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ADHOC COMMITTEE
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| Documents and contributions |
| NGO Participation |
Ad Hoc
Committee DocumentsDisability African Regional Consultative Conference (ARCC) |
The format of the African Regional Consultative Conference on Disability was based on:
Two speakers presented a government perspective on the Decade and two speakers presented a civil society perspective. This summary only highlights the key issues that were raised by the speakers.
Government's Perspective
Key issues raised in the Government presentations related to acknowledging
that although governments have done some work, there is still much more
that they need to do. The main role of Government is to create a policy
and legislative framework and an environment that recognises the rights
and dignity of persons with disabilities. There is a need to mainstream
disability across all line departments and all spheres of government. In
terms of implementation of the Decade, a Continental Plan of Action was
developed and adopted in Addis Ababa (2002) by both government and
representatives of DPOs. Hence both groups are obliged to ensure its
effective implementation. At the Addis Conference, the African
Rehabilitation Institute (ARI) was given the responsibility of co-ordinating
governments' implementation of the Decade ARI had to collaborate with the
Pan African Federation (PAFOD) , the DPO which was given the
responsibility for co-ordinating civil society's implementation. It was
also pointed out that there was a need for the disability sector to
understand how the African Union systems and processes work so that they
sector can make their interventions and contributions to the correct
channels within set timeframes. The need to determine governments'
commitment to continue to working in partnership with civil society to
ensure effective implementation over the next 7 years was also stressed.
Civil Society's Perspective
Key principles that emerged from the presentations of the Civil Society
Perspective included acknowledging that organisations of disabled persons
(DPOs) are not homogenous and should not be dealt with as such. There is a
need for disabled persons to be involved in the development of plans and
for these plans to be cognisant and reflective of the diversity of
disability needs. There is also a need to build the capacity of persons
with disabilities and Disabled Peoples Organisations at an organisational
and individual level towards building strategic leadership skills that can
meet the challenges facing the sector. Both speakers reinforced the fact
that the African Decade of Disabled Persons was an initiative of DPOs.
Thus they need to remain the central driver of the further implementation
of the Decade. The successful implementation of the Decade requires
securing stronger political will and commitment in some countries. At the
same time, DPOs have to engage constructively on what they can do, what
resources and skills they have to offer and to increase the networking
amongst themselves. The roles of government and civil society were
explained as:
Governments bear ultimate responsibility for implementing the activities of the Continental Plan of Action but civil society organisations can assist governments in this work, and the primary role of civil society organisations is advocating and lobbying for the necessary changes and monitoring and evaluating the impact. In terms of this DPOs must be more proactive in keeping their constituencies informed of processes and initiatives.
Summary
The Group discussions yielded concrete proposals on the strategic areas to
focus on over the next 7 years, amendments and additional activities that
should be included in the Continental Plan of Action plus the structures
that need to be established for further effective implementation. These
are detailed in the Main Report and the Appendix Section of the Report.
In Summary, the areas of consensus related to:
The strategic areas to focus on over the next 7 years, activities that should be added to the Continental Plan of Action, amendments to some of the activities already listed in the Continental Plan of Action and the establishment of a Decade Secretariat that will be hosted by South Africa.
The first presenter provided information on how NEPAD emerged, its structures, objectives, purpose, goals and expected outcomes. The second presenter focused on the existing areas of synergy between the African Decade of Disabled Persons and NEPAD objectives and activities. The detailed presentations of both Speakers are contained in the Appendix section of the Report.
Group and Plenary discussions on the issue yielded consensus on the following:
There are clear and obvious links hence working together is imperative. Thus the NEPAD Secretariat must be approached about integrating disability issues into its programmes and about working directly with persons with disabilities. The Office on the Status of Disabled Persons and DPOs in South Africa, in collaboration with continental DPOs and ARI was tasked with initiating discussions with the NEPAD Secretariat on working together and on the outcomes of this African Regional Consultative Conference. It was also decided that the Decade Secretariat, when it is established, must perform this role of collaborating with NEPAD's Secretariat. To facilitate discussions with and participation in NEPAD, the disability movement should audit itself in terms of skills and resources, in terms of what the movement will be bringing to the table as a partner.
The details on areas of synergy that can be prioritised are contained in the Main Report (page 15) and Appendix Seven in the Appendix Section of the Report.
There were four presentations on the UN System and Processes, the UN content and gains from using the system, the issues leading to the proposal, the risks, challenges, principles, format, etc that has to be considered in relation to the proposed Convention and on how Non Governmental Organisations can work with the UN System.
Key issues raised in these presentations related to an explanation of how the UN system operates and how the NGOs can interact with the system - both directly and indirectly. It was pointed out that a convention is legally binding and allows for proper monitoring of implementation and adherence. Thus far, the African voice has been weak and participation of Africa in meetings dealing with this issue has been inadequate. Speakers stressed that African participation is crucial to ensure that our views on the objectives, scope, principles, monitoring and the consultative processes leading to the development of the Convention are taken on board. It is important that the African context and views of a developmental approach to disability that recognises the impact of poverty and the need to integrate disability into mainstream poverty and other socio-economic programmes aimed at creating a better life for all are clearly recognised.
The Group reports and plenary discussions yielded concrete proposals on the principles that must be contained in the proposed Convention. Again, these are detailed in the Main Report and the Appendix Section of the Report.
On the 6 May 2003, the last day of the Conference, participants were addressed by the Honourable Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa. During his address, the President offered to raise issues from this Conference at three critical meetings taking place this year, namely:
The Conference closed with a Statement that lists the areas of agreement by all participants. The full text of the Statement is contained at the end of the Main Report.