CBR has evolved a lot since its inception about three decades ago and in 2004, WHO, ILO and UNESCO published the Joint Position Paper on CBR to refocus CBR as a multi-sectoral strategy for rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities, poverty reduction and social inclusion for persons with disabilities and their families. WHO, ILO and UNESCO, in partnership with leading international NGOs including DPOs, are developing CBR guidelines to operationalize the Joint Position Paper on CBR.
In Asia and the Pacific, the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003 – 2012), promoted by UNESCAP, has given an impetus for Governments and NGOs to create an inclusive, barrier free and rights-based society. A regional policy guideline, the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF) and its supplement, the BMF plus Five, promoted a paradigm shift from a charity to a rights-based approach to disability.
Globally, the CRPD came into force and we are at the beginning of the new era, in which the entire UN system and ratified countries are obligated to ensure the realization of rights of persons with disabilities.
Against this background, the First Asia-Pacific CBR Congress is being organized in Bangkok, Thailand, as a joint initiative of the UN agencies, Governments and civil society. The major theme of the Congress will be “Community-based Inclusive Development: people with disabilities and their families” with several sub-themes such as “CBR as grass-root strategy to promote Inclusive development” and “Stakeholders' roles for promotion of CBR and inclusive development”. Leading experts from across the world would be available for sharing their experiences and assisting one another. Persons with disabilities, their families and organizations are specially encouraged to participate in the congress to share their wealth of experiences.
Official language of the congress will be English. Efforts will be made for the simultaneous translation in Thai and International Sign language Congress proceedings will be available in accessible format as much as possible.
Objectives:
- Bring key stakeholders together to share resources and to be updated
- Develop an alliance and resource base for the Asia-Pacific region among UN, Governments (GO), NGOs, DPOs and others.
- Promote CBR as an effective multi-sectoral strategy to reduce poverty, ensure rights and enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities and their families
- Promote the importance of the implementation of the CRPD, the BMF and BMF plus Five.
- Promote community-based inclusive development for people with disabilities and their families.
- Introduction of CBR Guidelines; a joint publication of WHO, ILO and UNESCO in partnership with civil society.
- Promote research and evidence - based practice related to CBR
Expected outcomes:
- Forming CBR Asia-Pacific Network which will be ultimately part of CBR Global Network
- Developing multi-sectoral partnership and establishing Multi-sectoral CBR Strategy to operationalize the provisions of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Linking up CBR with BMF Millennium Development Goal (MDG), Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), and other mainstream development initiatives.
- Active participation of persons with disabilities and their families/organizations in CBR.
- Member states to initiate/support/strengthen CBR within the country.
- Future Plan of Actions on identified needs including research and good practices.
Target groups:
- CBR implementers .
- Persons with disabilities, their families/organizations.
- Representatives from local and international NGOs, UN organizations, agencies, government organizations, donor agencies, bilateral or multilateral aid agencies, academia, parents group etc.
- Personnel from various government departments especially from health, education, livelihoods, rural development, labor and social welfare from all over the two continents
- Media and others .