News – Pacific Disability Forum Mock Site

Strategic Plan : 2021 – 2025

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:56:36 +0000

PDF launches its new Strategic Plan, that will guide its dircection, the new and continued journey for the next 5 years. The advocacy from recognition to realisation of rights has been branded as ‘Partnerships towards an inclusive and resilient Pacific 2030.

PDF Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Setareki Macanawai receives Presidential medal

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 10:10:24 +0000

PDF Congratulates Forum Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Setareki Macanawai for receiving the Presidential medal as part of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.

Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Appoints Director Operations

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 01:04:14 +0000

The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) has recently appointed Ms. Laisa Vereti as its Director Operations.

“PDF welcomes Laisa to this very senior management role and are delighted to have her take up the position with her vast experience in program coordination, research, policy, capacity building, lobbying, resource/project management and research on a regional and international setting.”, said PDF CEO, Mr. Setareki Macanawai

“The Director Operations is a critical position in PDF, and I am confident that Laisa will not only add much value to the role but will be instrumental in driving PDF to meet its strategic goals as we move into the new phase of the organisation guided by the PDF strategic plan 2021-2025”, added Mr. Macanawai

Prior to this appointment, Laisa was the Manager Planning, Policy and Advocacy for the PDF where she primarily managed PDF programs, led the facilitation of the Strategic Plan and managed PDF’s annual budget. In addition, she has extensive experience in Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and disability inclusion to mainstream development programs and policy.

Laisa’s achievements include, leading the work at PDF on the legal harmonisation with UNESCAP, disability disaggregated data with UNICEF and SPC.

“I am excited about the challenges ahead and my ability to add value both in operational and strategic capacity”, said Laisa. She hopes to use her over 10 years’ working at regional and international level to further the work of the Pacific Disability Forum.

In her new role, she is responsible for providing oversight of all programmes including emergency response, gender, youth, DPO and inclusive development, policy, research and finance and corporate services for the Pacific Disability Forum.

INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 01:02:38 +0000

The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) for the first time is celebrating International Albinism Awareness Day to raise awareness on persons with albinism and the issues they face in their everyday life. On December 18, 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day which confirmed the global focus on albinism advocacy. With this year’s theme, “Made to Shine”, PDF wishes to salute and acknowledge persons with albinism on their contribution to society despite the various types of discrimination they face. In the Pacific, it is believed that one in seven hundred is persons with albinism.

Albinism affects the skin, hair and eyes forcing persons with the condition to have vision problems, with their skin vulnerable when directly or indirectly exposed to the sun. This leads to sunburn and may transform into skin cancer. PDF Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Setareki Macanawai says that, persons with albinism when facing an inaccessible environment and negative attitude from those around them greatly impact and hinders their full and effective participation in society and prevents them from utilizing their abilities and potentials.

PDF is standing in solidarity with Pacific people with albinism and all those with the condition through their challenges. Mr. Macanawai added that, “while the world is going through unprecedented time, people with albinism continue to face all types of human rights violations which included challenges in accessing quality healthcare services during this pandemic, accessing sunscreen due to availability, accessibility and affordability and other non-pharmaceutical intervention.”

An information-sharing session on albinism will be held at the Pacific Disability Forum for its staff at 9:00 am tomorrow morning where you can join us live on our PDF Facebook Page

For more information, you may contact Mr. Soloveni Vitoso; Pacific Disability Forum – infor@pacificdisability.org

Pacific Disability Forum Governing Board Convenes Its Annual Meeting Virtually

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 00:50:15 +0000

With the successful completion of the 2020 Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Board election last month, the PDF governing Board begins its annual series of meetings today, Monday, 03 August 2020. This will be spread over four days ending on Thursday, 06 August 2020.

This event is held annually and attended by the members of the PDF governing Board in-person in Fiji. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and like most other regional and international meetings, this meeting is being conducted virtually over the next four days; thanks to Zoom and internet connectivity.

The PDF CEO, Mr. Setareki Macanawai served as Returning Officer for the PDF Board election and together with Ms. Rose Wilkinson, CEO of Blind Citizens New Zealand, they constituted the election Scrutineer Committee. “WE are delighted to share with you the outcome of the 2020 Board election” stated Mr. Macanawai.

Co-Chairperson (Female) – Ms. Villaney Remengesau, Omekesang, Palau
Board Member – Ms. Samantha French, PWD Australia
Board Member – Ms. Melita Delaibau, Fiji Association of the Deaf
Board Member – Mr. Ofeina Leka, Tonga National Visual Impairment Association
Board Member – Mr. Teweiariki Teaero, Te Toa Matoa, Kiribati

Congratulatory messages were sent to the above individuals for taking up their positions in the PDF Board effective from August 2020. The Scrutineer Committee also thanked all voting delegates for exercising their constitutional duty in electing the female Co-Chairperson and four Board Member positions identified above. They will join the following serving members of the Board whose positions will be open for election in 2021:

Co-Chairperson (Male) – Mr. Latoa Halatau-Talagi, Vision Pacific Charitable Trust, New Zealand
Board Member – Ms. Mataafa Faatino Utumapu, Nuanua o le Alofa, Samoa
Board Member – Mr Mataiti Mataiti, Cook Islands National Disability Council
Board Member – Ms Jacqueline Garoau, Papua New Guinea Assembly of Persons with Disabilities

Pacific Disability Forum has 5 women and 4 men in its 9 member governing Board who are all persons with disabilities, representing the following 9 countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga. Apart from attending to organisational business matters, the PDF governing Board will also discuss over these four days partnership and working relationship with several key partners such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Government of Australia; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of New Zealand; CBM Australia and CBM New Zealand as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.