International & Regional Conferences
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60th Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
22-28 April 2004
Shanghai, China
Dr. Kim Hak-Su and the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe
The 60 th Session devoted significant attention to population and related social issues addressing poverty reduction, managing globalization and social issues including disability issues. Dr. Kim Hak-Su, UN ESCAP's Executive Secretary stated at the opening session that"In the Asia- Pacific region, the economic integration process has been mainly driven by market forces. This has accelerated the integration of the region into the global economy but many countries are unable to reach their potential. The Asia- Pacific now stands as a global economic powerhouse but as a newly emerging brain centre of the world economy."
The Shanghai Declaration adopted at the last session emphasizes UN ESCAP's unique role as the most representative body for the Asian and Pacific region and its mandate as the main general economic and social development centre within the United Nations System. The China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe presented a very special art performance during the 60 th UN ESCAP Commission Session in Shanghai, China as a side event in Emerging Social Issues.
Roundtable conference of the 60th UN ESCAP Session
The China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe was established in 1987 to explore the development of special art by persons with disabilities. The talented artists who have visual or hearing impairments, mental or physical disabilities, pursue the perfection of art, turning &disability and need" into"possibility and outstanding talent". They danced beautifully with rhythm, performing charming melodies, conducting orchestras gracefully, singing in their hearts, and presented the world an unusual performance with perfection. The Troupe has toured more than 30 countries and given performances at many prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York.
The marvelous show was composed of traditional and modern performances by deaf dancers, a piano solo by a blind pianist and selected Chinese and Western folk music orchestra pieces by deaf, blind and physically disabled artists. It was a very special performance by a unique group of highly talented Chinese artists. Their achievements inspired the audience in their shared aspiration for creating an inclusive society for all people with different abilities.
The sixty-first session of the Commission is tentatively scheduled to be held at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand from 21 to 27 April 2005.
(Refer to http://www.unescap.org) -
First Workshop for Improving Disability Statistics and Measurement
24-28 May 2004
UNCC, Bangkok, ThailandThe Workshop aimed at familiarizing participants with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)and other international standards and principles as well as initiating a design of National collection tools, implementation policies, and training materials. The workshop consisted of 42 participants from 18 countries including the World Health Organization (WHO). It emphasized improving disability statistics in many countries of the Asia-Pacific region by providing training in disability standards and measurement. The contents follow the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action recommendation that governments in the region should develop their system of disability-related data collection and adopt international standards for disability measurement. From this, two sources were introduced: the United Nations Guidelines and Principles for the Development of Disability Statistics and the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)to collect disability data. The Workshop announced the"Recommendations of the Workshop on Improving Disability Data for Policy Use".
(Visit http://www.unescap.org/stat for more details.) -
Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
24 May - 4 June 2004
UN Headquarters, New York CityThe Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities held its third session at the United Nations Headquarters from 24 May to 4 June 2004. This session was opened by the Chairman of the Committee, Luis Gallegos Chiriboga, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations on 24 Monday 2004 with over 40 government representatives, including United Nations System Organizations, 1 non-member state, National Human Rights Institutions, Intergovernmental Organizations, and other related organizations.
This Committee worked on the draft elaborated by its Ad Hoc Working Group from 5-16 January 2004. The proposed draft convention addresses the concerns of disabled persons on issues such as non-discrimination and equal recognition before the law, personal mobility and accessibility, the right to work, and the promotion of positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities. A unique feature of the Convention is that the process is open, consultative and accessible to persons with disabilities and their organizations, as they work together as partners with government experts at the United Nations. Current instruments that address the rights of disabled persons are legally non-binding. This treaty would create a legally binding framework for protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and move beyond the traditional concept of access to the physical environment to include broader issues, including equal access to education, employment, health, and political participation. Governments that ratify the treaty would be legally bound to treat disabled persons as subjects of law with enforceable rights. The drafting of such a treaty was proposed by Mexico to the General Assembly in 2001, in the face of growing international recognition of disability rights as human rights.
The next session of the Committee will be held in New
York from 23 August to 3 September 2004.
(Refer to http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/) -
First Session of the APDF Executive Committee: Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free, and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities
14 June 2004
United Nations Conference Center (UNCC), Bangkok, ThailandThe Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF)was launched at the time of the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF)in October 2002 to promote and evaluate the progress of the attainment of the BMF goals. APDF announced the Singapore Declaration at its General Assembly in November, 2003, while an Executive Committee was elected for a two-year term.
The first session of the APDF Executive Committee was held on 14 June 2004 in Bangkok with 32 participants consisting of the working committee members and representatives of various related organizations. Self-help organizations and non-governmental organizations including other disability-related organizations in the Asia-Pacific region were encouraged to enroll with APDF. APCD was pleased to join and exchange information with APDF on disability-related implementations towards the BMF.
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United Nations Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Disability-Related Concerns (TWGDC)
Eighth Session
15-16 June 2004
UNCC, Bangkok, ThailandThe 8 th TWGDC Session consisted of 7 Working Committees:Information and Communication Technology, Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Women with Disabilities, Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, East Timor and Afghanistan, and the Proposed International Convention on Persons with Disabilities. Participants came from 8 countries, representing United Nations Agencies, Specialized Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other related entities. Each working group reported on their working progress since the 7 th TWGDC Session and presented their future working plans. All Working Committees made significant progress in implementing the 7 priorities of the BMF.
(Refer to http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/thematic/)
Donation to APCD Foundation
Donation to APCD Foundation On 24 May 2004, a representative of the Thai Student Association (TSA) University of Michigan (UM)visited APCD to donate US$250 to the APCD Foundation. The TSA-UM and Eastern Michigan University (EMU)organized Thai Night 2004:Discover Siam on 27 March 2004 to promote the culture of Thailand. APCD Foundation graciously accepts their donation and expresses sincere appreciation to the TSA of both UM and EMU.
