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ICEVI – Moving Forward

Friends,

I am extremely happy to have assumed my new responsibility as the Secretary General of ICEVI.  Since the memorable world conference held at the Netherlands, more promising things have happened. 

Soon after the conference, the President Larry Campbell and I sent out “thank you” letters to all participants of the world conference. Many have responded by telling us of their desire to remain involved with ICEVI and to work with us in achieving our goal of education for all by 2015.  This is the kind of interaction we need to expand educational access to persons with visual impairment around the world.  We also wrote to leading Non-Governmental Development Organisations (NGDOs); thanked them for their support and sought their assistance to strengthen ICEVI activities at the regional level.   We shared with them the Needs Assessment Questionnaire being used to prioritize the needs of the regions.  ICEVI will be working closely with the NGDOs at every level in the implementation of the Strategic Plan thereby increasing the services for persons with visual impairment.   

By now I hope you are all aware of the Drs Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation Grant that was launched at our World Conference in the Netherlands.  Our Regional Chairs from Africa, East Asia, Latin America and West Asia are working hard to finalise proposals in the areas of creating awareness about the capabilities of children with visual impairment, capacity building of teachers, and developing innovative models. The Regional Chairs will be finalizing their proposals before November 2002 and we hope to have programs underway in early 2003. 

The website of ICEVI is being updated and given a new look.   Our webmaster is working very hard to keep it informative and attractive.  Please look at the pictures of the world conference and the proceedings which are now on the website.  The history of ICEVI has also been posted on the website.  The number of visitors to the website is increasing day-by-day. We ask our members and others who regularly visit the website to send suggestions for new content and links to other websites that may be of interest to your colleagues around the world.  

Strengthening the publications of ICEVI is another important item on our agenda.  The strategic plan released during the world conference has been disseminated to organizations and individuals all over the world.  It is also available in Braille.  We think you will find the Spring 2002 issue of the Educator more attractive and informative.  Manufacturers of assistive devices around the world have been asked to advertise their products through The Educator for the benefit of the consumers.   

A CD highlighting the activities of ICEVI is being prepared and will be available upon request from the ICEVI Secretariat by the end of 2002.

I attended the 13th world congress of the Inclusion International, Melbourne from 22 to 26 September 2002.  I shared with the President elect Dr. Diane Richler, the strategic plan of ICEVI.  As both organizations are working for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, there are a lot of things to share in common, particularly in terms of influencing legislation, working with local Governments, etc.

Bill Brohier and I will also be attending the Osaka Forum and the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Organisations in Otsu City in October 2002.  I will be making a presentation of ICEVI at the Asian Blind Summit to be held at Osaka from 19 to 20 October 2002.  The Osaka meetings serve as an excellent platform for sharing the vision of ICEVI with colleagues from throughout the Asia Pacific region.

ICEVI is now officially registered in the United Kingdom thanks to the help of Colin Low and John Walls. 

The Principal Officers of ICEVI will be meeting in Hong Kong in November to discuss and develop plans to build upon the positive momentum that was generated at the World Conference in the Netherlands.   

Mani, M.N.G.

Secretary General

 
 

For further details, please contact :

            Dr. M.N.G. Mani

            Secretary General

             IHRDC Campus, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya,

             Coimbatore - 641 020, INDIA

             Phone  :  91-422-697530, 693414      Fax  :  91-422-692353

e-mail     :  secretary-general@icevi.org    


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