Health Summit .................................................................................... 15
Invitation LCD/UCL Conference: Promoting equity: cross-cutting disability in international
development research.................................................................................................... 15
Call for Best Community Inclusion Projects in Europe ......................................................... 16
EMPLOYMENT and FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES........................................................ 17
Country Coordinator Haiti’ .............................................................................................. 17
RESOURCES ............................................................................................................ 17
AusAID Focus magazine ................................................................................................. 17
Disability and Diversity .................................................................................................. 17
Look who is on Facebook!............................................................................................... 18
Launch of State of the World’s Children 2013: Children with Disabilities -UNICEF’s ................ 18
Intellectual Disability- YouTube ....................................................................................... 19
UNESCO global report: opening new avenues for empowerment: ........................................ 19
All-Staff Disability Orientation including ASL and subtitles .................................................. 19
Children with disabilities in Asia Pacific ............................................................................. 20
This photo story illustrates the situation that children in the Asia Pacific region face. ............. 20
NEWSLETTERS: OTHER ORGANISATIONS ............................................................... 20
PDF Weekly Update - 24th May 2013 ................................................................................ 20
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction; May 19 – 23, Geneva, Switzerland .................... 20
2013 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Side Event on Disability Inclusiveness......... 21
CyclePower: Creating change in Fiji and Victoria ............................................................... 22
Five students from the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons have been offered Government
scholarships ................................................................................................................. 22
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Welcome to the May 30th, 2013 ADDC’s Bulletin.
The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide information on Disability Inclusive Development across
organisations working to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities both here in
Australia and across the world.
Generic disability and domestic information will be included in our Bulletins when possible as part
of our commitment to disability advocacy and strengthening partnerships: however our focus
remains on disability & development issues.
We appreciate your contributions to make these bulletins a valuable resource providing Updates
and Information on Conferences or Events, Employment and Funding Opportunities and
Resources for Disability Inclusive Practice.
Follow ADDC on Twitter
Disclaimer:
ADDC does not necessarily endorse all opinions that are within the contents of our information
and we make every attempt to validate information prior to distribution. If you notice any
anomalies or have information on updated versions of our information, please forward to ADDC
Secretariat.
UPDATES
FOCUS
AusAID have released their quarterly publication of Focus. This edition has a wonderful
feature on ‘Disability and Development. An edition not to be missed!
Disability means different things to different people, and those with disability know the
challenges, and rewards, that this can bring.
For people with disability in developing countries—estimated to number around 1 billion—the
challenges can be far greater. People with disability in some places face exclusion and stigma,
with all kinds of social and physical barriers to participation—from being unable to access
buildings to being denied access to information, from being deprived of an education to being
prevented from gaining opportunities to work and be independent.
Stereotypes and lack of community understanding around disability can also lead to
discrimination and shame. Sometimes even within families, exclusion can occur for people with
disability.
However, the solutions are often so simple to achieve.
Link: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/focusonline/Documents/focus-feb-may-2013.pdf
Source: AusAID
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Further Australian support for polio eradication
Joint media release:
The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister, Senator the Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs
28 May 2013
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced further funding to help
eradicate polio – a debilitating disease that continues to strike the world's most vulnerable
people, especially children.
Australia will provide $80 million over four years from 2015 to 2018 to help finish the job and
achieve worldwide polio eradication.
This contribution follows a $50 million commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative from
2011 to 2014 announced by the Prime Minister at the Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting in Perth in October 2011.
The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister applauded the leadership shown by the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Rotary International on
polio. The Gates Foundation is contributing US$1.8 billion for the Polio Endgame Strategic Plan
2013 – 2018, which is one-third of the total budget.
Australia has a proud history of support for polio eradication. From 1912 to 1972, more than
30,000 cases of paralytic poliomyelitis were reported in Australia, and a number of polio survivors
in Australia today still live with the pain and debilitation of post-polio syndrome.
It was Australia's Sir Clem Renouf who, as President of Rotary International in 1978 and 1979,
led the international campaign to vaccinate every child against polio. As a result of these early
efforts by Rotary, the global community came together in 1988 to launch the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative.
Since 1988, there has been a reduction in the number of polio cases by 99.9 per cent. Following
the certification of India as polio-free in 2012, polio remains endemic in only Afghanistan,
Pakistan and Nigeria. The world now has polio eradication within its reach. This would be the
second disease to be eradicated globally after small pox and a major victory for international aid
and public health.
The new contribution brings Australia's total commitment to polio eradication to over $130
million. Our aim is to help eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunisation.
Source: AusAID
Polio eradication efforts need money and political commitment
Global health campaigner Bill Gates is in Sydney today to lobby Prime Minister Julia Gillard to
spend more money on global health, particularly the fight against malaria and polio. But while
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money may indeed further efforts toward malaria’s eradication, the case of polio is a bit more
complicated.
The killing of more than 20 polio vaccinators in Pakistan and Nigeria during the past six months
has signaled a potentially crippling setback to global efforts to eradicate polio. Only a high level of
political commitment to ensure health workers remain safe will enable the program to succeed.
Commonly known as polio, poliomyelitis can kill or cause lifelong paralysis. The highly infectious
virus that invades the nervous system mainly affects children under the age of three.
The global polio eradication initiative launched in 1988 is extremely close to victory. When the
initiative began in 1988, the illness paralysed or killed 350,000 people, mainly children, every
year. Last year, there were just 223 cases worldwide (less than 0.1% of the 1988 caseload).
All but six of these were in the three countries where polio is endemic, meaning that they have
never managed to interrupt polio transmission – Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. (The other
three cases were in Chad, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.)
Link to full article: http://goo.gl/V6ZtC
Click for link to Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018
Source: Sam Byfield
Gates interview with his views on vaccination
WATCH the extended version of Bill Gates interview with his views on vaccination & hopes for the
future: abc.net.au/news/2013-05-2…
Source: abc730 via Twitter
UNICEF World Report: The State of the World’s Children 2013 - Children with
Disabilities
About The State of the World’s Children
Each year, UNICEF’s flagship publication, The State of the World's Children, closely examines a
key issue affecting children. The State of the Word’s Children website includes digital versions of
report component such as supporting data, statistics and stories in addition to online only
features.
The 2013 edition of The State of the World’s Children is dedicated to the situation of children with
disabilities. The report examines the barriers – from inaccessible buildings to dismissive attitudes,
from invisibility in official statistics to vicious discrimination – that deprive children with
disabilities of their rights and keep them from participating fully in society. It also lays out some
of the key elements of inclusive societies that respect and protect the rights of children with
disabilities, adequately support them and their families, and nurture their abilities – so that they
may take advantage of opportunities to flourish and make their contribution to the world
Link to report: http://www.unicef.org/sowc2013/
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FOREWORD: The State of the World’s Children
Is there a child who does not dream of being counted and having her or his gifts and talents
recognized? No. All children have hopes and dreams – including children with disabilities. And all
children deserve a fair chance to make their dreams real.
This edition of The State of the World’s Children includes contributions by young people and
parents who show that, when given that chance, children with disabilities are more than capable
of overcoming barriers to their inclusion, of taking their rightful place as equal participants in
society and of enriching the life of their communities.
But for far too many children with disabilities, the opportunity to participate simply does not exist.
Far too often, children with disabilities are among the last in line for resources and services,
especially where these are scarce to begin with. Far too regularly, they are the objects simply of
pity or, worse, discrimination and abuse.
The deprivations faced by children and adolescents with disabilities are violations of their rights
and the principle of equity, at the heart of which lies a concern for the dignity and rights of all
children – including the most vulnerable and marginalized members of society.
As this report documents, the inclusion of children with disabilities in society is
possible – but it requires first a change of perception, a recognition that children with
disabilities hold the same rights as others; that they can be agents of change and selfdetermination, not merely the beneficiaries of charity; that their voices must be heard
and heeded in our policymaking and programmes.
We contribute to their exclusion by failing to gather enough data to inform our decisions. When
we fail to count these children, we are failing to help them count for all they should in their
societies.
Fortunately, progress is being made – albeit unevenly. This report not only examines the
challenges involved in ensuring that children with disabilities have the fair access to services that
is their right. It also explores initiatives that show promise in such areas as health, nutrition,
education and emergency programming – and in the data collection and analysis needed to
improve policies and operations in all these fields. Other chapters also discuss principles and
approaches that can be adapted to advance these children’s inclusion.
Somewhere, a child is being told he cannot play because he cannot walk, or another that she
cannot learn because she cannot see. That boy deserves a chance to play. And we all benefit
when that girl, and all children, can read, learn and contribute.
The path forward will be challenging. But children do not accept unnecessary limits. Neither
should we.
Anthony Lake; Executive Director, UNICEF
Download the report: Full report [PDF]
UNICEF The State of
the World's Children 2013.pdf
Accessible formats
Other languages and previous editions
See the child - before the disability, urges new report
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDepkMqy5PQ&feature=player_embedded
Source: UNICEF
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66th World Health Assembly adopts resolution calling for better health care for
people with disabilities
The 66th World Health Assembly adopted yesterday a resolution recalling the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and endorsing the recommendations of the 2011 World report
on disability.
The resolution urges Member States to implement as States Parties the Convention; develop
national action plans; and improve data collection. Member States are encouraged to ensure that
all mainstream health services are inclusive of people with disabilities; provide more support to
informal caregivers; and ensure that people with disabilities have access to services that help
them acquire or restore skills and functional abilities as early as possible.
The resolution also requests the WHO Director-General to provide support to Member States in
implementing the recommendations of the World report on disability; mainstream the health
needs of children and adults with disabilities in WHO's technical work; and ensure that WHO itself
is inclusive of people with disabilities. It also calls on WHO to support the United Nations General
Assembly's High-level Meeting on Disability and Development (23 September 2013) and prepare
a comprehensive WHO action plan with measurable outcomes for next year's World Health
Assembly.
Twenty-seven Member States, some speaking on behalf of regional groupings such as the WHO
African Region and the WHO South-East Asian Region, voiced strong support for the resolution,
proposed by the Government of Ecuador. Seven nongovernmental organizations also expressed
their support of the resolution, including CBM, International Federation of Medical Students'
Associations, International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, International Society of Physical
and Rehabilitation Medicine, Rehabilitation International, World Blind Union, and World
Confederation for Physical Therapy.
Across the world, more often than their non-disabled peers, people with disabilities do not receive
the health care they need and have poorer health. People with disabilities are more than twice as
likely to find healthcare providers' skills and facilities inadequate; nearly three times more likely
to be denied health care; and four times more likely to be treated badly. The resolution, the first
adopted by the World Health Assembly on disability since 2005, seeks to address these
disparities.
Related links:
WHA resolutions
United Nations General Assembly's High-level Meeting on Disability and Development
World report on disability
Better health for people with disabilities: infographic
Source: PDF lists
Blindness Prevention and NCDs at the World Health Assembly
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The 66th World Health Assembly was highly significant for both the blindness prevention and non
communicable disease (NCD) communities, with endorsement of the Action Plans for the
Prevention of Blindness and Vision Impairment, and for the Prevention and Control of NCDs.
These milestones represent the culmination of years of advocacy, and provide important
foundations for mobilising resources and underpinning national efforts. They also highlight scope
for collaboration in efforts to address NCDs, and blindness and vision impairment.
Link: http://www.iapb.org/blog
Source and article by Sam Byfield
Study on the situation of indigenous persons with disabilities
Please find attached a joint press release of the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund and the
International Disability Alliance, on the presentation today, to the United Nations Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), of a report on indigenous persons with disabilities. A side
event was held immediately after the presentation of the report.
Best regards, Ellen Walker - IDA Secretariat
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Indigenous persons with disabilities present study to the UNPFII
New York City, New York, May 22, 2013 – Study on the situation of indigenous persons
with disabilities presented today at the 12th Session of the United Nations Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
On behalf of the newly formed disability caucus, and together with UNPFII member, Mr. Paul
Kanyinke Sena, Ms. Ipul Powesau co-presented a study on the situation of indigenous persons
with disabilities. The 'Study on the situation of indigenous persons with disabilities, with a
particular focus on challenges faced with respect to the full enjoyment of human rights and
inclusion in development' (E/C.19/2013/6), explores how the UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(UNDRIP) provide a framework for the protection of rights of indigenous persons with disabilities.
Requested by the UNPFII at its 11th session in 2012, following the first-ever delegation of
indigenous persons with disabilities at the Forum, the study was drafted by UNPFII members, Ms.
Myrna Cunningham and Mr. Paul Kanyinke Sena, in consultation with indigenous persons with
disabilities and their representative organizations. The study includes recommendations to UN
agencies and other relevant stakeholders on ways to increase the inclusion and participation of
indigenous persons with disabilities and support the establishment and capacity of organizations
of indigenous persons with disabilities. During the presentation of the report, Ms. Powaseu called
on United Nations agencies dealing with indigenous peoples’ issues to take action on the inclusion
of indigenous persons with disabilities in all their activities. She requested them to make their
websites accessible to persons with disabilities and promote increased participation of indigenous
persons with disabilities in their annual sessions.
Immediately following the presentation of the report, a side event on the rights of indigenous
persons with disabilities was held. Indigenous representatives with disabilities provided more
information on the report and highlighted some immediate actions that should be taken to
improve their situation. Panelist Ms. Gayle Rankine described the situation of Aboriginal women
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with disabilities in Australia, who lack of access to shelters for violence, and culturally appropriate
services. Panelist and youth representative Ms. Andrea Harrison of Canada related her
experiences in a segregated educational system, which, for years, denied her full time education.
She called for governments to make sure that persons with intellectual disabilities have access to
inclusive education, all of the same opportunities as their peers, food and housing. Panelist Mr.
Kamala Sen Chakma, from Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, stressed the need for inclusive
development, poverty reduction, and assistive devices. He called for meaningful inclusion of
indigenous persons with disabilities in the post-2015 development agenda and the 2014 World
Conference on indigenous peoples. Panelist Ms. Rita Petrussen, a deaf woman from Greenland,
told participants how she had only had had access to one year of sign language education when
she was fifteen. She called for the re-establishment of education for deaf persons in Greenland,
inclusive ICT and employment for deaf persons. “The report represents a big step forward in
terms of attention to the rights of indigenous persons with disabilities in the Forum,” stated Ms.
Catalina Devandas, representing the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund. “We hope that this
attention will continue to increase and address the barriers preventing indigenous persons with
disabilities from enjoying their equal rights.” The event was organized by the International
Disability Alliance (IDA), the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF), the UN Division for Social
Policy and Development and the Australian mission to the UN. The initiative of DRAF and IDA to
advance the rights of indigenous persons with disabilities is supported with funding from
Australian Aid.
Contacts: Ellen Walker, International Disability Alliance, ewalker@ida-secretariat.org
Catalina Devandas, Disability Rights Advocacy Fund, cdevandas@disabilityrightsfund.org
Source: DRF
Beyond 2015
Beyond 2015 is starting to work on the ‘content’ of a post-2015 framework by putting in place
an open, participatory process to develop a shared, global civil society position on the conceptual
foundations of the framework.
Link: http://www.beyond2015.org/content-discussion
The European Disability Movement Calls for a Social Way Out Of The Crisis
Athens, 26 May 2013 - On 25-26 May 2013, EDF’s Annual General Assembly took place in Athens,
Greece, gathering hundreds of leaders from its member organisations all around Europe. This
year’s meeting focused on the situation of persons with disabilities and the crisis, as well as the
implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) at
National and EU level. It was also marked by the renewal of EDF’s governing bodies and the reelection of Yannis Vardakastanis as EDF President.
Shuaib Chalklen, UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, Klaus Lachwitz representing the
International Disability Alliance (IDA), Nawaf Kabbara, President of the Arab Organization of
Disabled People, Efi Bekou, General Secretary of Welfare - Ministry of Labour, Social Security &
Welfare, and Foteini Zafeiropoulou from the Greek National Confederation of Disabled People,
opened the meeting, which was mostly focused on:
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• The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): developments on its
implementation at European and national level; this session included the presentation of national
cases on the implementation of article 33 on ‘National implementation and monitoring’ and
reporting to the UN Committee. The UN Special rapporteur also presented the work he is doing to
promote the CRPD and the situation in Africa;
• The situation of persons with disabilities in Europe and the crisis, presented by representatives
of EDF’s member organisations in countries which are under revision of the Troika lenders:
Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Portugal and Ireland. This session included the discussion and adoption of
the final report of EDF’s observatory on the impact of the crisis and the EDF position on the Social
Dimension of the European Monetary Union in view of the European summit in June 2013.
Link: bit.ly/13TnVn3
Source: EU Disability Forum via Twitter
Nominations Open for the ESCAP-Sasakawa Award for Disability-Inclusive
Business in Asia-Pacific
UN ESCAP – 21 May 2013
Businesses that recognize the added value of diversity are now eligible for the pioneering ESCAPSasakawa Award for Disability-Inclusive Business in Asia and the Pacific. The Award, developed in
partnership by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP), the Nippon Foundation (TNF), and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability
(APCD), recognizes the leadership of companies that provide enabling working environments,
deliver inclusive products and services, and are innovative in their disability-inclusive approach.
Today, there are 650 million persons living with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific – a market
twice the size of the Eurozone. By catering to the needs of persons with disabilities, enterprises
can expand their market share and tap into a new pool of potential customers, with sizeable
purchasing power. As employees, persons with disabilities also have special expertise and tacit
knowledge to help businesses reach a larger customer base. Disability-inclusive business is thus
neither charity, nor an afterthought, but a core part of a successful business model.
In view of the crucial role of the private sector in promoting disability-inclusive societies, the
ESCAP-Sasakawa Award was developed to:
Publicly recognize and reward businesses that demonstrate good practices in responding to the
needs of persons with disabilities in their business operations;
Raise awareness regarding the opportunities available to the private sector for inclusion of
persons with disabilities in businesses; and
Catalyse Asia-Pacific leadership in disability-inclusive business.
Nominations for the Award are open from 20 May to 19 August 2013. Companies may apply for
the Award under one of three categories:
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1. Disability-inclusive multinational enterprise;
2. Disability-inclusive national enterprise; and
3. Disability-inclusive entrepreneurial business.
All winners will receive ongoing public recognition for their excellence and innovation in the field
of disability-inclusive business. The winner of the entrepreneurial business category will
additionally receive a grant in the range of USD$50,000 to 100,000. The first Award will be
conferred on 3 December 2013 in conjunction with the commemoration of the International Day
of Persons with Disabilities.
For more information, please visit: http://www.di-business-award.com
or contact: Ms. Francyne Harrigan Chief, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP
T: (66) 2 288 1864 / M: (66) 81 835 8677
Source: PDF lists
Call to include people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction plans
GENEVA, 23 MAY 2013 (PACNEWS) --- Inclusive approaches to disaster reduction is one of the
issues coming out strongly from the three day global conference underway in the Swiss city of
Geneva.
Included in this inclusive approach is the need to include vulnerable groups in the planning and
implementation stages of disaster reduction policies.
One of emerging vulnerable groups is people living with disabilities.
Disability has been recognised as an issue that has received far too little attention with the
consequence of increasing exposure of people with disabilities and missing the opportunity to
draw on their unique capacities.
From the Pacific, the Fiji Disability People Forum was represented by Elenoa Kaisau, who shared
the work that is being done in Fiji to ‘reasonably accommodate’ people with disability, especially
at evacuation centres during disasters.
“Our evacuation centres are not safe for people with disabilities. People with disabilities are
accommodated in open rooms with other evacuees. There is no partition and women are not safe
in these environment.
Kaisau shared the experiences of a woman living disability who had difficulties at an evacuation
centre. She raised her concerns of reasonable accommodation. As a result, the national disaster
management office is working on making some changes in evacuation centres to accommodate
people with disabilities.
“I believe that we can contribute to change if we are given an opportunity to make change, said
Kaisau. Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Programme Manager, Katabwena Tawaka said they are
happy with the small progress in Fiji to allow for user-friendly facilities to accommodate people
with disabilities.
“This is a start and we are happy that it is happening because it didn’t exist before, said Tawaka.
PDF is working on a disability inclusive tool kit that can be used by Pacific countries.
Fiji’s Minister for Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu has assured a review of national policies
on disaster risk reduction will include the needs of women, children and people with disabilities.
(PACNEWS)
Source: By PACNEWS Editor, Makereta Komai in Geneva Via PDF Lists
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Pacific CSOs, including Feminist groups, engage with Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat on Conflict, Peace and Security and Wider Gender Equality, Human
Rights, and Sustainable Development
Issues
Pacific CSOs, including Feminist groups, engage
with Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on Conflict,
Peace and Security and Wider Gender Equality,
Human Rights, and Sustainable Development Issues
Representatives from DAWN, DIVA for Equality (Fiji,
LBT), Fiji Women's Rights Movement (Fiji), Fiji
Women's Crisis Centre, Women's and Children' Crisis
Centre (Tonga), Punanga Tauturu (Cook Islands),
Pacific Disabilities Forum, Pacific Youth Council, Femlink Pacific were among civil society
organisation (CSO) representatives from across the Pacific who were part of a 5 day meeting in
Suva Fiji from 6-10 May 2013 to discuss human rights issues centred sustainable development,
good governance, peace, conflict and security in the region.
CSOs networked and built stronger coalitions toward more engaged, substantive and diverse civil
society voice in the region as well as providing concrete input into the Pacific Islands Forum
Regional Security Committee processes and the Pacific Plan review.
The Outcome Statement from the meeting included strong and clear positions on urgent action,
and medium and long term priorities as follows:
CSOs called for immediate action to end all acts of torture and extra-judicial killings of Papua New
Guinea women under the guise of elimination of witchcraft and sorcery.
CSOs also put out an urgent action call to address urgent effects of climate change on small
island states, including ensuring that any climate-change induced migration is based on human
dignity, and commensurate with the inherent human rights of the person.
Also present at the meeting were representatives from PNG Eastern Highlands Women's CSO,
'Voice for Change'. Leentjie Be'Soer of Voice for Change was part of a DAWN-facilitated team to
CSW57 earlier this year, where they carried out international advocacy and lobbying work on the
torture and extra-judicial killing of women and girls in Papua New Guinea under the guise of
eliminating witchcraft and sorcery. Lily Be'Soer of Voice for Change and other PNG women
advocates are also part of the wider GEEJ Pacific, and newly forming Pacific Feminist SRHR
coalition.
DAWN's Noelene Nabulivou (Fiji) said, "Thanks largely to the long and tenacious work of PNG
and Pacific feminist and women's groups, including Voice for Change, Pacific Women's Network
Against Violence Against Women, and the emergent Pacific Feminist SRHR Coalition, we are now
finally seeing a certain degree of raised public awareness on the killings in PNG. But it is nowhere
near enough. Now we have to work even harder to translate increased awareness into concrete
results including specific actions by the PNG state and others, as raised in our Outcome
document."
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"We also call on all development partners and UN agencies to take up strongest voice and
strategic action - with local PNG and Pacific women's groups as guides of this joint work", she
also said.
CSOs at the regional meeting called for the 'overall adoption and integration of a human rightsbased approach in all national and regional development processes, including human rights
mechanisms, and for specific attention to economic empowerment and structural transformations
toward for economic, social and ecological sustainability.
The Outcome statement also called for full and effective participation and inclusion of persons
with disabilities; and there were detailed calls related to gender equality, sexual orientation and
gender identity, an end to sexual and gender based violence, also on wider human rights and
social justice.
CSOs stated that any Pacific development, regional cooperation and security agendas must be
"based on principles of non-regression and recognition of universal human rights, as firmly rooted
in human rights obligations and commitments as agreed by Pacific states from the UN
conferences of the 1990s, and gains made through their follow up processes at national, regional
and global levels. It must proactively address inequalities within and between countries, and also
the double and triple burdens on women and girls, trans*people, MSM, intersex people, people
with disabilities, people living in rural and remote communities, sex workers, and others. Such
discrimination, violence and neglect increases overall societal inequality, poverty and conflict, and
must end now.
Further, CSOs called on 'States as duty-bearers, to prohibit and take action to eliminate harmful
practices, including social and customary practices based on the idea of the inferiority or
superiority of any sex or gender identity; and change attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that
perpetuate and foster discrimination and sexual and gender based violence (SGBV)'. CSOs
stressed that bodily integrity and autonomy, and sexual and reproductive health and rights is at
the core of security, gender equality, human rights and social justice. There were also calls
related to meaningful youth engagement and participation; available, accessible, affordable and
quality education for all Pacific people including comprehensive sexuality education, and specific
input on the deep structural transformation that is required for regional economic, social and
environmental sustainability.
Overall, Pacific Civil society called for 'a Post 2015 Development Agenda that incorporates social
equity, human rights and community wellness, including full gender equality; a new fairer system
of production, consumption and distribution; and a ecological sustainability and reparative plan
recognising planetary boundaries and ecological sustainability.'
This innovative and useful CSO Dialogue was jointly convened by the Secretariat of the Pacific
Community Regional Rights Resources Team (SPC RRRT) in partnership with Pacific Islands
Forum Secretariat (PIFS). The diverse national and regional CSOs in the room were from Cook
Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Republic of
Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The CSOs present work
on areas such as national disaster and relief, disability, health, education, humanitarian
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assistance, climate change, environment, mining and fisheries, economics, law, gender equality,
SRHR, SOGI and sexual rights, young people, good governance, peace and security, and
community media.
Click HERE to view an event article on the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(SPC) website.
Go here for an online copy of the full Regional CSO Outcome Document.
Source: PDF
Pakistani Doctors Earn “Only Gratitude” for Treating Fistula
Sherhshah Syed is a highly qualified doctor and president of the prestigious Pakistan National
Forum on Women’s Health (PNFWH) but his income does not match his qualifications.
He often spends long hours treating women with obstetric fistula, a severe reproductive health
condition arising during childbirth that primarily affects women and girls who have no access to
even the most basic medical care.
But since fistula is considered to be “the poor woman’s” disease, few of his patients can afford to
pay him for his labour.
Link to full article: http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/05/pakistani-doctors-earn-only-gratitude-for-treating-fistula/
Source: IPS
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CONFERENCES and EVENTS
Refer to ADDC website: Calendar of Events for new items
ADDC Calendar Link: http://www.addc.org.au/content/international-calendar
Refer to Global Development International calendar
Link to Global Development Calendar: www.guardian.co.uk/globaldevelopment/interactive/2011/mar/30/global-development-calendar-interactive?CMP=twt_gu
3rd Global Mental Health Summit
21-22 August, Bangkok, Thailand
The Movement for Global Mental Health hosts the one-day Global Mental Health Summits
biennially. They aim to bring together members of the Movement to share experiences and plan
for the future in achieving the MGMH goals.
The first Global Mental Health Summit was held in Athens and the second in Cape Town
(summary reports available below). The third Summit will be held on 21-22 August 2013 in
Bangkok, Thailand, as part of the World Congress of Asian Psychiatry (WCAP). Information about
the Congress can be found at: http://www.wcap2013.com/web/
Link: bit.ly/10u524c
Source: @MGMentalHealth via Twitter
Invitation LCD/UCL Conference: Promoting equity: cross-cutting disability in
international development research
London, June 17th 2013
The Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre is very pleased to invite you to
attend our end of programme conference for the UKAID DFID-funded Cross-Cutting Disability
Research Programme taking place at University College London, UK on Monday 17th June
2013.
The programme explored how to mainstream a disability component into general international
health and development research in a number of selected low- and middle-income countries in
Asia and Africa through partnership with other UK Government-funded research programme
consortia (such as urban agriculture; mental health, stigma and poverty; water and sanitation
and maternal and child health). The findings from the research projects will be presented as well
as discussion of the challenges, opportunities and lessons learned from this unique approach to
mainstreaming disability across other research areas in the field of international development.
There is no fee to attend the conference and lunch, refreshments and evening drinks will be
provided on the day. A full agenda for the conference will be sent to you in due course.
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To register for the day time reception please click on the following link and use the password
ccdrp to access the registration page: http://ccdrp.eventbrite.co.uk
To register for the evening drinks reception please click on the following link and use the
password ccdrp to access the registration page: http://ccdrpreception.eventbrite.co.uk
If you have any queries or comments, then please do not hesitate to contact Eleanor Challenger,
CCDRP Project Coordinator on ccdrp@ucl.ac.uk or Telephone +44 (0) 203 108 3178. Leonard
Cheshire Disability regrets that it is not able to support delegates with funding for travel or
accommodation in London to attend.
We would very much welcome your attendance and contribution at this event and look forward
to continued discussions around the future of disability and development research and
programmes.
Source: Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre
Call for Best Community Inclusion Projects in Europe
The European project New Paths to InclUsion Network has opened a call for best community
inclusion projects in Europe. Our aim is to facilitate an inclusive society for all and to learn what it
takes to build a better community in which all groups can fully participate. The best practices will
be published on the website of Inclusion Europe and in the next journal INCLUDE 1/2013
About the project
The New Paths to InclUsion Network is a European Project – Leonardo da Vinci Thematic Network
– with 20 partner organisations from 14 European countries and Canada. Our goal is an inclusive
community in which all people can participate and support each other. We believe that
professional support should be person centred and embedded in the community.
During the course of the project we will deliver and further develop an inclusive training course in
person centred approaches in different countries. In addition to that we also want to develop a
training course in Community Inclusion and Development as we think that this is one important
key to inclusion. We recognize that there is still a structural barrier between service and
community life and the possibility e.g. for disabled people to step in valued and contributing
social roles within their communities. Workers who have been trained and worked within the
cultural and structural boundaries of the disability service system need to learn how to develop
connections into the community.
What we look for
We are now searching for social innovations and the best community inclusion projects in Europe
to learn what it takes to build up a better community for all and to include formerly marginalized
groups. The examples don’t have to come out necessarily from the disability field. We will
document the best European community inclusion projects on our project website
www.personcentredplanning.eu and the website of Inclusion Europe. We will make three so called
sensing journeys, 2-3 days each, to three selected regions and projects with a group of 8-12
people from all over Europe during the next year to learn more about community inclusion.
Read more: www.e-include.eu/news/1323-call-for-good-community-inclusion-projects-in-europe
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You can nominate best community inclusion projects by filling out the recommendation form
below and send it before 21 June 2013 to Dr. Stefan Doose by post: Steinrader Hauptstr. 16, D23556 Lübeck, fax *49 451 8804744 or e-mail Stefan.doose@bbs-old.de .
Download: More information about the project New Paths to InclUsion Network
Recommendation form
Source: eInclUde
EMPLOYMENT and FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Country Coordinator Haiti’
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti (non-family post)
Contract Duration: 1 year, extension possible
Contract Start: as soon as possible
Objective: Reporting to the Regional Director for Latin America in Quito, Ecuador, the Country
Coordinator is responsible for the overall coordination and leadership of CBM Haiti’s coordination
office (CCO) and programmes, based on CBM’s standards, mandates and policies. He/she ensures
that they are in line with development plans, concepts for the country and the regional strategy.
Haiti CC internal final
May 2013.doc
Source: CBM
RESOURCES
AusAID Focus magazine
This Focus magazine features Disability in Development articles.
Link to online Focus magazine - http://www.ausaid.gov.au/focusonline/Documents/focus-febmay-2013.pdf
AusAID FOCUS
Magazine -feb-may-2013.pdf
Source: AusAID
Disability and Diversity
Community Eye Health Vol. 26 No. 81 2013
This special issue on disability and diversity covers a range of interesting articles relevant to
anybody working in community eye health, or in the health sector generally. It is packed with
content to boost your confidence about how to approach or interact with people with disabilities
Link: http://www.cehjournal.org/
Source: David Lewis, CBM Australia
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Look who is on Facebook!
Look who is on Facebook! www.facebook.com/PacificDisabilityForum?ref=hl
Source: PDF
Launch of State of the World’s Children 2013: Children with Disabilities UNICEF’s
On May 30th UNICEF is launching its flagship publication State of
the World’s Children (SOWC) this year dedicated to Children with
Disabilities. With this report, UNICEF hopes to add a strong voice and
increased visibility to the global, necessary and increasingly urgent
debate about disability rights, especially those of children. State of the World’s Children 2013:
Children with Disabilities focuses on the position of children with disabilities in a varying
worldwide landscape. The publication will be available at www.unicef.org/sowc
The Global launch of the report will take place in Vietnam. The panel discussion named “Society
for All: Overcoming Barriers to Exclusion” will be held in UNICEF House in New York. For more
information see the attached flier.
In May, UNICEF will launch this year’s edition of its flagship publication, State of the World’s
Children. The focus is Children with Disabilities.
With this report, UNICEF hopes to add a strong voice and increased visibility to the global,
necessary and increasingly urgent debate about disability rights, especially those of children.
State of the World’s Children 2013: Children with Disabilities focuses on the position of children
with disabilities in a varying worldwide landscape: how do they fare at home, in school, or at
health care centres? What happens to children with disabilities in emergencies or conflict? How do
these situations fluctuate around the world? The report asks readers to consider the lost
opportunities in denying the full potential of these children.
The State of the World’s Children 2013 argues for inclusive and equitable approaches in such
areas as early childhood development, education, health, nutrition, humanitarian response and
protection. Based on documented experience and examples, the report will recommend ways in
which governments, the private sector, international donors and agencies, and other stakeholders
can help advance this agenda.
The report gives a voice to children to encourage their position as architects and agents of change
in their towns, villages and cities, and to engage a dialogue leading toward equal treatment of all
children, regardless of ability. To this end, in addition to the main narrative and expert technical
panels, the report features perspectives, or personal essays, by policymakers, parents, care
providers, celebrities and role models with disabilities and, most significantly, young people with
disabilities that have accomplished personal or professional goals or are striving to do so. The
hope is that report will foster greater attention on these children’s global needs and remarkable
potential.
With the global launch of The State of the World’s Children 2013: Children with Disabilities in
May, UNICEF wants to encourage global dialogue and concurrent policy and action. Hence,
UNICEF invites all partners and stakeholders to spread the word, develop commentaries, and
arrange events related to it. Working together, we can improve the lives of all children.
Source: UNICEF
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Intellectual Disability- YouTube
http://www.irinnews.org/film/?DoSearch=true&text=disability&id=4376
Source: IRWIN
UNESCO global report: opening new avenues for empowerment:
ICTs to access information and knowledge for persons with disabilities
Building on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this Global
Report addresses strong recommendations to all stakeholders – from decision-makers to
educators, civil society and industry – on how concretely to advance the rights of people living
with disabilities. These recommendations draw on extensive research and consultations. Studies
launched in five regions have allowed UNESCO to understand more clearly the conditions and
challenges faced by persons with disabilities around the world.
To empower persons with disabilities is to empower societies as a whole – but this calls for the
right policies and legislation to make information and knowledge more accessible through
information and communication technologies. It calls also for applying accessibility standards to
the development of content, product and services. The successful application of such technologies
can make classrooms more inclusive, physical environments more accessible, teaching and
learning content and techniques more in tune with learners’ needs.
This UNESCO publication not only makes a major contribution to the understanding of disability,
but also highlights technological advancement and shares good practices that have already
changed the lives of people with disabilities. It also makes concrete recommendations for action
at the local, national and international levels, targeting policy and decision makers, educators,
IT&T industry, civil society and certainly persons with disabilities.
Download English
Source: UNESCO News Online 24th May, 2013
All-Staff Disability Orientation including ASL and subtitles
The web-based Disability Orientation for staff is a multi-media, 40-minute video that includes
interesting and thought provoking statements, resources and good practices from UNICEF and
partners from across the globe.
The objective of the orientation is to strengthen understanding of, and capacity to support,
programming for children and women with disabilities.
The Disability Orientation consists of two main modules, each module has five lessons. The first
part of the Orientation provides an overview of the disability movement and what disability
means according to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The second part of
the Orientation focuses on how to mainstream disability through our work.
The Orientation on Disability can be taken individually or in groups.
The short quiz could be used as a self --assessment tool or as discussion points.
Published on Nov 30, 2012
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcqSarNiacA&feature=player_embedded
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Children with disabilities in Asia Pacific
This photo story illustrates the situation that children in the Asia Pacific region face.
Link: bit.ly/185sifz
Source:
UNICEF
NEWSLETTERS: OTHER ORGANISATIONS
PDF Weekly Update - 24th May 2013
Inclusive approaches were 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 Program 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.
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction; May 19 – 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 – 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 Program Manager Mr Katabwena Tawaka.
Ms Elenoa Kaisau spoke at the side event “Disability Inclusiveness: widening the participation of
Persons with Disabilities in the post 2015 framework in Disaster Risk Reduction” 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:
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.
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.
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
Source: Katabwena Tawaka, Program Manager Pacific Disability Forum, 24 May 2013
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2013 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Side Event on Disability
Inclusiveness
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Geneva, 22 May 2013 – A side event on disability inclusiveness was held today, from 13:00 to
13:55, in the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (21-23 May
2013).
The side event, “Disability inclusiveness: Widening the participation of persons with disabilities in
the post-2015 framework for Disaster Risk Reduction”, co-organised by The Nippon Foundation,
the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation
and Development (BMZ) and the Disability inclusive DRR Network for Asia and Pacific (DiDRRN)
took place today and included the presence of the following speakers: Dr. Jo Matsuzaki, Miyagi
University of Education, Japan; Senator Monthian Buntan, Government of the Kingdom of
Thailand; Ms Elenoa Kaisau, Fiji Disabled Peoples Association , representing DiDRRN, Pacific
Disability Forum and IDA; Ms Marcie Roth, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination,
Federal Emergency Management Agency, United States, and Ms Sae Kani, Malteser International,
as moderator. The purposes of the event were to increase awareness and visibility of disability
inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and to create an opportunity to discuss the collective
approach to the inclusion of the rights of persons with disabilities in the post-2015 framework for
DRR.
In the last years there has been a significant progress in addressing the exclusion of persons with
disabilities from disaster risk reduction plans and policies, as evidenced by the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), the agreed Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for
Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (2012), and the Asian Ministerial Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction (Yogyakarta Declaration) (2012), which recognizes the inclusion of
persons with disabilities within disaster risk reduction planning. However, the reality is that
persons with disabilities remain at high risk with respect to humanitarian crisis situations such as
natural disasters. Bringing the current situation of exclusion to participants’ attention, Dr. Jo
Matsuzaki from the Miyagi University of Education asked participants, "Have you not forgotten
persons with disabilities in your disaster preparedness, disaster relief and restoration plans?"
The Global Platform for Disaster Reduction is a biennial forum whose main goal is to improve
implementation of DRR through better communication and coordination amongst stakeholders.
Participants in the side event launched the message that persons with disabilities can contribute
to the effective implementation of the DRR initiatives by identifying possible solutions based on
their needs and experience. They recommended to include the rights of persons with disabilities
in the revised Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA2), the post-2015 framework for DRR, in
consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations. They called for
establishing a consensus on a collective approach towards inclusion of the rights of persons with
disabilities in the post-2015 development framework.
More Information:
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2013 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Website
Disability inclusiveness: Widening the participation of persons with disabilities in the post-2015
framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Yogyakarta Declaration: Stakeholder Annex on Disability
Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific
Video on Persons with disabilities in the Great East Japan earthquake
(Japan Disability Forum)
Contact: ewalker@ida-secretariat.org,
Source: IDA
CyclePower: Creating change in Fiji and Victoria
This June eighteen Australian cyclists, both able bodied and people with disability, will complete
CyclePower, a demanding 550km ride around Fiji.
CyclePower Fiji aims to support those living with a disability in Fiji, by raising awareness of people
with disability and demonstrating their sporting ability. Chief Executive Officer of Disability Sport
and Recreation, Rob Anderson, said “sport is a wonderful vehicle to provide understanding and
social inclusion.
“We are bringing people with disability into Fiji to send a message to locals that incredible feats
can be achieved, challenging their perception of disability.”
The event also provides a rare sporting opportunity for Australians with disability, and raises
funds for Victorians with disability to participate in sport.
This year sees the event’s biggest contingency of hand cyclists, with seven completing the
grueling 550km on a handcycle in just seven days.
A handcycle is an impressive three-wheeled vehicle, powered by the arms, rather than the legs.
Along their journey, CyclePower participants will donate sporting equipment such as basketballs
and footballs to various Special Development Schools and disability organisations.
CyclePower is in its third year of action, with previous rides held in Vietnam in 2011 and
Cambodia in 2012.
CyclePower participants with disability range from 20 to 66 years of age, showcasing a range of
disabilities and life challenges.
Disability Sport and Recreation (DSR) is an Australian charity with many initiatives supporting
people with a disability in Victoria. For over 50 years, DSR has worked to ensure people with a
disability have equal opportunities to participate in activities of their choice, leading to both
physical and mental health benefits.
For more information please contact:
Alex Dandanis: + 61 3 9473 0133, alexandra@dsr.org.au.
Source: Media Release - Disability Sports and Recreation, May 23, 2013
Five students from the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons have been
offered Government scholarships
The announcement by the council on Thursday follows Government initiatives to provide
scholarship for disadvantaged students.
This was announced in January by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
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These students will be enrolled in computer studies under the New Zealand Pacific Training Centre
(NZPTC).
Students who had enrolled are Epeli Ruivadra – visual impairment, Kavinesh Maharaj – low
vision\slow learner, Rahul Ravinesh Shankar – slow learner, Roveen Shankar – visual impairment,
and Vilisi Mati – physical disability
“The council was grateful for the open door policy in terms of education for the special children of
Fiji,” council director, Dr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa said.
The centre provides skills-based training for young adults.
Source: Paulini Ratulailai - Fiji Sun Newspaper Online; 4th May, 2013
ADDC is an Australian, international network focusing attention, expertise and action on disability
issues in developing countries; building on a human rights platform for disability advocacy.
To join ADDC please complete and return pages 3 & 4 of the membership package, to submit
information or find our more contact:
ADDC Executive Officer
Christine Walton
T 1800 678 069
cwalton@cbm.org.au
www.addc.org.au
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