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December 17, 2008
Information and Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities opened in Bishkek-Kyrgyz Republic
The following information is from Mr. Minoru Hiramoto, JICA Expert for the Project for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into Society in Kyrgyz Republic. We assume that Mr. Bakyt Kakiev, former participant of Leadership Development Course took part in the following activities.
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3rd December, the occasion of UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities*, the opening ceremony of the Information and Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities took place. The center was opened in the compound of Ministry of Labor and Social Development Building in Bishkek under the technical cooperation project between the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Government of Kyrgyz Republic, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Around 50 people consists of the representatives of both Kyrgyz and Japanese government, disabled peoples’ organizations, NGOs and international organizations participated in the event.
The Information and Resource Centre will serve not only for providing information and communication on disability to persons with disabilities and their organizations within the country but also function as the hub of network among disabled peoples’ organizations in Central Asia.
At the ceremony, Her Excellency, Ms. Ibraimova Elmira, Vice Prime Minister,
Government of Kyrgyz Republic, thanked the cooperation of Japanese government through JICA.
Referring to the international workshop ‘Capacity Development of Self Help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (CDSHOD)’ which Ministry of Labor and Social Development conducted 21st - 24th October, jointly with the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), she said “We are grateful for what we have discussed is now being realized step by step.”.
His Excellency, Mr. Yuichi Iizuka, Charge d'affaires, Embassy of Japan in Kyrgyz Republic, praised Kyrgyz Government for their initiative towards persons with disabilities and wished the cooperation between two countries will continue and enhance bilateral relationship.
“JICA believes that persons with disabilities are not target of charity but holder of rights and the agent of change. To be effective agents of change and to increase the ‘capability’, JICA provides persons with disabilities with training, information and opportunities of networking through our
experts, volunteers and training courses. The Centre will be a place of the human resource development.”, Mr. Hideaki Maruyama, Chief Representative,
JICA Kyrgyz Republic Office said in his speech.
Her Excellency, Ms. Uktomkhan Abdullaeva, Minister of Labor and Social Development, wished the center and its activities will be expanded. “The present center is a small one. But by the initiative and unified effort of persons with disabilities, we will make it bigger in the future.”, she said.
At the end of ceremony, Mr. Kalyk Mambetakunov, President of Association of Disabled Persons in Kyrgyzstan expressed gratitude on behalf of disabled community. Ms. Asipa Musaeva, Vice President of Association of Disabled Persons in Kyrgyzstan was handed over the donated items from Kyrgyz Government as well as the key of the center.
The center is equipped with computers and seminar room for information exchange and training. It is also made accessible for wheelchair users. The entrance has ramp and floor is leveled. Toilet has sliding door and hand rails for physically disabled.
“We follow the building code of Kyrgyz Government. We also consulted with local persons with disabilities including wheelchair users. The country already has guidelines and disabled persons who can work as professional consultants. Creating this kind of barrier free environment is easier and
less costly for new construction. I hope the center will be a model for other public facilities. “, said Mr. Minoru Hiramoto, JICA expert, Project for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into Society in Kyrgyz Republic.
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* The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3rd of December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and
well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by General Assembly in 1982. This year’s theme is "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us".
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Posted by jicafriends at December 17, 2008 10:52 AM