Regional Reports

  • The Fiji National Parent Workshop was held on 27 – 30 July 2009. It was held at the Fiji Society for the Blind, Nanuku Street, Vatuwaqa, Suva and the discussion was about “Awareness Creation on Education”. Download a summary of the Fiji National Parent Workshop in:
    PDF format | Word format
  • The Pacific Regional Disability Conference 2009 paper presents an overview of the EFA-VI initiatives in the Pacific region during 2008. These initiatives are based upon regional priorities identified at the ICEVI Pacific Forum in Perth, Western Australia in January 2007. Read the Pacific Regional Disability Conference 2009 paper.
    Photo 1 from the Pacific Regional Disability Conference 2009 in VanuatuPhoto 2 from the Pacific Regional Disability Conference 2009 in Vanuatu
    Photos from the Pacific Regional Disability Conference 2009 in Vanuatu
  • Unified English Braille: A Concept Paper for Pacific Island Nations briefly discusses Unified English Braille, focussing on its relevance for the education of blind children in Pacific Island countries. Recognising the fundamental role of braille for literacy acquisition and development, the pivotal role of braille in the successful implementation of the EFA-VI global campaign, and the historical factors that shape the environment for braille in Pacific Island countries, the paper offers recommendations to guide progress over the next few years to achieve the required increase in the availability of braille in the Pacific. Read the Unified English Braille: A Concept Paper.
  • The Education for All Children with Vision Impairments (EFA-VI) National Plan for Fiji (2009-2011) was produced through a process of collaboration with Fijian and Pacific regional government and non-government organisations and support groups that provide education, health and rehabilitation services for children and youth with disabilities, including those with vision impairments. The recommendations presented in this draft of the National Plan reflect the collective contributions of members of the Fiji EFA-VI Forum, held in Suva Fiji, 6-8 October 2008. Read the EFA-VI National Plan for Fiji (2009-2011) in Word format and the EFA-VI National Plan for Fiji (2009-2011) in PDF format.
  • The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), in partnership with the World Blind Union (WBU), launched the “Education for All Children with Visual Impairment” (EFA-VI) global campaign at the ICEVI 12th World Conference in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in July 2006. The campaign’s goal is “to ensure that all girls and boys with blindness and low vision enjoy the right to education” (ICEVI, 2008). The campaign is endorsed by UNESCO and UNICEF, and is closely aligned with the United Nations “Education for All” (EFA) global campaign, which addresses the rights of children to education. Click here to read the 2008 ICEVI Pacific report.
  • Report on VSB Conference, Hanover Germany July 14 – 18th 2008. XXXIV Kongress “Teilhabe Gestalten” The conference title translates roughly into providing skills for participation and community involvement. Gayle Skinner attended the conference as the President of the Australian Association for Parents of the Vision Impaired. This was at the invitation of Susan LaVenture – Executive Director of NAPVI (America) and Dr Elke Wagner (conference organizing committee member). Click here to read the VSB Conference report.
  • ICEVI EFA-VI Pacific Forum, Perth, 5-6 January 2007. Approximately 40 leaders in the fields of vision impairment and education from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Region were in attendance. Funding for several of the Pacific island delegates was provided by AusAid to attend the ICEVI Forum and also the SPEVI Biennial Conference in Fremantle, WA, 7-12 Jan 2007.
  • Presentation on ICEVI and EFA-VI campaign at the WBU Asia Pacific Regional Assembly, Shen Zhen, China, March07. Mr James Aiwa of the University of Goroka, PNG, represented the ICEVI Pacific Committee at this Assembly. Click here to read the Shenzhen meeting report
  • Presentation on ICEVI and EFA-VI campaign at the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Annual General Meeting, Fiji, 26-27 March 07. The CEO of the PDF, Mr Setareki Macanawai, is a member of the ICEVI Pacific Committee. The PDF AGM was attended by representatives of organisations serving people with disabilities from across the Pacific. ICEVI has become member of PDF.
  • Presentation on ICEVI and EFA-VI campaign at the ESCAP Pacific Expert Group Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework, Fiji, 28-30 March 07. The Expert Group meeting culminated in the development of a paper from the Pacific Region, that was tabled at the UNESCO Bangkok High-level intergovernmental meeting in September 2007. Click here to read the Biwako meeting report
  • Presentation on the EFA-VI Pacific campaign at the World Blind Union Asia-Pacific Board Meeting, Melbourne, 27 July 07. Discussion included the establishment of close ICEVI-WBU partnerships in the Pacific region, and the establishment of WBU EFA-VI subcommittees globally, with ICEVI representation on these committees.
  • Presentation on ICEVI and the EFA-VI campaign at the "Advancing inclusive education in the Pacific" workshop in Nadi, Fiji, 1-5 October 2007. The Inclusive Education workshop was supported by the Fiji Government, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), PREL (Pacific Resources for Education and Learning), the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the PRIDE Project, UNICEF, UNESCO and SPBEA. Click here to read the Advancing Inclusive Education report
  • Workshop for parents of children with vision impairments, hosted by the Fiji Society for the Blind, Suva, Fiji, 1-5 October 07. The workshop was coordinated by Ms Vilisi Salabavisi of the Fiji Society for the Blind. Planning, supported by Frances Gentle (ICEVI Pacific), Paul Manning (Parents of Vision Impaired NZ - PVI) and Gayle Skinner (Australian Association of Parents of Vision Impaired – AAPVI). The purpose of the workshop was to establish an organisation of parents in Fiji. AusAid and ICEVI sponsored the involvement of Gayle, Paul and Frances in this important project. Click here to read the Parent Workshop report
  • Visit by Larry Campbell (ICEVI President) and Dr Mani (ICEVI Secretary General) to RIDBC Sydney, 18-21 September 07, to attend meetings of the Host Committee of the 13th World Conference in 2010. Planning is currently underway to establish a venue and date for the 2010 conference.

Download ICEVI Pacific activities 2007
PDF format | Word format

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