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November 27, 2008
Training Report : November 5, 2008: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy
On the second day, in the morning, the participants were asked to make their own role plays and present them in front of other groups. They were divided into three groups and discussed what kind of cases to be taken in their role plays and what messages to be conveyed. Even though the group was randomly selected and they were asked to create the play suddenly, they came up with really good role plays. All the stories they made were based on their real experiences and the performance of the participants were clear and realistic. Some participants even felt bad, recalling the painful experiences they had in the past.
At the end of the workshop, the participants gave some comments reflecting on the last two days:
* I see many abuses in my workplace but no one take action against it.
I got courage from the workshop and I want to make a step forward to fight against abuses upon return to my country.
* My organization provides consultation services but I never knew about internal barrier that those who get abused develop. I'd like to hold this kind of workshop in my country.
* Never accept abuse as our destiny. As a human being, we have to fight against abuses.
The participants got encouraged and empowered to fight against abuses seen in the daily life and to promote human rights of persons with disabilities. They closed the workshop by singing “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I Like ThisTown).”
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1105.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : November 4, 2008: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in December 2006. But do we really understand what human right is? How is it related to our day to day life? Often trivial abuses or maltreatments which are even not recognized as abuses can develop into serious violation of human rights.
Ms. Kinue SUZUKI, Ms. Keiko HIGUCHI and Mr. Hajime IWAMOTO facilitated the “Human Rights and Advocacy” workshop. This workshop was first introduced to this course last year but this year it was made into a two-day workshop with some improvements in the contents.
We started the workshop by singing a song “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I Like This Town).” It's a simple lyric but the song somehow cheers us when we sing it. This year it was sung not only in Japanese but also in English, and the participants sang this song repeatedly throughout the workshop.
The workshop consists of five steps: (1) what is abuse? (2) why is it difficult to stand against abuse? (3) In this way, you can stand against abuse! (4) Have a try! Believe in your power. (5) Win back our rights! Each step was explained in more details. A lot of role plays were used as a straight-forward but effective method to convey messages during this workshop. The new scenarios which reflected the reality of the participants' countries were created especially for this year's workshop. In this way the participants can take the role plays back to their respective countries to reproduce this workshop right away. The participants were encouraged to share their experiences or the cases commonly seen in their countries.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1104.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 26, 2008
AusAID Development for All - Towards a disability-inclusive Australian aid program 2009–2014
Word copy available from website.
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/keyaid/disability.cfm
MEDIA RELEASE
BOB MCMULLAN MP
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE MEMBER FOR
FRASER
AA 08 67 25 November 2008
The Australian Government has for the first time made people with disability a priority for Australia's international development program.
Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, will today launch Australia's first strategy to guide Australia's aid program in supporting people with a disability in the developing world.
An estimated 10 per cent of the world's population, or around 650 million people, live with a disability. Of these, about 80 per cent live in developing countries.
"Australia is committed to including people with disability in the fight against global poverty and supporting them to improve the quality of their lives," Mr McMullan said.
"People with a disability are among the poorest and most vulnerable in developing countries," he said.
The new strategy, 'Development for All', aims to improve quality of life for people with disabilities, strengthen prevention efforts and promote international leadership on disability and development.
It also seeks to improve understanding of disability and development across the Asia Pacific region.
"With good leadership, attitudes towards people with disability can change, services can be improved and people's lives can be transformed - not only the lives of the person with a disability, but their families and those around them," Mr McMullan said.
People with a disability face many barriers preventing them from participating in society, and are more likely to be socially excluded. Women and children with disability often face the greatest challenges.
The Australian Government recognises that poverty and disability are linked and is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach those who are most excluded.
Australia has recently ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and, in addition to launching the strategy is also preparing a national disability policy to be released in 2009.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)
African Decade of Persons with Disabilities Extended
The following informaion was found from Disabled Peoples' International's
(DPI) E-news and downloaded with permission of its publisher.
As most of you may know, the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities has been extended to December 2019. The extension was declared at the AU ministers in Charge of Development meeting held in Windhoek, Namibia on 27-31October, 2008.
With this declaration, the African Union adopted a Continental Plan of Action (CPOA) with twelve objectives that African States were to implement over the period. The twelve objectives cover a wide range of themes that are of critical importance to improvement in the lives of persons with
disabilities in Africa. These themes include ideas and strategies to:
a.. Formulate and implement national policies, programmes and legislations to promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities
b.. Promote the participation of persons with disabilities in the process of economic and social development
c.. Promote the self-representation of people with disabilities in all public decision-making structures
d.. Enhance support services for disabled persons
e.. Promote special measures for children, youth, women and elderly persons with disabilities
f.. Ensure and improve access to rehabilitation, education, training, employment, sports, and the cultural and physical environment
g.. To promote and protect disability rights as human rights
h.. To support the development of and strengthen Disabled Persons’ Organizations
i.. Mobilize resources
Posted by jicafriends at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)
November 20, 2008
Training Report : November 1, 2008: Visit: Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled
It was a clear autumn day. The participants visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled. Mr. Ueno, chairperson of Planning Committee and Mr. Kanoya who is a regular user of this center accompanied us all day today.
In the morning, the overview of the sports center was explained to the participants by Mr. Muramatsu, Deputy-director of Sports Support Division. He has been working for the center more than 20 years since its establishment. Mr. Muramatsu then introduced them various sports devices with which persons with even severe disabilities can enjoy sports safely. Some of those devices are very expensive to buy, however Mr. Muramatsu said that it could be made by hands by utilizing local materials which has similar characteristics. For instance, you may be able to substitute balls with metal inside for the sound table tennis with round-shaped plants' seeds which make noise when you shake.
Then the participants went on a tour to observe all the facilities; gymnasium, swimming pool, table tennis and sound table tennis, sports field, tennis court etc. The center also has barrier-free accommodation for persons with disabilities and the participants got excited to see Japanese Style rooms with Tatami mattress.
In the afternoon, the participants could choose sports that they want to try ! They were divided into three groups and experienced sound-table-tennis, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair badminton. At least one trainer was assigned to each facility and the participants could get instructions on the sports and enjoy it fully and safely despite all of them did not have previous experience.
Mr. Muramatsu concluded today's program by saying “The main aim of the center is to contribute to the realization of the principle of normalization through the promotion of sports and we have strived to promote the sports activities which persons with disabilities, persons without disabilities, and local residents are able to enjoy together.” The participants could deepen their understanding of the positive influence that the sports have on physical and mental aspects of persons with disabilities and also its important roles to promote more inclusive society.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1101.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2008
Training Report : October 31, 2008: Presentation: Personal / Organizational Report
Today, each participant made a presentation on the organization which they belong to, their job, and their personal history. This session used to be called “Personal Report Presentation” focusing on participants' personal background. However, from this year more emphasis is put on their organization and their work.
Another characteristic of the presentation this year was its venue. Instead of JICA Tokyo seminar room, it was held at the International Community Center (ICC) of Waseda University. This university is one of the most prominent Japanese private universities and it is also known for its established support services for students with disabilities which are not often available at many of universities in Japan yet.
At the presentation, consecutive interpreter as well as sign language interpreter was prepared to secure information and communication accessibility to all. As a result there were a number of audiences from various organizations: some lecturers of this course, others from non governmental organizations in the field of disability and development issues. Also several Waseda University students joined the session and asked many sharp questions. The participants also raised questions and gave comments to each other.
Today the participants as well as the related Japanese personnel could have good information on personal background and work and deepen understanding of each other. We would like to show our appreciation to the ICC, Waseda University for their cooperation in offering the location.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1031.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:55 PM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2008
Training Report : November 6, 2008: Peer Counseling and Peer Support
In the morning, the participants learned about what Peer Counseling is and why it is needed.
Peer counseling assumes that we all have the following philosophy: all human beings have creativity, wisdom, love, joy, and solidarity in abundance. This philosophy, an intrinsic part of all human beings, is easy to upset; therefore, in order to protect ourselves, we prepare defensive mechanism like fear and insecurity. As long as we are unable to discuss these hurt feelings and be comforted, we make decisions and take action based on our hurt feelings and sorrow rather than on clear, logical thought.
As long as these hurt feelings are not resolved by talking with someone else, the person's actions are filled with anguish and clear, rational thinking does not take place.
The participants seemed to be perplexed in the beginning because it was entirely the new method for all of them. But as the program was proceeded, they became to be curious to know about it.
In the afternoon, they went through session which they shared time equally to talk about their problems or experiences. The details cannot be explained here. If you would like to know of it, you should join us in the program.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1106.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2008
Training Report : October 29 - 30, 2008: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills
What are the important principles to be good leaders ?
Mr. Yoshinori IKEZUMI, the facilitator of this workshop, has over 30 years of experience in conducting participatory approach workshop in Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines and the other Asian countries.
Mr. Ikezumi started the first day by this word “this session is not going to be teaching, but we would like to exchange and share ideas that you have with all participants”.
He always threw back questions when participants asked a question. In this way, all participants were encouraged to speak up, share more ideas, and deepen their understanding of issues. He also presented about origin of key words which relates to disability and necessary skills of leaders.
The participants could come up with lots of new ideas which they can utilize for raising awareness of the community people.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1029.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:28 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : Accessibility Check in Tokyo Metropolitan City Lecture : “What is Personal Mobility ?”
Do people with disability in your country go to where they want to go, when they want to go, in a way they want to go ? Or do they only go to where they CAN go ?
In this morning, the participants were divided into 3 groups for accessibility check of transportation and building in Tokyo Metropolitan City. They left JICA Tokyo heading for 3 different famous sites in Tokyo as below.
Group 1: Ferris wheel “Big O”
Group 2: Roppoongi - Tokyo Midtown
Group 3: Hachiko (Statute of Japan's Most Faithful Dog)
While heading for the destinations, they checked various barrier-free facilities and devices provided for persons with disabilities. All participants were very much impressed about train staffs who came down to a platform with a portable ramp to assist wheelchair users. At the station where they get off, the train staff there was already waiting with a portable ramp ready to provide assistance. Very good communication between stations !
Today the participants were blessed with beautiful Japanese autumn weather and they enjoyed their tour.
In the afternoon, Mr. Yoshiaki IMAFUKU, Transportation Affairs Officer, Japan National Assembly of Disabled People's International (DPI-Japan), gave an explanation of each barrier-free facility, by looking at photos taken during the accessibility check this morning.
Then Mr. Imafuku raised two questions to the participants: (1) Why is it important for persons with disabilities to be able to go anywhere they want ? (2) If persons with disabilities don't have personal mobility, what rights will they be deprived of ?
He lectured about the brief history of making transportation accessible in Japan by taking about his involvement and achievement. The participants shared their ideas of personal mobility and how it is related to other spheres of life such as education, social life, employment as well as psychological aspects.
Through the accessibility check and the lecture, the participants could understand the importance for persons with disabilities to be able to go to places they want to go or need to go.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1028.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:25 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2008
Training Report : October 27, 2008 AM: Opening Ceremony and Program Oritentation
Nine participants of Leadership Development Course had arrived safely on Oct 21.
This year's participants are from Costa Rica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malawi, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Uganda.
Opening Ceremony was held today at Assembly Room of JICA Tokyo.
Welcome Speeches were addressed by Ms. Ritsuko SAKAMOTO, Director of Human Development Division, Tokyo International Center, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and then by Mr. Shuzo KATAISHI, Executive Director, Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD).
The participants took a group photo with flags of their respective countries behind.
After the Opening Ceremony, the Program Orientation took place. Firstly nine participants introduced themselves and expressed their expectations for the coming training program. Then Mr. Hiroshi UENO, chairperson of Planning Committee of this training course, gave explanation of this training.
Now the training is starting !
We are all looking for the working together as a team for the coming weeks!
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2008/training/l1027am.html
Posted by jicafriends at 08:39 PM | Comments (0)