Overseas Forum Updates
At the Member’s Forum in October, 2009, it was agreed that during the coming year the ABF would conduct a Member’s Forum on Overseas Aid and Support Programs.
As a result the Guide Dog Association of N.S.W. and A.C.T. hosted this event on 31st March, 2010. In attendance were representatives from 9 ABF member organisations in additions to representatives from:
- World Vision Australia
- Ausaid
- World Blind Union, and
- Vision 2020 Australia
The following presentations were made and copies of presentations are currently being collated and will be added to the ABF’s website once available. Those already received are hyperlinked below.
Topic
'World Vision Australia’ share their experience of working with people with disabilities - what they have learned and the current approaches they use'.
Presenter
Thurza Sullivan
Asia Pacific Co-ordinator, World Vision
Topic
How does Ausaid assist people who are blind or vision impaired? How can ABF members help? What partnerships are able to be created? What funds may be available?
Presenter
Ausaid – Anne Rigby
Disability Inclusive Development Team
Topic
The WBU and how it assists developing countries, in particular, the Asia Pacific Region?
Presenter
Mrs Maryanne Diamond
President, World Blind Union (WBU)
Topic
WBU in the Oceanic Region
Presenter
Dr Kevin Murfit,
Chairperson, Oceanic Region WBU
Topic
Vision 2020, working in developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region. (87KB)
Presenter
Mrs Jennifer Gersbeck
Chief Executive Officer
Vision 2020 Australia
Topic
Empowering Citizens, PNG
Presenter
Ms Robyn Gaile
Chief Executive Officer
Blind Citizens Australia
Topic
ABF Equipment Recycling Scheme. (37KB)
Presenter
Mr A Daly
Chairperson ABF
Topic
How can we ensure that information services are available to all people in the Asia Pacific?
Presenter
Ms Julie Rae
General Manager
Community Information Access
Vision Australia
Topic
“Education for All” Timor - Leste (1.3MB)
Presenter
Ms Frances Gentle, RIDBC & Renwick Centre
Education initiatives in the Pacific Region Ms Jan North, RIDBC
Topic
Looking for patterns, trends and issues
Presenter
Dr Mike Steer
If so, what are the needs?
What can ABF members provide?
How do we manage the process in the future?
At the conclusion of the above presentations the following actions were agreed by those present. These will be incorporated into the ABF’s Strategic Plan.
1. ABF will increase the awareness of blindness amongst Overseas Aid Agencies. In the short term ABF will provide some training to World Vision Australia staff to increase their internal awareness and knowledge of blindness and vision related issues and needs.
2. The ABF website will feature a specific page on Member’s individual overseas activities.
3. All members present committed to support the ABF Equipment Recycling Scheme and have suggested the addition of a “news alert” to enable members to co-ordinate despatch of equipment.
4. ABF to investigate either linkage with or membership of the Australian Disability and Development Consortium.
5. ABF to investigate the interest and practicality of a “sibling” scheme whereby individual ABF members partner with an Overseas Agency to assist them, for instance with skills transfer, management of other training.
6. ABF in conjunction with BCA investigate the extension and promotion of the ABF Recycling Scheme to enable individuals in Australia to contribute surplus obsolete equipment. (This may include promotion on the RPH radio network)
7. ABF investigate the copyright issues associated with donating surplus Braille to overseas countries. If allowable, this Braille is to be added to the Equipment Recycling Scheme.
8. It was agreed that members would support World Blind Union publications with articles on best practice or other initiatives occurring in Australia. In addition, ABF members will promote the existence of these publications amongst stakeholders.
The WBU and ABF websites will be reviewed to ensure that appropriate links exist.
9. It was noted during the Forum that there are a range of organisations not aligned to the ABF or other peak bodies. The members at the Forum agreed that the ABF website was available for these organisations to promote their services or seek assistance.
10. It was agreed that to improve communication between ABF members and Vision 2020 Australia, that an ABF representative would join the Vision 2020 Global Committee and provide regular updates to the ABF membership.
The ABF Board believes that each of the above actions have the potential to significantly benefit internationally and regionally people who are blind or vision impaired at very little cost. Accordingly it encourages members to “get involved” in any way they feel able.