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Nagase Osamu

1. Background

During his term as President of Inclusion International 1998-2002, Don Wills set about encouraging the creation of Regions of Inclusion International across the world. Europe and Inter Americana were already in place and today Inclusion has regions in Europe, Inter-Americana, Middle East –North Africa, Africa Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific. At the General Assembly of Inclusion International in Melbourne Australia in 2002 the constitution was changed to recognize these regions and each Region was encouraged to develop programs and structures to suit their area.

In his role as Regional Coordinator for Inclusion International in the Asia Pacific Region, JB negotiated, lobbied and worked with UN agencies including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and governments and kindred agencies as an advocate for the improvement of lives for people with disabilities. Specific to this was the work toward the recognition and adoption of the Biwako Framework, an agreed document for the Asia Pacific Region under United Nations endorsement for the benefit and strengthening of the disability movement. Work is continuing by way of legislative reviews to identify discrimination and assist countries in the development of human rights legislation for people with disabilities.

A 3 year contract (2001-2004) in Indonesia with NZAID VASS programme and a 3 year contract with NZAID Regional Health Programme for "Disability in the Pacific" is assisting countries through targeted surveys to identify individuals with disability and list their unmet needs for action.

In Indonesia and the Philippines as well as India, PMAG – Parent Mobilization Action Group – programs have been established. Inclusion International Asia Pacific Region is most grateful for the energy, commitment and dedication of Mr Jan Vorstman from the Netherlands who unselfishly donates his time to provide on going leadership to the PMAG programmes.

Summary of activities presented at the 2004 General Assembly in Burkina Faso

2. Asia Pacific Disability Forum

With the support of the United Nations ESCAP – Economic and Social Commission of the Asia Pacific Region and the decision of most governments in the region 10 2002 to support the Biwako Millennium Framework which included making progress to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and cooperate with NGOs, the Asia Pacific Disability Forum was formed in Singapore in November 2003. 300 attended the forum, which agreed on a constitution and elected an Executive of 11 people drawn from various nations and agencies. Inclusion’s Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator was elected one of two Vice Chairmen. Judy Wee from Singapore is the Chairperson and Ryo Matsui from Japan is the Secretary. A Teleconference meeting of the Executive plus a face to face meeting in Bangkok in June 2004 has endeavoured to work through a monitoring approach to Governments. A meeting of Government delegates and the APDF is planned for October 13 – 15 at UN Headquarters in Bangkok.

3. PMAG Philippines

In November 2002 on behalf of Inclusion International the I I Regional Coordinator was present at the launch of PMAG in Davao City Mindanao, Philippines. Initial funding was secured from CBM International and the Zuellig Foundation. At a meeting in November 2003 to celebrate the first birthday, it was thrilling to meet up with parents and their elected office bearers of PMAG from 5 cities across Mindanao representing several hundred parents who are determined to advocate more strongly for their children with disability, not only to get to school or to have a job but for the families to have access to support in the home for their very disabled family member. There is real potential for parents of children with disability to link with parents in other countries such as the Philippines who could benefit significantly from the experiences of parents who already been involved in building and developing parent based associations as well as Self Help organizations.

4. PMAG Indonesia

The partnership the East Kalimantan continues. 7 regencies in the Region have formed Parent Empowerment groups’ known as POPA and have agreed to co-ordinate their efforts through a representative Board. The current contract with NZAID with IHC for the work in Indonesia expired on June 30 and an Evaluation of the programme was carried out in April with the funders (NZAID) accepting the report and the activities as satisfactory. A new contract is currently being considered.

5.Disability in the Pacific

Vanuatu - A three week survey on Tanna Island in November by two volunteers employed by the Wellington Central and Coastal District Health Board resulted in Inclusion International Asia Pacific Region being contracted, with funding from the European Union, by the Vanuatu Society of Disabled Persons to undertake training of interested individuals to be “surveyors” in other parts of Vanuatu in order to identify those with disabilities and their unmet needs. This was undertaken earlier this year. A progress report is available.

Kiribati - Following the initial pilot survey in one part of Kiribati the local people have now appointed a Survey Co-ordinator to direct operations for a full survey involving a significant number of volunteers. The outcome of the survey will further assist the planning for greater support to those with disability. The parents of those attending school are commenting favourably on the changes apparent in the classrooms of the 3 teachers who returned from NZ late last year having had a quick orientation and training 3 weeks in Christchurch. With funding from NZAID Inclusion International is paying the salary of the Survey Coordinator for the initial 6 months. Further training of volunteers is currently being undertaken with the survey
costs being covered by grants from several countries including NZ, Canada and Australia. Full details reports are available

Tuvalu - The two NZ teachers who are working in Samoa completed their scooping exercise in Tuvalu late last year in preparation for a full countrywide survey in Tuvaluin the near future..

Tonga - A report on the Scoping Exercise undertaken by Donna Lene, the Inclusion International In Country representative in Samoa late last year has identified a number of strategies needed in the Kingdom to enable children and adults with disabilities to have better opportunities to be part of their community.

There appears to be genuine goodwill and support for a survey to be undertaken in order for officialdom to have a better appreciation of the need for individuals with disability and their family who seem so often to have been ignored. Subject to funding the survey is expected to commence before the end of 2004.

Samoa - The identification survey in Samoa has been completed and work is now progressing in responding to the unmet needs through widening the number of agencies who have never before considered disability to be part of their responsibility. The Prime Minister has now set up a desk on Disability Issues within his office, a People First group has been established. A recently established Early Intervention Unit is growing rapidly. The new organization Nuanua 0 le Alofa has consolidated very well and along with the Prime Minister the Inclusion International Regional Coordinator opened the new premises earlier this year.

Solomon Islands - This troubled country has requested Inclusion International to assist in setting up a Disability Survey Project Advisory Committee and provide training for volunteers and “surveyors”. This has now started and is expected to be fully functioning later this year.