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Mission to Macau
2 - 5 December 2006

World Federation of the Deaf Regional Meeting

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) sent a mission to participate in the 18th World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Regional Secretariat in the Asia-Pacific (RSA/P) Representative Meeting held from 3-5 December 2006 in Macau. The theme was "Sign Language Interpretation System to Realize the Full Participation and Equality of Deaf Persons in Society". The objectives were to look into issues regarding the protection and improvement of the rights of the deaf, to facilitate regional cooperation and interaction, and to explore future prospects of rehabilitation services for the deaf. The meeting was officially opened by a Representative of Macau SAR Government, Mr. Takeo Ogura of WFD RSA/P, and Ms. Clarissa U Ka Weng, President of the Macau Deaf Association. Twenty-six participants from the following 13 countries attended: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Mr. Yasunori Shinamoto, Chairman of the 3rd WFD RSA/P Deaf Youth Camp, Youth Section of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, gave a report on the 3rd WFD RSA/P Deaf Youth Camp held from 31 October – 5 November 2006 in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan with 41 participants from 14 countries. The camp's theme was "One for All, All for One" moving towards establishing a Youth Section in RSA/P region in the future. The next Deaf Youth Camp is scheduled for Indonesia in 2008. Ms. Liza Clews, Sign Language Interpreter/Trainer from Cambodia reported on the Survey on Sign Language Interpreting in the Asia-Pacific Region. The result shows developing countries of the Asia and Pacific region have a limited number of Sign Language Interpreters compared to developed countries in the same region. Each participating country reported the situation of the deaf in each country. Mr. Marku Jokinen, President of the World Federation of the Deaf, shared the contents and process of the UN Human Rights Convention on Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Marku clearly stated that "This is the 1st ever international treaty mentioning sign language and the deaf culture. This Convention is a powerful tool for all human rights". The 1st Asia-Pacific Sign Language Interpreters' (SLI) Conference organized parallel was attended by 17 participants from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. Country reports on the situation of the sign language interpreters identified Repetitive Strain Injury or Occupational Overuse Syndrome as a major problem of sign language interpreters due to overload work. Mrs. Kanitta Kamolwat, APCD Director, and Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, APCD Chief Advisor presented APCD activities to the Meeting. APCD will further collaborate with the deaf community and the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters to develop activities for the deaf and sign language interpreters.