THE EDUCATOR
Winter 1999
International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment
In my view, ICEVI should be an active agent in the further development of good theory, methods and instruments to improve permanently the education and rehabilitation of persons with visual impairment. Of course, the final goal is for all to have equal opportunity to participate fully in the economic, social and cultural life of their communities. In these efforts, ICEVI's contribution focuses primarily on professional involvement.
This focus is outlined in the ICEVI's "Policy Paper," which was adopted at our world conference in Saô Paulo. A broadly circulated questionnaire and many worthy comments laid the foundation of this paper. The full text of the "Policy Paper" can be found in this edition of The Educator.
From the "Policy Paper," Vice-President Larry Campbell and I selected targets that, in our opinion, should be realized first. We asked some people to elaborate on several matters so they can be presented in easily digestible chunks at the business meeting with the regional chairpersons, in April in Hong Kong. There the targets will be thoroughly discussed and put into implementation plans. A business meeting like this is in line with the strengthening of the regions, which is a major issue in the "Policy Paper." In my next letter I hope to tell you about the outcomes.
As I said, ICEVI aims at the enhancement of professionalism in education and the rehabilitation of all persons with visual impairment. In conjunction with the organizations of the blind and the organizations of parents, ICEVI shares the beliefs that education and rehabilitation should be of high quality and attainable to all. Within this natural trio, ICEVI distinguishes itself by actively involving professional workers in this process and by enhancing their professionalism. This should be reflected by ICEVI's programs and activities.
Going from its own identity, ICEVI is eager to cooperate with the World Blind Union and its regional unions as well as the world organizations of parents. I am convinced that close cooperation and joint activities will be fruitful, because our three identities will enable us to share expertise, knowledge, approaches and accents.
In this respect, I feel happy that my very first official activity has been my participation in the Executive Committee meeting of the World Blind Union, which was held in Morocco in October. The warm reception and the open air of feelings with respect to ICEVI indicated that our sincere wish to further develop a partnership was welcomed and willingly answered.
Neville Lawson and Johan Gerestein, secretary and
treasurer respectively, both had indicated the wish to step down last August.
Nandini Rawal from Blind Men's Association in Ahmedabad (India) has accepted
the invitation to become ICEVI's new secretary. All who had a chance to
get to know her will agree that we should be thankful that she is prepared
to succeed Neville, whose contributions as secretary, (earlier as secretary/treasurer)
and - never to forget - as an original and bright thinker, have meant a
lot to ICEVI. I hope that both the new secretary and the - still to be
found - new treasurer will introduce themselves in the next edition of
The Educator.
Best wishes for the new year!
Coen G.A. de Jong
New President ICEVI