• Skip the side menu list
• Newsletter
  • 2002 (volume 1)
  • 2003 (volume 2 - 5)
  • 6th Newsletter
    • Seminar for South-to- South Cooperation
    • APCD Missions
    • Asia & Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) Inaugural Meeting & Conference
    • International Conferences
    • 6th International Abilympics, India 2003
    • APCD Project Activities
    • International Day of Disabled Person 2003
    • Assistive Technology
    • Regional News
    • Editorial Message
  • 7th Newsletter
  • 8th Newsletter
  • 9th Newsletter
  • 2005 (volume 10 - 13)
  • 2006 (volume 14 - 17)
  • 2007 (volume 18 - 21)
  • 2008 (volume 22 - 25)
• Pamphlet
• Video

Asia & Pacific Disability Forum (APDF)
Inaugural Meeting & Conference 2003

"Disability in the New Millennium"
YMCA Fort Canning Lodge
26-28 November 2003

APCD had the opportunity to join the APDF Inaugural Meeting & Conference. APDF followed the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981, the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons in 1983-1992, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) at its 48th session in Beijing, 1992, where the period 1993-2002 was declared as the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.

From 1993-2002, the Regional NGO Network (RNN) was responsible for organizing Annual Campaigns to raise awareness of, and to mobilize support for the Decade goals.

The Osaka Forum, held in October 2002, signaled the end of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002) and the dissolution of RNN. The idea of forming a new regional NGO network on disability was mooted and welcomed by various sectors to strengthen regional initiatives and momentum to meet the rising expectations and demands of the New Millennium. Thus, the formation of the new network became the "Asia and Pacific Disability Forum".

The objectives of the APDF are as follow:

1. To support the UNESCAP resolution 58/4 on "Promoting an Inclusive, Barrier-free, and Rights-based Society for People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region in the 21st Century".
2. To promote the 2nd Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, through the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
3. To empower persons with disabilities in the Asia and Pacific Region.
4. To provide, exchange and disseminate information on disability-related matters to member organizations.
5. To promote and encourage research and development on disability-related issues.
6. To promote and advocate for technical and other assistance for persons with disabilities.
7. To develop collaborative partnerships and work closely with related international, regional, and inter-regional organizations/forums/working groups.
8. To undertake such other tasks in relation to persons with disabilities in the Asia and Pacific Region as shall be determined by APDF at its General Assembly.

The Singapore Declaration was drafted as the resolutions of the APDF Inaugural Meeting and Conference, 2003. Participants adopted the new approach of empowering individuals with disabilities to promote self-help organizations, ensure the paradigm shift from a charity-based approach to a rights-based approach, as well as promote protection of the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities.

APDF initiated collaborative efforts with the United Nations and its agencies, governments, NGOs, and other relevant agencies in the region to promote progress towards the Comprehensive International Convention on the Promotion and Protection of Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities; to generate public awareness, and advocate issues concerning individuals with disabilities. APDF seeks the assistance and collaboration of Governments in the region to extend support to self-help organizations for their participation in the implementation of the BMF and in meeting the objectives of the APDF.

APDF calls on Governments in the region to provide the BMF and objectives of APDF in accessible format for all individuals with disabilities, establish a consultative approach through partnership among Governments and NGOs of and for individuals with disabilities, level the playing field for individuals with disabilities through the appropriate use of early intervention program for infants and children and assistive technology in striving towards an inclusive education and employment, integrate individuals with disabilities into the community by ensuring that their fundamental concerns of accessibility, education, and employment are adequately addressed, and bridge the divide between individuals with disabilities and mainstream individuals as the 21st century will bring greater challenges for both Governments and NGOs.

APDF"s goals and targets follow the 7 priority policy areas of the BMF. Relevant to APCD, one of APDF"s objectives is to develop collaborative partnerships and close working relationships with the UNESCAP, the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWGDC), UN Agencies, APCD and other regional and inter-regional forums. APCD will collaborate closely with related organizations to build networks towards the empowerment of PWD in the region.