The 15th World Federation of the Deaf
Regional Secretariat in Asia/Pacific (WFD RSA/P)
Representatives Meeting
July 23, 2003, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (WFD World Congress)
Participants: 26 representatives from 16 countries
WFD RSA/P Director: Mr. Takeo Ogura Australia Mr. Brett Casey, Ms. Ann Darwin Bangladesh Mr. Ruhul Quddus Khan China Ms. Yang Yang, Mr. Chen Jie Hong Kong Mr. Wong Siu lung, Mr. Wong Moon Chung India Mr. Rajkumar, Mr. K. Marali Indonesia Mr. Dimyati Hakim, Mr. Iwan Satryawan Iran Mr. Rouzbeh Ghahraman, Mr. Behzad Ashtari Japan Mr. Yutaka Osugi, Mr. Yosuke Ota Korea Mr. Ki-Bum Kim Macau Ms. Ka Weng U, Mr. Tie Fung Szeto Malaysia Mr. Mohammad Sazali Bin Shaari Nepal Mr. Bikash Dangol New Zealand Mr. Kim Robinson, Mr. Kevin Stokes Pakistan Mr. Muneeb Mansoor Philippines Ms. Rachelle Tansiatco Thailand Mr. Surachet Lertsajayan, Mr. Surasak Chittasettakul
WFD Representatives:
WFD Board Member Mr. Eiichi Takada WFD Board Member Mr. Joo-Hai Kang
Observers:
Approximately 40 observers from 12 countries
1. Opening of the Meeting
Mr. Takeo Ogura, the Director of WFD RSA/P, opened the meeting and welcomed the delegates with the following opening statement: "We were worried that the participation might be too small and that we might have to cancel this meeting. Therefore, I am very happy to be able to welcome such a large number of representatives here today, making it possible to hold this meeting as planned. We planned to collect 15 Canadian dollars as registration fee. However, WFD has kindly offered to let us use the room for free of charge, making it possible to reduce the registration fee to 5 Canadian dollars."
Director Ogura next introduced the new WFD RSA/P logo. The new logo is based on the design proposed by Nepal, which was chosen as the best design at the previous Representatives Meeting. It has been simplified to enable its use as a logo. In future, there are plans to use the new logo in the formal RSA/P letterhead, etc.
Mr. Ogura proposed that the participants offer a minute's silence in prayer for the members of the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand who died in a car accident. Representatives who participated in the previous meeting were among those that died in the accident.
2. Statements from former and newly elected WFD Board Members
Former Board Member, Mr. Eiichi Takada, congratulated the participants for the successful holding of the 15th Representatives Meeting and gave special mention to the efforts of Director Ogura. He explained that the UN agencies and ESCAP are working toward the realization of an international Convention to eliminate discrimination toward persons with disabilities. He stressed the need for the Deaf to speak out on the problems and situations they are confronting, so as not to fall behind the international movements.
3. Confirmation of Attendance and Self-introductions
The 15th WFD RSA/P was attended by representatives from 16 countries, WFD board members, and observers. The participants introduced themselves. Of the members of RSA/P, the countries (territories) which were unable to attend were Mongolia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
4. Explanations on the Scheduled Program for the Meeting
Director Ogura explained the scheduled program for the meeting.
5. Confirmation of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the 14th WFD RSA/P were confirmed and approved.
6. Adoption of the Agenda
The agenda for the meeting was adopted by a unanimous approval.
* Comment from the representative of Australia: "This meeting is very important, but because it is held during the WFD World Congress, we are missing part of the Congress program. I propose that we hold the RSA/P Meeting at a time that does not coincide with the World Congress events."
* Comment from Director Ogura: "If we hold the RSA/P meeting before or after the World Congress, the participants would have to lengthen their stay. This would imply extra cost for accommodations, etc. Therefore, we decided to hold the meeting during the World Congress. I would like to have more opinions on this matter, because the same problem will arise at the World Congress to be held in 4 years.
* The following comments were made in response to Director Ogura's call for opinions:
・ An extra day's stay before or after the World Congress would not imply such a big cost, so it should be suitable.
・ The discussions might be conducted more effectively to reduce the time.
・ If the RSA/P Representatives Meeting were to be held after the World Congress, everyone would be too tired to concentrate. Participants can concentrate more if the meeting were held before the Congress. In that case, we can spend the whole day on this meeting. If it were held after the Congress, there might be other matters to attend to, and we may not be able to spend the whole day on A/P matters.
・ Why not propose that the Regional Secretariat Meetings be made part of the World Congress program? In that case, we would be able to adjust the time so that the Meetings would not be held at the same time as the Commissions and other Congress events.
・ Why don't we hold the Representatives Meeting twice during the World Congress, each for 2 hours of focused discussions?
・ Why don't we divide the Meeting program into speeches and presentations, discussions, etc., and hold them separately at a different time?
7. Report of Activities
Director Ogura gave a report on the activities of the WFD RSA/P during
2002~2003. The report was adopted unanimously.
8. Election of the WFD RSA/P Management Committee
The WFD RSA/P received 8 nominations for the new members of the Management Committee, but 2 of these nominations were invalid. Therefore, an election was held to choose 5 Management Committee members out of 6 candidates.
The 6 candidates were from Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, and Thailand. (Iran withdrew its nomination due to economic reasons. The Philippines nominated a person who is not a member of their national organization, so the nomination was invalid.)
As a result of the election, the following 5 members were elected as the new Management Committee:
Australia
Bangladesh
Japan
Nepal
Thailand
9. Plans for forthcoming WFD RSA/P Representatives Meetings
9.1 The 16th WFD RSA/P Representatives Meeting
Indonesia presented reference materials to explain its plans for the
hosting of the 16th Representatives Meeting.
Indonesia's plans were unanimously approved.
9.2 The 17the WFD RSA/P Representatives Meeting
The representative from China presented reference materials to explain its plans for the hosting of the 17th Representatives Meeting. China explained that it plans to hold the meeting in September 2005, in view of the fact that the 16th Meeting will be held at the very end of 2004.
China's plans were unanimously approved.
10. WFD RSA/P Youth Camp
Management Committee member, Mr. Sazali, explained: "The Youth Camp is an event for Deaf youth under 35 years of age. Until now, the WFD Youth Camp was held mainly in European countries, making it difficult for the Deaf youth from the Asian region to participate. Therefore, Malaysia hosted the 1st WFD RSA/P Youth Camp to make it easier for the youth in our region to participate. The 2nd Youth Camp was held in New Zealand. At the 2nd Youth Camp, the participant(s) from Japan proposed that the next camp be hosted by Japan. Has there been any progress on this initiative in Japan? I propose that we discuss the site for the next camp."
The Japanese representative explained: "The participants of the 2nd WFD RSA/P Youth Camp were individual participants and not representatives of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD). Therefore, JFD cannot take responsibility for the opinions expressed at the camp. However, JFD is ready to discuss the possibility of hosting the camp should it be desired."
The representative of Malaysia proposed that the Regional Secretariat recruit candidates for the 3rd WFD RSA/P Youth Camp.
The representative of Thailand commented, "I think there should be some articles on the Youth Camp in the WFD RSA/P Bylaws. If we include the basic guidelines for holding the camps, the age restrictions, rules for supporting airplane fees, etc. in the Bylaws, it can be used as reference by all the member countries."
Director Ogura replied: "All these opinions will be taken into consideration. The Management Committee will discuss the possibility of drafting the WFD RSA/P Youth Camp Guidelines as well as the way to decide the host country for the next Youth Camp." This decision was approved by the participants.
12. International Movements, International Conferences
Former WFD Board Member, Mr. Takada, reported on recent international movements and international conferences related to the United Nations Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.
Former WFD Board Member, Mr. Kang, reported on the outcomes of the WFD General Assembly.
13. Reports from Member Countries of WFD RSA/P
13.1 China
The representatives from China presented reference materials to give the report.
13.2 Macao
The representatives from Macao presented reference materials to give the report.
13.3 Philippines
The representatives from the Philippines presented reference
materials to give the report.
13.4 Thailand
The representatives from Thailand used reference materials to give the report.
14. WFD RSA/P Financial Report
The Management Committee presented the Financial Report.
The Financial Report was unanimously approved.
15. Proposals from WFD RSA/P Member Countries
15.1 The representative from Indonesia commented: "In order to promote the use of International Sign, I propose that we set up a Committee on International Sign. If this Committee can develop and establish International Sign, we can introduce these signs in our Indonesian Sign Language books. The readers can learn the International Signs by comparing them with Indonesian Signs.
Former WFD Board Member, Mr. Kang, commented: "At a previous WFD Board Meeting, I once proposed that we publish a book on International Signs. When Deaf people from different parts of the world meet, we have communication problems. Therefore, I proposed that we make a book on International Sign. At present, this is being considered by the WFD Board Meeting."
The representative from Japan commented: "Today, International Sign is used in many international conferences (of WFD). However, it is doubtful whether the representatives from Asian countries can really understand this International Sign. It can be presumed that they cannot understand it. International Sign is developed and formed in international events where Deaf people from different countries get together. As the majority of the members of the newly elected WFD Board are from European and American countries, there is the fear that the International Sign which will be used in future international conferences will be one which is strongly influenced by European and American sign languages. Japan recently published a Book on Signs of Country Names with the hope that a sign system respecting the signs of all the regions of the world will be spread internationally. In future, we hope that International Sign will be unified into an internationally balanced sign system. We can then make books, videos, CD, and other materials on International Sign. I want all of you to send petitions to WFD, requesting these points."
15.2 The Japanese representative stated, " I wish to make a proposal on behalf of former WFD Board Member, Mr. Takada. I propose that Mr. Takada should represent WFD RSA/P at coming UN conferences."
The proposal was unanimously approved.
16. WFD RSA/P Action Plans for 2003-2004
Director Ogura proposed that the newly elected Management Committee should
take the responsibility to draw up the Action Plans and Policies for 2003-2004.
The proposal was unanimously approved.
17. Closing
President Chris Kenopic of the Canadian Association of the Deaf commented, "I pray that the member countries of WFD RSA/P will continue to work together for the development of the Deaf Movement."
The meeting was adjourned by Director Ogura.
<< End of Meeting >>
第15回世界ろう連盟アジア太平洋地域事務局代表者会議
2003年7月23日 カナダ・モントリオール（世界ろう者会議）