Pacific Disability Forum DSABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PACIFIC “A partnership of Pacific Organizations of and for People with Disabilities”

Persons with disabilities in Pacific island countries are among the poorest and most marginalised members of their communities. Persons with disabilities in Pacific island countries are among the poorest and most marginalised members of their communities. The struggling economies of PICs inhibit government attention to the presence, needs and concerns of Persons with Disabilities - minority group and needs are outweighed by national priority and agenda. The struggling economies of PICs inhibit government attention to the presence, needs and concerns of Persons with Disabilities - minority group and needs are outweighed by national priority and agenda. Establishment of Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs) increased world-wide since United Nations proclaimed IYDP in 1981 – Theme “Full participation and equal opportunities for Persons With Disabilities” Establishment of Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs) increased world-wide since United Nations proclaimed IYDP in 1981 – Theme “Full participation and equal opportunities for Persons With Disabilities” B ACKGROUND

Background cont’d UNESCAP spearheading regional efforts over two consecutive regional disability decades to forge a paradigm shift from a welfare to a human rights-based approach to disability. UNESCAP spearheading regional efforts over two consecutive regional disability decades to forge a paradigm shift from a welfare to a human rights-based approach to disability. The first Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons started in 1993 and concluded in The first Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons started in 1993 and concluded in The second Decade runs from 2003 to The Biwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF) towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific and its supplement, the Biwako Plus Five, are the Decade’s policy guidelines on disability to facilitate national policy formulation and implementation on disability. The second Decade runs from 2003 to The Biwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF) towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific and its supplement, the Biwako Plus Five, are the Decade’s policy guidelines on disability to facilitate national policy formulation and implementation on disability.

Background con’t Positive Development emerged in the Pacific in the 1990s due to UNESCAP Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993 – 2002 Positive Development emerged in the Pacific in the 1990s due to UNESCAP Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993 – 2002 Goals – “Promotion of the Full Participation and Equality of people with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific Region.” Goals – “Promotion of the Full Participation and Equality of people with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific Region.”

Background cont’d Assessment of achievements made by PICs during the first Decade showed that PICs lagged behind in the implementation of the Decade’s Agenda for Action. Assessment of achievements made by PICs during the first Decade showed that PICs lagged behind in the implementation of the Decade’s Agenda for Action. Lack of progress due to lack of information; distance and cost of travel; poorly performing economies; lack of commitment by governments; lack of engagement with NGOs and DPOs ; and the overall lack of voice of persons with disabilities. Lack of progress due to lack of information; distance and cost of travel; poorly performing economies; lack of commitment by governments; lack of engagement with NGOs and DPOs ; and the overall lack of voice of persons with disabilities.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Purpose of Convention (Article 1) To promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity

What is unique about the Convention? Both a development and Human Rights instrument Both a development and Human Rights instrument A policy instrument which is cross- disability and cross-sectoral A policy instrument which is cross- disability and cross-sectoral Legally binding Legally binding

A Paradigm Shift The Convention marks a ‘paradigm shift’ in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities. The Convention marks a ‘paradigm shift’ in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are not viewed as "objects" of charity, medical treatment and social protection; rather as "subjects" with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society. Persons with disabilities are not viewed as "objects" of charity, medical treatment and social protection; rather as "subjects" with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society. The Convention gives universal recognition to the dignity of persons with disabilities. The Convention gives universal recognition to the dignity of persons with disabilities.

2. Disability & Pacific Island Governments Disability was not on the Forum agenda until 2002 when the Honourable Prime Minister of Vanuatu raised the issue at the 2002 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Prompted by the recommendations adopted by the UNESCAP 7 Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries Meeting in Bangkok in May Disability included in PIF Leaders Communique in 2003 and Pacific Plan. Pacific offices of UN agencies also address disability issues in the region.

cont’d 2008: Regional Meeting of Government Focal Points on Disability 2008: Regional Meeting of Government Focal Points on Disability 2009: Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting, Cairns, Australia – Disability included in Forum Communiqué 2009: Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting, Cairns, Australia – Disability included in Forum Communiqué 2009: Pacific Islands Forum Disability Ministers Meeting, Cook Islands, October, : Pacific Islands Forum Disability Ministers Meeting, Cook Islands, October, : Pacific Island Forum Leaders endorsed the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability, : Pacific Island Forum Leaders endorsed the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability,

3. Disability Movement and Service Provision in the Pacific The primary catalysts for developing responses to disability issues in PICs in the last four decades have been local, national and international NGOs. The primary catalysts for developing responses to disability issues in PICs in the last four decades have been local, national and international NGOs. Governments like Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom provided financial assistance to support the efforts of these NGOs which mainly target the education and rehabilitation needs of children and adults with disabilities in the Pacific. Governments like Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom provided financial assistance to support the efforts of these NGOs which mainly target the education and rehabilitation needs of children and adults with disabilities in the Pacific. e.g the Red Cross Centres in Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Tonga; the Able Disable Centre in Nauru; the parents’ support group in Kiribati; Vanuatu Society for Disabled People; Prevention, Rehabilitation and Education of Blind Persons and Loto Taumafai of Samoa, service providers in Fiji and Papua New Guinea. e.g the Red Cross Centres in Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Tonga; the Able Disable Centre in Nauru; the parents’ support group in Kiribati; Vanuatu Society for Disabled People; Prevention, Rehabilitation and Education of Blind Persons and Loto Taumafai of Samoa, service providers in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Cont’d Single and cross-disability NGOs were established in PICs, focused on service delivery and managed by able- bodied persons. Persons with disabilities were cared for, spoon-fed, protected and segregated. Regarded as recipients of goodwill, unable to make their own choices or determine their own destiny. Strong extended family system encouraged family members to look after their less fortunate relatives. Association of a disabling condition with ancestral curse, parental misdeeds, witchcraft, shame and fear kept persons with disabilities isolated, neglected, dependent and poor.

Cont’d The international disability rights movement caught the attention of leaders of DPOs in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Solomon Islands in the 1990s. The international disability rights movement caught the attention of leaders of DPOs in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Solomon Islands in the 1990s. Their efforts gained momentum as other Pacific Island countries established their own national DPOs to be the voice and representative of persons with disabilities living in their countries. Their efforts gained momentum as other Pacific Island countries established their own national DPOs to be the voice and representative of persons with disabilities living in their countries. The disability rights movement is about persons with disabilities controlling their own lives with the support they need, and uphold the value that disability must not be looked at in parts but in totality. The disability rights movement is about persons with disabilities controlling their own lives with the support they need, and uphold the value that disability must not be looked at in parts but in totality.

Cont’d In March 2000, several DPOs in PICs which are members of Disabled People International (DPI) established a sub-regional office in Fiji to strengthen their self-help initiatives at the national level through leadership training and information sharing. In March 2000, several DPOs in PICs which are members of Disabled People International (DPI) established a sub-regional office in Fiji to strengthen their self-help initiatives at the national level through leadership training and information sharing. National DPOs were established in Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu between 2000 and National DPOs were established in Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu between 2000 and Inclusion International Asia/Pacific Region established Pacific Disability Development Network in 2001 with organisations of and for people with disabilities. Inclusion International Asia/Pacific Region established Pacific Disability Development Network in 2001 with organisations of and for people with disabilities. Disability surveys were conducted in Cook Islands, Samoa and Kiribati. Disability surveys were conducted in Cook Islands, Samoa and Kiribati. About 5% were children and adults with profound, severe or moderate disabilities. About 5% were children and adults with profound, severe or moderate disabilities.

4. The Birth of PDF National DPOs and disability service providers in PICs met in Fiji in December 2002 to discuss a Pacific-based regional organisation on disability. This meeting saw the birth of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF). NZAID) reviewed its funding support to disability programme in the Pacific region in NZAID Pacific Regional Health Programme received clear, strategic direction for assistance in the area of disability development in the Pacific region for the next five years. PDF well placed as a partner to NZAID and secured funding agreement until June 2011.

Establishment of PDF PDF Council and Executive Committee elected in 2004 inaugural meeting – Constitution and Plan adopted PDF Council and Executive Committee elected in 2004 inaugural meeting – Constitution and Plan adopted NZAID Funding for PDF 2006 – 2011 NZAID Funding for PDF 2006 – 2011 Staff appointed and Secretariat established in 2007 Staff appointed and Secretariat established in 2007 PDF General Forum and Pacific Regional Conference on Disability held every 2 years – 2013 in New Caledonia PDF General Forum and Pacific Regional Conference on Disability held every 2 years – 2013 in New Caledonia

Vision An inclusive Pacific society that is responsive, culture sensitive, gender equitable and ensures the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities An inclusive Pacific society that is responsive, culture sensitive, gender equitable and ensures the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities

Mission To improve the situations of persons with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries & Territories by developing and strengthening the capacity of member disabled persons organisations (DPOs) through advocacy and collaboration with relevant stakeholders. To improve the situations of persons with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries & Territories by developing and strengthening the capacity of member disabled persons organisations (DPOs) through advocacy and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

KRA 1 - Support PDF members to become stronger organisations. Advocate for and advance the rights of persons with disabilities in the Pacific Advocate for and advance the rights of persons with disabilities in the Pacific Strengthen the capacity of NDPOs in PICs to be self reliant and sustainable by 2016: Strengthen the capacity of NDPOs in PICs to be self reliant and sustainable by 2016: Ensuring NDPOs have good and capable leaders Ensuring NDPOs have good and capable leaders Enhance gender equality& Youth Participation Enhance gender equality& Youth Participation Ensure access to relevant and timely information on issues and concerns to DPOs in the Pacific. Ensure access to relevant and timely information on issues and concerns to DPOs in the Pacific. Increase the membership of the PDF Increase the membership of the PDF

KRA 2 - Establish stronger relationships with Development Partners, Donor Agencies and National Governments. Establish & support partnership between NDPOs& development partners, donor agencies and national governments Establish & support partnership between NDPOs& development partners, donor agencies and national governments Strengthen existing and develop new partnerships with relevant development partners, donor agencies and national governments. Strengthen existing and develop new partnerships with relevant development partners, donor agencies and national governments.

KRA 3 - Influence Policies and Emerging Issues to be disability inclusive. PDF is responsive to emerging issues PDF is responsive to emerging issues Promote disability inclusive development in the Pacific through CRPD, MDGs, PRSD Promote disability inclusive development in the Pacific through CRPD, MDGs, PRSD

KRA 4 - Reviewing and Strengthen Governance and Operations of the PDF. KRA 4 - Reviewing and Strengthen Governance and Operations of the PDF. Ensure the effective governance of PDF Ensure the effective governance of PDF Ensure an effective management and operations of the PDF Ensure an effective management and operations of the PDF To develop a responsive Regional organisation To develop a responsive Regional organisation Ensure effective monitoring and Evaluation of PDF activities Ensure effective monitoring and Evaluation of PDF activities Ensure financial sustainability for the PDF Ensure financial sustainability for the PDF

Organisational and Management Structures Membership of the Pacific Disability Forum (General Forum) Membership of the Pacific Disability Forum (General Forum) PDF Board 9 Members (including 2 Co-chairs male/female) PDF Board 9 Members (including 2 Co-chairs male/female) Committee Womens Youth Pacific DPO Fund Committee Womens Youth Pacific DPO Fund CEO Programme Manager Finance & Office Manager Administrative Officer Office Assistant Information Officer DPO Development Officer Gender & Youth Officer

MEMBERSHIP PDF Membership – 38 organisations in 15 countries and territory (Australia, Cook Is, FSM, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Is, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) PDF Membership – 38 organisations in 15 countries and territory (Australia, Cook Is, FSM, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Is, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) 26 Full Members - DPOs 26 Full Members - DPOs 19 Associate Members with 7 Individuals, 12 Organisations 19 Associate Members with 7 Individuals, 12 Organisations

Thank You! Pacific Disability Forum 24 Des Voeux Road G.P.O Suva, Fiji. Tel : Fax : E- mail :