Declaration on the Establishment of the AP-DPO UNITED
To people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region:
The 1st and 2nd Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons have been promoted in the Asia-Pacific region in order to further the rights of persons with disabilities. Despite the efforts that have been made for the past 20 years for the rights of persons with disabilities, we do not feel many changes in our lives and haven’tenough opportunities to take ownership and participation. in decision making process.
Even if the governments of various countries come together and make a commitment for the next decade, it will be fruitless unless specific plans for persons with disabilities are implemented and monitored in each country. If the persons with disabilities do not participate or take the lead in disability-related issues, the gathering may end up being a mere one-time event for the governments involved and may be disconnected from the actual lives of persons with disabilities . This is a painful lesson that we have learned from our experiences over the past 20 years.
During the NewDecade, we will focus on putting the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into practice. It is important that the persons with disabilities who are the subject of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are well-represented and participate. Accordingly, persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, who are the parties concerned, are organizing the AP-DPO UNITED, an alliance of persons with disabilities in the region, in order to act as the main force to claim our rights in the New Decade
Now, the self-help organizations and DPOs of persons with disabilities are coming together to form an official organization with the aim of taking firmer action, promoting more organized solidarity, and establishing ourselves as a mechanism for implementing the 3rd Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.
We will form a new organization and take a direct part in decision-making in order to independently monitor the activities of the governments in various countries, call for the observance of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and confidently exercise our decision-making rights in the context of the government, the UN ESCAP and the arrangements for the 3rd Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.
We will strengthen our capabilities independently of others and protect our rights through mutual exchange, encouragement and organization. By doing so, we will take our seats at the negotiating table with the government representatives of various nations who will discuss plans for the New Decade and we will lay out our future. We will also execute action plans and strategies through non-governmental activities.
The international organizations and governments around the world can protect our rights only when it is based on our direct and active participation. Without this, persons with disabilities will remain service receivers even after another decade has passed, and it will be difficult to expect the advancement of our rights.
To self-help organizations and DPOs of persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region:
In the firm belief that participation is our right, let us raise the flag of the AP-DPO UNITED for the future of persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Make the Right Real! DPO UNITED Unveils the Future of the Disabled!
