To all Delegates, Honorary Life Members and Friends of the World Blind Union-Asia Pacific (WBUAP):
Dear All,
CIRCULAR MAY 2014
Greetings to you from your Board and Policy Council (BPC), and we hope this circular finds you in good health and high spirit.
Here are some information we want to share with you, and some requests for which we are asking for your co-operation:
1. The WBUAP Mid-Term Regional General Assembly (MRGA):
As you may know, this is one of the biggest events in the calendar of WBUAP, and we are very grateful to Mr. Chong Chan-Yau, President, and the Hong Kong Blind Union (HKBU) for offering to host it. The MRGA will be held from 21 – 24 November 2014 at the Hong Kong Cyberport 3 with the theme: “Make the Right Real in the 3rd Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022. Some of the events taking place will be: the Youth Forum, the Women’s Forum, ICT Symposium on E-Accessibility, Symposium on the Right to Read, Workshops on the UN CRPD, Employment and Social Enterprise, and on Fund-Raising. There will be Exhibition on Assistive Aids.
November is the start of the holiday season in Hong Kong and many tourists will be flocking to the island. Please register early to ensure you have hotel accommodation of your choice. For more information visit the official website www.wbuapga 2014.org or email to enquiry@wbuapga 2014.org.
2. Country Reports:
One of the main highlights of the MRGA is the presentation of Country Reports. Realising this, your BPC will make more time available for questions and answers. Please start preparing your reports but make it brief and informative on your achievements, successes and challenges. Send your reports by the electronic format to the Secretary General at least 60 days before the Assembly for circulation.
3. Revision of the Constitution:
As informed to you last year, your BPC is revising the Constitution and will be presenting it at the MRGA. We are inviting you to join in the exercise by submitting your amendments and suggestions to reach the Secretary General by the end of July. We will collate your amendments into one document to be circulated 45 days before the Assembly. You can access the Constitution on the website wbuap.org.
4. The Silent Auction:
In an effort to raise some funds for WBUAP to carry out more activities, Dr. Kevin Murfitt, Treasurer and Chair of the Committee on Resource Generation, will be organising a Silent Auction during the Gala Dinner at the MRGA. He is requesting all delegates and members to bring along items of cultural significance (useful or decorative) and donate them to WBUAP. Someone at the auction table will record your bid, and the highest bidder will get the item at the cut-off time. Do help to make this event a success. If you have ideas to help WBUAP get more funds, do please pass them on to us.
5. Call for Proposals from Youth:
Fantastic opportunity you must not miss! The MRGA Organising Committee is inviting youth from the region to participate in the WBUAP Youth Forum to be held on 21 November. besides having guest speakers, there will be presentations of the outstanding projects proposed by the youth and a round-table discussion to brainstorm for recommendations to WBUAP and governments in the region to promote equal opportunity and the building of an Inclusive Society. This is a forum to exchange and share innovative ideas and dreams, and a platform to link up the projects with potential funders. Writers of 30 outstanding proposals will be sponsored to participate in the MRGA. Hurry! The closing date is before 6 July. For more information, visit the website wbuap.org.
6. The Onkyo World Braille Essay Contest 2014:
Please be reminded that the closing date for the WBUAP Onkyo Selection Committee to receive the best five entries from each country is 30 June. Visit wbuap.org for the details.
7. Delegates’ Information Update:
It will be very much appreciated if you will kindly update the information of your delegates and have it sent to the Secretary General without delay. The details needed are: Names of delegates, designation, organisations they belong to, address, phone numbers and emails.
8. Closing Date for Receiving Proposals and Resolutions:
All proposals and resolutions to be tabled should reach the Secretary General at least 60 days before the MRGA. We appeal to you to send them to us before mid-September.
Please help to circulate this information to as many persons as possible, and encourage them to attend the MRGA – our great event of the year.
Thank you.
With best wishes,
(Ivan Ho Tuck Choy),
Secretary General,
World Blind Union-Asia Pacific.