Interregional Consultative Expert Meeting
on disability-sensitive policy design and evaluation
for sustainable livelihoods for all in the twenty-first century

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Overview

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme, Jakarta Country Office and the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia are organizing jointly the "Interregional consultative expert meeting on disability-sensitive policy design and evaluation for sustainable livelihoods for all" from 15 to 17 January 2002 at Jakarta, The Institute for Social Development Studies, as project cooperating agent, is assisting with substantive preparations for the Meeting.

The Meeting is co-financed by resources from the United Nations "Development Account Project 00/01H, Capacity building for equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities" and responds to project objective two, 'building national capacities for sustainable livelihoods, social services and safety nets by, for and with persons with disabilities". The Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs serves as Programme Manager for the Development Account on behalf of the Secretary-General.

Purpose and scope of the Meeting.

The Consultative Expert Meeting is organized with the basic aim of furthering equalization of opportunities in social life and development for persons with disabilities through a strategic assessment of issues and trends related to sustainable livelihoods, social services and safety nets.

The Meeting will provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and national experiences between experts in sustainable livelihoods, safety nets and inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. It is expected that the Meeting will produce as a final product a strategic framework on advocacy, formulation of policy options as well as a scheme for preparation of training and resource materials on sustainable livelihoods and safety nets with special attention directed to persons with disabilities in countries.

Objectives of the Meeting.

The Meeting will provide a forum for presentations and discussions of concepts, methods and applications of policies, plans and programmes concerning livelihoods, social services and safety nets and persons with disabilities in countries.

1. Development objective of the Meeting.

The Meeting exchanges and results are expected to contribute to the further empowerment of persons with disabilities to maximize their capacities for social and economic contributions through review and identification of coordinated and integrated strategies and policy options that will contribute to elimination or mitigation of the personal, social and environmental barriers to their full and effective participation, and equality.

2. Specific objectives of the Meeting

(a) To provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and national experiences between experts in sustainable livelihoods, safety nets and rehabilitation, inclusion and empowerment of disabled people;

(b) To review and discuss issues and trends related to sustainable livelihoods, social services and safety nets and persons with disabilities;

(c) To formulate strategic frameworks to strengthen and integrate disability issues, and people with disabilities into the disability policy design and planning processes of local, national and regional governments as well as the non-governmental community;
(d) To establish an open and democratic network of excellence to promote awareness and build capacities for sustainable livelihoods by, for and with persons with disabilities.

Proposed organization of work.

The Meeting will carry out its work in three plenary presentations cum technical exchanges and in small groups during the period of 15 to 17 January 2002:

(1) Overview of issues and trends in sustainable livelihoods, safety nets and participation of persons with disabilities, including relevant international norms and standards related to persons with disabilities.

(2) Group work on priority issues in livelihoods, social services and safety nets:

1. Social rehabilitation strategies that maximize the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities;
2. Social inclusion and empowerment policies and strategies that facilitate the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in family and community life and in social and economic development;
3. Services planning, design and delivery options with special attention directed to people with disabilities so severe that they cannot independently sustain themselves.

(3) Review and discussion of concepts and methodologies to determine and establish an appropriate balance between investments in rehabilitation, inclusion and social protection, and methodologies to make the necessary investments in the context of multifaceted and integrated frameworks designed to foster the physical and social integration of persons with disabilities into the social and economic mainstream. The issue of de-institutionalization of care of persons with disabilities with special reference to countries with economies in transition will be considered.

(4) Formulation of a strategic framework on advocacy, policy design and evaluation, and a scheme for preparation of training and resource materials on sustainable livelihoods and social safety nets by, for and with people with disabilities in countries.

Meeting participant profile.

Participation in the Meeting is by invitation and will include individuals with considerable experience in policy design, planning and development, and evaluation of livelihoods, social services and safety nets in countries. The Meeting aims to achieve representative regional coverage, with emphasis on developing countries, and participation in terms of disciplinary background, experience in policy processes, planning and evaluation, and personal knowledge or experience of disability in countries.

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Last updated 11/02/03.