Minutes of the General Assembly Meeting of the APDFYWCA Fort Canning Lodge, Singapore
26 November 2003, 09:00-11:30
Participants :Australia: Mr. Frank Hall-Bentick, Disability Australia
China: Mr. Zhang Baolin, China Disabled Persons’ Federation
Ms. Li Dong Mei, China Disabled Persons’ Federation
Chinese Taipei: Mr. Robert Lin, Eden Social Welfare Foundation
Hong Kong SAR, China: Mr. Joseph Kwan,
Mr. John Fung
Indonesia: Ms. Maulani A. Rotinsulu, Indonesian Disabled People’s Association
Japan : Mr. Akira Kodama, Preparatory Committee of Japan Disability Forum
Mr. Ryo Misawa, Preparatory Committee of Japan Disability Forum
Mr. Etsuko Ueno, Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Malaysia : Mr. Godfrey Ooi, Malaysian Federation of the Blind
Maldives: Ms. Ijazula Ali, Care Society
New Zealand: Mr. Graham McKinstry, Inclusion International, New Zealand
North Korea :Mr. Kim Yong Chol, Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled
Singapore: Ms. Judy Wee, Handicap Welfare Association
Mr. PT Lim, the Organizing Committee of APDF Conference, Singapore
South Korea: Mr. Hyung Shik Kim, Korean Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Mr. Dal-Yob Lee, Daegu UniversityThailand : Ms. Suppattraporn Tanatikom
Vietnam: . Duong Thi Van, Bright Future for Persons with Disabilities
Mr. Nghiem Xuan Tue, National Coordinating Committee
DPI Asia and the Pacific: Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, Chairperson, DPI Asia and the Pacific Regional
Council
Mr. Topong Kulchincut, Thailand
Inclusion International Asia and the Pacific: Mr. JB Munro, Coordinator of Inclusion International,
Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Graham McKinstry
Rehabilitation International Asia and the Pacific :Mr. Ryosuke Matsui, Vice President for RI Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Benny Cheung, Deputy Vice President for RI Asia and the Pacific
A/P of the World Federation of the Deaf:
Mr. Yutaka Ohsugi, Japan
Regional Women with Disabilities Network:
Korean Lady？
Asia Pacific Work Center Network？: Mr. Ichiro Maruyama, Japan
Mr. Akira Tateoka, Japan

Observers :Ms. Kay Nagata, UNESCAP
Ms. Penny Price, Consultant to UNESCAP
Ms. Naoko Ito, Asia and Pacific Center on Disability
About 200 observers

Minutes:
The meeting was opened and a welcome was extended to all delegates by Ms Judy Wee,
Chairperson elect of APDF.
Mr Matsui invited JB Munro to Chair the meeting.
JB welcomed each country in turn.

Mr Matsui introduced Mr. Akira Kodama, Representative of Preparatory Committee of theJapan Disability Forum to present a statement which includes the followings.
“Mr Kodama offered congratulations on the setting up of the APDF.
He commented that the first AP Decade of Disabled Persons had seen an impressive effort
towards the achievement of equal opportunities for PWD in each country of the region, butthat new challenges arise and many issues were not solved by 2002. The extension of the AP
Decade from 2003-2012 and the formation of APDF provide an opportunity to continue ourefforts as a NGO community.
APDF must take the initiative to implement and monitor the BMF and must work for thesuccessful achievement of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The activity towards this goal has been very positive in 2003 with the Ad Hoc Committee
Meeting held in New York in June, and a series of meetings held by UNESCAP which
resulted in draft text formulated in Bangkok in October, known as the Bangkok Draft. Inorder to expedite the development of the Convention there must be strong partnerships
formed between Government and NGO community in each country, to lead us to the goal ofa society for all. The monitoring mechanism must not be any less than it is for otherconventions and must cover all the rights of PWD.”
JB presented a brief history of RNN and the role of NGO in the first AP Decade.
He emphasized that the work was not complete and that the joint tasks of implementing BMF
and supporting the move towards a Convention must be pursued strongly. PWD need to beincluded in the Millennium Development Goals and consumers. APDF speaks for millions ofPWD and on their behalf we must demand a change in policy that will bring betterment toeach individual.
Agenda item 1: Approval of APDF Constitution
JB emphasized that in order for APDF to do this formal organization was necessary.
The Constitution must be formally and democratically adopted. He reported that the draft
had been formulated with wide consultation and that a preparatory meeting had been held on
25 November 2003, attended by delegates of many countries.
A drafting Committee was formed for the purpose of preparing a Singapore Declaration as anoutcome of this historic meeting. (10 persons on drafting committee and Penny would act asrapporteur).
The Constitution was presented clause by clause, with discussion, minor amendmentssuggested and unanimously accepted, before formal adoption.
There was some discussion on the need for gender balance in the Executive.
The Constitution was formally adopted at 11:20.
Agenda item 2 Election of Executive Committee Members
The meeting was informed that nominations had closed on 15 November 2003 and that nofurther nominations would be accepted.
The following Office bearers were elected unopposed:
Chair : Ms. Judy Wee, Handicap Welfare Association, Singapore
Vice Chairs: Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, DPI Asia and the Pacific Council, Japan2Mr. JB Munro, II Asia and the Pacific, New Zealand
Treasurer : Mr. Frand Hall-Bentick, Disability Australia
Secretary General : Mr. Ryosuke Matsui, Vice President of RI for Asia and the Pacific

Agenda item 3 Election of Working Committee Members
The following Working Committee chairs were elected unopposed.
Chairs of Working Committees
Convention : Mr. Monthian Buntan, Executive Member of World Blind Union
Research and Development : Co chairs Mr. Topong Kulchinkat, Regional Coordinator,DPI Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Hyung Shik Kim, Korean Society for Rehabilitation ofPersons with Disabilities
Information : Dr. Joseph Kwok, Hong Kong Physically and Mentally Disabled Persons
Gender Issue : Ms. Supattraporn Tanatikom, ILP Co-ordinator
Fund Raising and Sponsorship : Mr. Godfrey Ooi Goat See, Deputy Director of
Malaysian Association for the Blind
Conference Committee: Absent until the next Conference Venue is decided.

Agenda item 4 Decision on Secretariat.
Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities was decided unopposed.
Agenda item 5: Discussion on an Action Plan for 2004-2005
This agenda item was deferred
Agenda item 6: Discussion on Future Conference Venues
Brief discussion was held with South Asia and the Pacific raised as possible venues for henext APDF Conference.
Agenda item 7: Others
There was no other business.
The meeting closed at 11:36am3