SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
Expected Results
An estimated 80 participants from the Asia and Pacific region, of which an estimated
30-35 participants will be supported from resources of the current project, and exclusive
of host country participants, will exchange views, knowledge and experiences, develop new
skills and gain improved understanding of norms and standards related to disability, of
the context and structure of the proposed comprehensive and integrated convention on
promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, and of rights based
approaches to development. The exchanges will contribute to dialogue and the establishment
of networks to promote the sharing of knowledge and experience on development-based
approaches to the advancement of persons with disabilities in the Asia and Pacific region
and contribute to improved cooperation in capacity building for rights-based approaches to
development.
On the basis of the substantive exchanges and group work, meeting participants will
formulate (a) a strategic planning framework to guide further action on elaboration of a
seventh international instrument related to the rights of persons with disability, and (b)
a strategic plan for preparation of training and resource materials and for building
national capacities and institutions for rights based approached to development
appropriate to the Asia and Pacific region.
Meeting participants will gain new insights and understanding of both the barriers and
enabling factors to full and effective participation of persons with disability in social
life and development. Meeting findings and recommendations will enable participants better
to present the case for and make contributions to the questions of context and content of
national policy options and the proposed seventh international instrument on the rights of
persons with disabilities.
Meeting preparations, proceedings and results will be published in accessible formats
making appropriate use of Internet-enabled technologies, which is expected to contribute
to a dialogue and creation of networks for exchanges of knowledge and experience in the
field of disability in the Asia and Pacific region.
Meeting goal
The EGM seeks to contribute to the promotion of awareness and support for a seventh
international human rights instrument that would address the promotion and protection of
the rights of persons with disabilities and would further thereby equalization of
opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The goal of this EGM relates to General Assembly resolutions 56/168 and 57/229 and the
consideration of context, structure and elements of a comprehensive and integral
international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with
disabilities. The goal statement also draws upon national experience in implementing
Assembly resolution 52/82, on priorities for action in the equalization of opportunities
for persons with disabilities, and subsequent resolutions of the Assembly on the question
[1] and takes into account findings and recommendations of
"monitoring reports" submitted by the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the
Commission for Social Development as these concern implementing the Standard Rules and
elaborating a new international convention on the rights of persons with disability. [2]
Project immediate objectives
(a) Knowledge and experience on norms and standards related to disability in the
context of development promoted and key issues and trends in the Asia and Pacific region
exchanged and key issues and trends identified and assessed. The project will provide a
forum for exchanges of knowledge and experience among governmental officials, academics as
well as representatives of the non-governmental community and the private sector on issues
and trends in international norms and standards related to disability, rights based
approaches to development and capacity building for the advancement of persons with
disabilities in the mainstream.
(b) Priorities for strategic planning and for national capacity building in the Asia
and Pacific region identified. The intensive exchanges and group work are expected to
result in identification of (1) a strategic planning framework to further rights-based
approaches to development by, for and with persons with disabilities in the Asia and
Pacific region, including issues related to a comprehensive and integrated convention on
the rights of persons with disabilities, and (2) scheme for preparation of training and
resource materials to build national capacities for rights based approaches to
development.
(c) Substantive contributions to policy dialogue on norms and standards related to
disability produced on the light of selected experiences of the Asia and Pacific region.
The outcome of the regional seminar and workshop will inform the work of the Ad Hoc
Committee established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 56/168 with regard to
substantive aspects of the context and content of the proposed seventh international
convention on the rights of persons with disabilities as requested in Assembly resolution
57/229 (operative paragraph 4). The meeting outcome also is expected to contribute
substantively to efforts of Governments as well as civil society to promote full
participation and equality of persons with disabilities in social life and development in
line with the goals and objectives of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action for the
Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012).
(d) National capacities to promote rights based approaches to development among
interested countries of the Asian and Pacific region strengthened. The Asian and Pacific
regional meeting will involve participants in their individual capacity, with emphasis on
participants who have knowledge or personal experience with disability, in Asia and the
Pacific. Participants will gain new knowledge through technical exchanges and group work
on formulating a framework for strategic action to further rights based approaches to
development in Asia and the Pacific; they also will acquire improved understanding of
strategies and approaches to promote public awareness, of negotiating measures and
practical means to further implement norms and standards related to the rights of persons
with disabilities in the context of development.
(e) Civil society is informed and engaged in the promotion of rights based approaches
to development and participation of persons with disabilities in the mainstream. To ensure
open access and extensive awareness of the Asian and Pacific regional meeting as well as
provide opportunities for civil society input, the project will be based on accessible
Internet technologies to promote open and democratic dialogue on norms and standards
related to disability and development-based approaches to advancement of persons with
disabilities.
Notes:
1 General Assembly resolution 54/121 of 17 December 1999 and 56/115 of
19 December 2001.
2 General Assembly document A/52/56; Commission for Social Development
documents E/CN.5/2000/3 and E/CN.5/2002/4, respectively. |
