Agenda 2-5
Report on CBR Asia Pacific Congress and Network
ByGhulam Nabi NizamaniInterim Coordinator CAPNThe First Asia-Pacific CBR Congress organized with over 650 participants from theentire Asia Pacific region and round the globe. It was indeed a big gathering of CBRpeople – planners, policy makers, and implementers, People with Disabilities,organizational representatives, UN Agencies, Developmental Agencies, Government
agencies and individuals in Bangkok, Thailand. Leading experts from across the world
shared their experiences, as a joint initiative of the UN agencies, Governments and civilsociety. The major theme of the Congress was "Community-based Inclusive
Development: people with disabilities and their families" with several sub-themes such as"CBR as grass-root strategy to promote Inclusive development" and "Stakeholders' roles
for promotion of CBR and inclusive development".
Objectives of Congress were:Bring key stakeholders together to share resources and to be updated

Develop an alliance and resource base for the Asia-Pacific region among
UN, Governments (GO), NGOs, DPOs and others.

Promote CBR as an effective multi-sectoral strategy to reduce poverty,ensure rights and enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities andtheir families

Promote the importance of the implementation of the CRPD, the BMF andBMF plus Five.

Promote community-based inclusive development for people withdisabilities and their families.



Introduction of CBR Guidelines; a joint publication of WHO, ILO and
UNESCO in in partnership with civil society.

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Promote research and evidence - based practice related to CBR artnershipwith civil society.

Achieved outcomes:
Formed CBR Asia-Pacific Network which will be ultimately part ofCBR Global Network

Developed multi-sectoral partnership and establishing Multisectoral CBR Strategy to operationalize the provisions ofConvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Linked up CBR with BMF, Millennium Development Goal (MDG),
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), and other mainstream
development initiatives.

Active participation of persons with disabilities and theirfamilies/organizations in CBR.

Member states to initiate/support/strengthen CBR within thecountry.

Future Plan of Actions on identified needs including research andgood practices.

The colorful program was initiated by traditional Thai dance and wasfollowed by the opening ceremony. There was representation from seniorlevel people from the Thailand government, United Nations, WHO, ILO
etc. Post all this the proceedings of the Congress was initiated. TheOrganizers of the Congress were Ministry of Social Development andHuman Security (MSDHS) Thailand, World Health Organization (WHO),
Foundation of Asia Pacific Development Center on Disabilities (APCDFoundation) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and supporters were different Ministriesof Royal Thai Government, JICA, APCD, CBM and LCDI. Many otherstakeholders also played a vital role like DPI AP, HI, WVI, AIFO,Sightsavers, APDF and many other organizations.
During the 3 days a range of topics were covered through discussions,presentations, debates (as well as side meetings over tea and lunch). Some

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Agenda 2-5of the topics that were covered included UNCRPD, CBR Matrix, CBR andwomen with disabilities, BMF, CBR and alliances, Research and evidence
based practice in CBR, CBR and accessibility, CBR networks, CBR andself help groups, etc. There were pre-cbr and post-cbr congress events, like
AIFO's CBR and Rights of Person with Disabilities 16 and 17 February,
APCD CBR training workshop on 21 February, Leprosy Workshop 21 and22 February 2009. In side meetings people from different organizations
like AIFO, HI, Sight Savers, LCDI and People with Disabilities held
meetings. Same time many countries have separate meetings and elected
coordinators for their respective countries to represent in CBR Asia
Pacific Network.
While some of the presentations were really useful, some were not at all
informative and some did not even speak on the topic assigned (and ratherspoke on their organisation and what they were involved in). While attimes it was hard to choose which of the concurrent sessions to attend, attimes the choice was evident (but not the learning’s that we all garnered!).
People with Disabilities also provided opportunities to express their views
about CBR.
The Congress provided an excellent platform to network withrepresentatives from across the region and interact with many others about
whom we had only heard or just were introduced on emails only. Sending
this report will also support those who not attended the CBR Congress andnow may contact with their country coordinators and support them todevelop a strong CBR Network on national level with equal opportunities
to Organizations of People with Disabilities.

A CBR Network developed, evolved or formed among CBR
implementers/practitioners, People with Disabilities, Gender equalizationand various type of organizations to promote and strengthen CBR, really it
is a natural network without any out side intervention. Now the strength of
the network depends on the strength of individual or organizational
members and the co-ordination and collaboration between members. It isexpected that the benefits from the network will be greater than those fromindividual efforts.
It is anticipated that the CBR AP Network will become very active inpromotion of CBR across the World, continent and in countries. The
Congress provided a great opportunity to form the assembly of theproposed CBR AP Network and a group of leaders. First meeting of CBR

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Agenda 2-5
AP Network held in Hotel Prince Palace and three immediate tasks
adopted:
1. Website of CBR AP Network will be designed. Till CBR AP Congress
website can be used (see link below).
2. Constitution of CBR AP Network will be drafted.
3. Action plan of CBR AP Network will be developed up to 2011 (till nextcongress).
The other tasks for the CBR Asia Pacific Network, defined:Develop the CBR Asia-Pacific Network, set up a secretariat
and seek funding (APCD will be requested to provide
facility for the secretariat and WHO will provide initialfunds for staff)

Collate or develop a regional resource base, promotional
materials in regional languages on National level.

Facilitate the formation of CBR National Networks andprovide support to the countries. As the each country
coordinator will be responsible to strength National CBRNetwork.

Organize training workshops to promote CBR andstrengthen CBR implementation in line with the forthcoming
CBR Guidelines at continental level and support similar
initiatives at country levelSupport research initiatives that will contribute to making
CBR more evidence-based, such researchersforum separately met and will support CBR AP Network inresearch field.

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Develop and establish the linkage between CRPD and CBR.

Facilitate linkages between different stakeholders anddevelop a strong alliance with Government,
National/International NGOs including DPOs

Organize regular CBR continental congress. Next congress
proposed in 2011 India and Philippines showed interest toorganize in their respective countries.

To provide support towards CBR World Congress to be held
once in four years starting from 2012.

The key to the success of CBR Asia Pacific Network is linked tothe CBR National Networks or sub-regional networks.

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