Implementation of the BMF
The Pacific Experience 2002-7

Presented by:
Setareki Macanawai, Chief Executive
Tewai Halatau, Chairperson
Latoa Halatau, Member

Pacific Disability Forum

Outline of a presentation

Slide 1

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BMF
The Pacific Experience 2002-7

The Pacific Disability Forum

2-3

Background

• PICs among the poorest and most marginalised
• Barriers are:
  • Prejudice
  • Ignorance
  • Apathy of policy makers
• World Bank estimates 20% of the poorest are PWD
• UNESCAP review 2001 indicated overall improvement in key policy areas
• Agenda For Action a blueprint for PIC governments
• Need further action
• Maintain impetus

4

BMF 2003-2012
GOAL:

To promote inclusive, rights-based societies, free of barriers for PWD

5

Priorities For Action

• Self-help organizations and related family and parent association;
• Women with disabilities;
• Early detection, early intervention and education;
• Training and employment, including self-employment;
• Access to built environments and public transport;
• Access to information and communications, including assistive technologies;
• Poverty alleviation

6

Implementing the BMF in the Pacific

Review of the priority areas:

7

Self Help Organisations

• DPOs in PICs play leading role in advocacy for national policies/plans/legislation
• Advocacy at both national and sub regional levels
• CBSHOD in PNG (12-16/2/07) attended by DPO reps from 13 countries
• National DPOs established in Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

8

Women with Disabilities

• 2003 – Pacific network started
• 2007 – PDF implements women’s programme
• DPOs increasingly lead by women
• Mainstream women’s organisations including disability issues

9

Early Detection, Intervention and Education

• 2002: Forum Basic Education Action Plan addresses disability
• To increase number of children attending school
• Key risk factor for poverty and exclusion: lack of education

10

Training and Employment

• DPOs promoted ILO Convention 159
• 2004: Fiji ratified C159
• ILO Fiji initiative: “Walking out of poverty” training programme included PWD
• Solomon Islands do a similar programme

11

Access to Built Environments and Public Transport

• DPOs promote accommodation of access

Fiji:

• Adopted building code provisions
• Addressed anti-discrimination law in its 1997 Constitution

12

Access to Information and Communications

• Several forums held in the Pacific
• Training at sub regional level
• Technical assistance and resources through APCD

13

Poverty Alleviation

• A priority for us all
• Addressed by each country in mainstream programmes

14

Legislation and Policy

PI countries at different stages of policy/legislation development:

• Cook Islands
• Fiji
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Vanuatu
• FSM
• Palau

15

Sub Regional Cooperation: Government

• 2003: PI Forum Leaders endorsed BMF for PICs
• Immediate priorities:
  • Develop policies
  • Coordinate research
• 2006: established PIFS Disability Coordination Officer position
• The Pacific Plan: an opportunity for including disability issues

16

Sub Regional Cooperation: DPO/NGO

2004: PDF established

• Work towards:
  • Inclusive
  • barrier-free
  • socially just, and
  • gender equitable societies that
  • recognise the human rights
  • Citizenship
  • contribution and potential of
  • people with disabilities

17

CONCLUSION

• Greater public and political awareness
• Disability recognised as an emerging social issue
• PDF will facilitate involvement in BMF Plus Five process
• PDF/ESCAP-POC Expert Group Meeting, Fiji

18

Presentation to the
UNESCAP Stakeholders’ Coordination Meeting
Bangkok, 1-2/3/07

Presenters:
Setareki Macanawai, Chief Executive
Tewai Halatau, Chairperson
Latoa Halatau, Member

Pacific Disability Forum

Return to top