Invitation to International Conference on Community Integration, Vietnam, December
I am writing you from Hanoi to invite you to Campaign 2001 to promote the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002. It will be held in Hanoi, Viet Nam from 10 - 15 December 2001. I am writing to ask your support and involvement in expanding the disability rights movement in Viet Nam and the rest of the Asia and Pacific Region.
Viet Nam is honored to host Campaign 2001, the 9th policy and technical assistance conference of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. The theme is to "Facilitate Community Integration of People with Disabilities." The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) is the coordinating agency, working closely with co-organizers, the Regional NGO Network (RNN), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and my employer Viet Nam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH).
As many as 1,500 government officials, rehabilitation professionals, international NGO representatives, and people with disabilities from the Asia-Pacific Region are expected to attend. Conference offerings include a series of cultural and artistic events and athletic demonstrations by and for the attendees. Plenary sessions and workshops focusing on eleven critical areas of programming, ranging from access to education, employment, the built environment, adequate health care, assistive technology devices and more, will result in a plan of action for citizens with disabilities from Viet Nam and throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. A major exhibition hall is also planned.
Campaign 2001 will empower Vietnamese with disabilities, increase public awareness of their capabilities, and build momentum for increased services and opportunities from government and the business sector. It is our goal to support 500 people with disabilities from Vietnam in the full program of the Campaign. These individuals will be the future leaders of an empowered disability community here. Hundreds people with disabilities from other countries in the region are also expected to attend.
The main reason I invite you is to help empower people with disabilities into the mainstream of Vietnamese culture. We have been doing this important work in cooperation with the Government and Vietnamese disability community. Your presence here can help expand and accelerate that work.
I invite all of you to Viet Nam for Campaign 2001. Come to learn and come to teach. I promise you it will be a good time. A great program is being planned by MOLISA, ESCAP, RNN and VNAH. Besides the policy work, it includes fun cultural events, good food and entertainment, field trips, and a tourism opportunity at Ha Long Bay. It offers an opportunity to interact with leaders in the disability rights movement from throughout the Asia-Pacific region. For more information and to register on-line, visit the Campaign 2001 web-site: www.campaign2001.fpt.vn. The Campaign e-mail address is Campaign2001@fpt.vn.
Hanoi is a marvelous city with much to do and see. There are beautiful parks, fine restaurants, congenial watering-holes (bia hois), and incredible culture. Hanoians are friendly and hospitable people. Hanoi is a safe and exciting city; you will love it.
Please come and join us in making a difference.
I look forward to seeing you in December in Hanoi.
Sincerely,
John A. Lancaster
Director
Viet Nam Assistance for the Handicapped
Office of Disability Technical Assistance
4th Floor
131 Bui Thi Xuan
Hanoi, Viet Nam
84-4-978-3551/2
84-4-978-3553 (fax)
odta@hn.vnn.vn
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