NDF Participation in 2nd CBR Congress 2011 in Manila

NDF Participation in 2^nd CBR Congress 2011 in Manila

 

BY: Abid Lashari

Nawabshah Disability Forum (NDF) participated in 2^nd CBR congress as WHO delegate, held in Manila on 29^th November, to 01^st December 2011. The participation during the congress was great experience, where 640 delegates from 65 nations were at same floor. It was witnessed that each and everyone was engaged to share their experiences with others to build up new relationships, contacts and networks for future plans. Mr. Lashari witnessed the election of CBR-AP Network; during the process of election Mr. Ghullam Nabi Nizamani was declared un-opposed Chairperson of CBR-AP Network. Mr. Ghullam Nabi Nizamani was handed over the flag of CBR-AP Network by ex-chair Mrs. Yasmeen Kareem. During the sessions it was great learning to get to know about CBR Matrix, i.e Health, Education, Livelihood, Social & Empowerment.

Pakistan delegation was led by Mr. Ghullam Nabi Nizamani (ASHA Sanghar), Mr. Abid Lashari (NDF Nawabshah), Ms. Lubna Hashmat (CHIP Islamabad), Ms. Abia Akram (STEP Islamabad), Dr. Shahnawaz Monami , Ms. Fatima Gilani (CHEF Islamabad), Mr. Bilal Ahmed, Ahmed Gaznavi (SSI Islamabad), Dr. Bashir (lipracy Center Karachi) Dr. Jawad (Liprocy Center Islamabad).

All the sessions were very informative, which diverted the concentrations of the participants. This was great experience of my life and in my carrier in disability field. This kind of congress should be held in less developed countries, to develop knowledge of local representatives of NGOs, DPOs those are engaged in far flung remote areas of countries. It may help to create ideas to replicate successful projects in their localities to boost up activities of persons with disabilities.

Through the 3-day intensive discussion, the following perspectives were shared collectively as Manila recommendations:

1. Key outcomes of Community-based Inclusive Development initiatives are to empower community people, especially persons with disabilities. It is the most effective approach for CBR national networks and other CBR stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region to implement Community-based Inclusive Development approach in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

2. All CBR stakeholders are encouraged to work on evidence-based documentation on not only major CBR related topics and practices but also emerging issues especially disaster preparedness and response through multi-stakeholders’ collaboration.

3. Sub-regional aspects are emphasized, taking into consideration that more than 60% of the world population is within the Asia-Pacific region, in addition to diverse cultural backgrounds and huge geographical areas. It is our pleasure to have a lot of delegates from the Pacific.

4. The CBR African Network, the CBR Americas Network, the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) and the participants from the other regions were welcomed for being with us in the Asia-Pacific region and sharing different regional points of view to develop global initiatives such as the CBR Global Network

In this connection, the following recommendations are made through all sessions:
1. The MDGs and the CBR Guidelines including the CBR Matrix are reviewed by 2015 to mainstream disability from the perspective of Community-based Inclusive Development.

2. The gender perspective is considered in all CBR activities.

3. Networking and collaboration on CBR is strengthened to build communities for persons with disabilities, their family members and other community partners. Hence, CBR related trainings, monitoring, evaluation and mentoring, especially for the development of human resources with disabilities, need to be available.

4. The United Nations agencies and international development agencies including donors are encouraged to support CBR activities.

5. The importance of exchanging information about good practices is more recognized. Thus it is necessary for all CBR stakeholders to enhance knowledge management activities for the promotion of Community-based Inclusive Development.

6. In collaboration with the newly elected Executive Committee members of the CBR Asia Pacific Network, Japan is endorsed as the host country of the third Asia-Pacific CBR Congress in 2015.

7. Sub-regional mechanisms are focused by the CBR Asia-Pacific Network to strengthen CBR which would promote Community-based Inclusive Development in the Asia-Pacific region.

8. The preparation of the first CBR World Congress to be held in Agra, India on November 26-28, 2012 is to be supported.

9. The CBR Asia-Pacific Network takes a leadership role for the development of the CBR Global Network.