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Regional Workshop on Comprehensive National Plan of Action
on Disability - Towards the Mid-point Review 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 (BMF) |
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Organized by: UN ESCAP |
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Final Report | |
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Bangkok Declaration on National Action Planning and Disability-Inclusive Development | |
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Bangkok Recommendation on National Action Planning and Disability-Inclusive Development | |
The Biwako Millennium Framework provides a framework for action to further the goals of an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. BMF contains seven priority areas for action[1] and five strategic actions that Governments, in cooperation with civil society, are urged to pursue to further achieve the goals and commitments of BMF in the period 2003-2012. First among the strategic actions is formulation of medium-term (five-year) action plans on disability (paragraph 52). BMF further provides, in paragraph 53, that a rights-based approach should be taken to advance disability issues, and that disability issues should be effectively integrated in national development plans and a human rights agenda.
The first review of progress in implementing the BMF goals and commitments was conducted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UN ESCAP) in 2004. The findings of the review were considered at the UN ESCAP Regional Workshop on Monitoring Implementation of the Biwako Millenium Framework (Bangkok, 13-15 October 2004)
Twenty-three Governments submitted replies to the UN ESCAP questionnaire on progress in implementing BMF. A majority of responding Governments (15/23) reported that a national plan of action to implement BMF had been adopted – or was under formulation. The review noted that national planning priorities respond to priorities for action identified in BMF. In addition, 20 of the 23 responding Governments reported on the existence of a national coordinating committee - or similar mechanism - on disability for consultations on legislation, plans and programmes that affect the well being and livelihoods of persons with disability and their families.
The current Workshop on action planning on disability and development is organized by UN ESCAP to provide a forum for an intensive exchange of knowledge and experience on (1) progress as well as obstacles in implementing the goals and commitments of BMF and (2) concepts and issues related to action planning, implementation management and participatory monitoring and evaluation from the disability perspective. It is expected that the Workshop will identify a practical checklist on strategic approaches to planning, implementation management, monitoring and evaluation of disability-inclusive policies and plans.
In accordance with Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolution 61/8 of 8 May 2005, on preparations for the "Mid-point review of 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," the Workshop will also review the first draft of the "Biwako plus 5: Forward looking Strategies for the Second Half of the Decade," a working draft for a set of strategies for the second half of the Decade, which is to be ultimately reviewed and adopted at the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting.
[1] (1) Self-help organizations of persons with disabilities and related family and parent associations; (2) Women with disabilities; (3) Early detection, early intervention and education; (4) Training and employment, including self-employment; (5) Access to built environments and public transport; (6) Access to information and communications, including information, communication and assistive technologies; and (7) Poverty alleviation through capacity-building, social security and sustainable livelihood programmes.
