Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) the focus of meetings in the Pacific
The first ever Pacific Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) Forum and 'Inaugural Dialogue for Assistive Devices and Human Resources for Rehabilitation in the Pacific' were held in Fiji on 12-15 June.
Jointly hosted by the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Motivation Australia, and WHO, the forums brought together around 50 representatives from government, disabled people's organisations (DPOs) and disability service providers from across 14 Pacific Island countries to discuss actions that can be implemented in the community to help realize the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Regional and Australian training institutions, multilateral organizations and NGOs from Australia and New Zealand were also represented.
A notable outcome was establishment of a Pacific CBR Network to be hosted and supported by the Pacific Disability Forum. Membership includes three representatives (government, DPO and service provider) from each of Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. One representative from Australia and New Zealand will also join.
Acknowledging the unique regional approaches in the Pacific with regard to people with disability and the value of greater Pacific representation in both the Asia-Pacific and Global CBR fora, WHO publically announced support to the new Pacific CBR Network. Initially support will include assistance with CBR forums in the three Pacific sub-regions and Pacific representation at the upcoming 1st CBR World Congress. A Pacific CBR Action Plan to help guide countries towards implementing the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability and the Convention was developed and will be finalized in 2012.
For further information, contact Mr Chapal Khasnabis (khasnabisc@who.int) or Ms Pauline Kleinitz (kleinitzp@who.int).