Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns |
| Adopted by 6th session of TWG-DC, 5-6 June 2003
Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns
I. Background The Thematic Working Group has functioned continuously since 1986 when it was established as the Asia-Pacific Inter-organizational Task Force on Disability-related Concerns. The group functioned within various structures and with different names until 2000, when it was renamed the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWGDC), one of several Working Groups under the Regional Coordination Mechanism. The Terms of Reference dated 16 December 2000 indicated that the first term of the TWGDC would run until the successful convening of the regional meeting to conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. On 22 May 2002 ESCAP members and associate members adopted resolution 58/4 on promoting an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for people with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific region in the twenty-first century, by which they proclaimed the extension of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons to the period 2003-2012. The High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, met at Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan from 25 to 28 October 2002. It adopted 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 Biwako Millennium Framework stated that “A regional working group comprising the United Nations system, Governments and civil society organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities in the region, should meet regularly to coordinate and monitor implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action”. II. Objectives The overall objectives of the TWGDC are to: 1. Promote multi-sectoral collaborative action directed at the inclusion of rights-based disability concerns in all mainstream development policies, programmes and projects. 2. Promote policies and legislation for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, in consonance with existing regional and global mandates. 3. Strengthen inter-organizational coordination and operational linkages at all levels to include persons with disabilities as visible target participants and beneficiaries in development programmes and projects for all social groups. 4. Promote joint action, including contributing substantive funding and other resources in support of the planning, organization and conduct of major regional events for the full participation and equality of persons with disabilities. 5. Promote inter-country technical cooperation in support of building national and local capabilities on disability-related concerns. 6. Disseminate widely at all levels and in appropriate formats, through partners and networks of TWGDC members, information on the status of disability-related mandates, and forthcoming global and regional events. 7. Promote the transfer of learning between regions of the world, with particular attention to Africa and the Arab region, with a view to minimizing duplication of effort and maximizing international cooperation and achievement. III. Organization Name: Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns Chair: ESCAP Co-chairs: APDF, DPI, FAO, ILO, Members: 1. United Nations bodies and specialized agencies that wish to participate 2. Concerned governments 3. Concerned semi-autonomous disability-related bodies 4. Concerned intergovernmental bodies 5. Concerned non-governmental organizations (NGOs) 6. Observers IV.
Functions a) Self-help organizations of persons with disabilities and related family and parent association; b) Women with disabilities; c) Early detection, early intervention and education; d) Training and employment, including self-employment; e) Access to built environments and public transport; f) Access to information and communications, including information, communication and assistive technologies; and g) Poverty alleviation through capacity-building, social security and sustainable livelihood programmes. 2. The United Nations agencies, NGOs and governments participating in the TWGDC will discuss areas of mutual concern in the light of their respective programmes of work relating to disability-related matters and develop a regional and/or sub-regional advocacy and work agenda for joint action, which is cost-effective and results-oriented. United Nations and NGO members of the TWGDC will encourage governments to participate in its sessions. 3. The TWGDC will promote and support activities related to the elaboration of the comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. 4. The TWGDC will promote the participation of persons with disabilities in the monitoring of the six core human rights treaties and other conventions and declarations as listed: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Beijing Platform for Action; Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action; Dakar Framework for Action on EFA; HABITAT Agenda and Istanbul Declaration; and the Millennium Development Goals and targets. 5. The TWGDC will promote the access by persons with disabilities to all United Nations premises and programmes by removing architectural, communication and other handicapping barriers. 6. The TWGDC will deal with specific issues by convening task forces in order to facilitate its work. 7. The Emerging Social Issues Division, ESCAP, will provide technical and secretariat support to the TWGDC. All ESCAP Divisions and Sections are welcome to participate in the meetings of the TWGDC. V.
Sunset clause VI.
Reporting
Signed by: Chair: __________________________________ Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary, ESCAP
Co-chair: _______________________________ Dr. HE Chang Chui, Assistant Director General, FAO
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