Introducing... the Programme Advisory Group

The primary function of the Programme Advisory Group (PAG) is to provide strategic direction and critical advice on policy issues associated with the Disability KaR Programme and maintain the quality and rigour of all the activities and outputs, as well as ensuring that the programme is at the cutting edge of policy development.

This involves four main roles:

• Approval of the overall strategic direction of the programme, and of significant changes to its aims and objectives.
• Assistance as required in reviewing management reports and peer review papers.
• Ensuring that outputs reflect the needs of disabled people in the South and have the backing of disabled people, particularly those living in the South.
• Monitoring of programme implementation and provision of quality assurance.

The process to appoint members is ongoing, and it is proposed that the full PAG will consist of:

• Two disabled people from the South (one Activist and one Technical Advisor; see below)
• Two disabled people from the UK (one Activist and one Technical Advisor)
• A senior person from DFID who is involved with the KaR Programme
• One member of an NGO working in the field of disability and development.
• A committed senior academic, with a development studies background.
  

Below are profiles of two of the members, who describe their hopes for the PAG.

'AK' Dube

Disabled himself from the age of two years, new Programme Advisory Group (PAG) member Andrew "AK" Dube (pictured) has proved disability does not mean inability by establishing a successful consulting business, Samaita Associates, that has assisted governments, disabled people's organisations, and other organisations in and outside South Africa. He has more than 16 years' experience in fields that include human rights and development work in the disability sector.

"For me," says AK, "being a member of the PAG presents an opportunity to ensure that issues related to disability in the South are adequately articulated, using my experience of working with the disability movement in Africa. We, as the PAG, have an opportunity to positively influence research agenda, knowledge generation and bilateral funding policy in favour of disabled people in the South."

AK feels that the Disability KaR Programme has a very useful role to play in supporting disability and human rights initiatives in the South. He believes that the active involvement of Southern disabled activists and technical expertise is crucial to the programme's success. "Such success should be determined on the basis of actionable, sustainable and relevant outcomes that enhance and improve the quality of life of ordinary disabled people in the South," he adds.

AK has just completed various assignments on behalf of the Africa Decade of Disabled People Secretariat. Other involvements include a key role in the establishment and strengthening of disabled people's organisations in the Southern African Development Community countries, and giving input to South Africa's Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS).

Contact AK Dube at: akdube@iafrica.com

Setareki Seru Macanawai

Setareki Seru Macanawai is Head Teacher of the Fiji School for the Blind and will soon assume his new position as Executive Director of the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons. He has been blind since 1981, and advocating for the fair treatment, greater recognition, equal opportunity and better quality of life for disabled people in Fiji and the Pacific Islands since 1989, serving in national, regional and international disability organisations.

As a new member of the Disability KaR Programme Advisory Group, he acknowledges the necessity to include capable representatives of disabled peoples' organisations from the South in the programme. "It is an honour for me to serve as a member of PAG and I will draw on my experience, knowledge, network and skills to ensure that the voice, concerns and aspirations of disabled persons in developing countries are accurately expressed and properly reflected." Setareki also agrees that representatives of disabled peoples' organisations from the North have an important role to play in the PAG.

Among Setareki's achievements are his contribution to the establishment of national DPOs in Vanuatu, PNG, Cook Islands, Samoa and Kiribati. In 2002 he received the 6th Kazuo Itoga award in Japan for outstanding leadership and contribution to the disability field in the Asia/Pacific Region.

Setareki believes his experience has given him a better understanding of different disability issues and how they can be addressed, enabling him to become an effective advocate for disabled people.

He concludes: "Hopefully I will become a good role model, showing disabled people they can rise above their disabling conditions and live a successful, prosperous and dignified life just like anyone else."

Contact Setareki Macanawai at: macanawai@connect.com.fj