Forum Sec Employs Disability Coordination Officer
Forum Disability Officer
41/06
PRESS STATEMENT
8th August 2006
FORUM SECRETARIAT EMPLOYS DISABILITY COORDINATION OFFICER
The issues of people with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries are to get a better hearing with the employment, for the first time, of a Disability Coordination Officer at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
The Officer will focus on strengthening the capacity of governments and non-government organizations in Forum Island Countries to integrate disability into development programmes, bearing in mind that disability is a rights-based issue, Peter Forau, Acting Secretary General said.
We are indeed very fortunate to get an experienced person, for this position, someone who actually knows what it is like to live with a disability, Mr Forau said.
The first ever Forum Disability Coordination Officer is Fredrick Miller from Fiji. He holds a Master of Health Science and Inclusive Education from the Deakin University in Australia. He taught at the Cathedral Secondary School in Suva for seventeen years and was Principal of Champagnat Institute. He has also worked as a volunteer to advance issues facing people with disabilities in the Asia Pacific region.
The position is very exciting in the sense that it takes disability development in terms of policy and legislation in the Pacific to another level. I am also challenged to see a more coordinated effort of all stakeholders with regard to international agreements on disability, Mr Miller said.
Ends.
For more information, please contact, Ms Helen Tavola on phone (679) 331 2600.
41/06
PRESS STATEMENT
8th August 2006
FORUM SECRETARIAT EMPLOYS DISABILITY COORDINATION OFFICER
The issues of people with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries are to get a better hearing with the employment, for the first time, of a Disability Coordination Officer at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
The Officer will focus on strengthening the capacity of governments and non-government organizations in Forum Island Countries to integrate disability into development programmes, bearing in mind that disability is a rights-based issue, Peter Forau, Acting Secretary General said.
We are indeed very fortunate to get an experienced person, for this position, someone who actually knows what it is like to live with a disability, Mr Forau said.
The first ever Forum Disability Coordination Officer is Fredrick Miller from Fiji. He holds a Master of Health Science and Inclusive Education from the Deakin University in Australia. He taught at the Cathedral Secondary School in Suva for seventeen years and was Principal of Champagnat Institute. He has also worked as a volunteer to advance issues facing people with disabilities in the Asia Pacific region.
The position is very exciting in the sense that it takes disability development in terms of policy and legislation in the Pacific to another level. I am also challenged to see a more coordinated effort of all stakeholders with regard to international agreements on disability, Mr Miller said.
Ends.
For more information, please contact, Ms Helen Tavola on phone (679) 331 2600.
