Outline of 2004 Conference on CBR in Africa

CBR Africa Network Conference
August 31st - September 3rd 2004
Kalikuti Hotel, Lilongwe
Malawi

Download conference themes and registration forms

Background
The Ministry Responsible for Persons with Disabilities was established in 1998 to ensure disability issues; especially equal opportunities for persons with disabilities permeate society through policy formulation and disability legislation. Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is recognised and supported by the government as an effective approach to meet the diverse needs of disabled persons at the grass root level. The Ministries implementing agency Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) soon to be renamed Malawi Council of Disability Affairs (MACODA) has been carrying out CBR programmes since 1988 and has programmes running in 11 districts. Recently an evaluation has been carried out in two of the districts, with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of CBR in Malawi and later to extend CBR programmes into other districts. This evaluation was supported by The Norwegian Association of the Disabled (NAD.

In line with other national development commitments such as the Malawi Poverty Reduction Paper (MRSP) which includes a strategy for "Improving The Quality Of Life Of The Most Vulnerable" and given the increased effort by government to develop and improve Community Based Rehabilitation programmes in Malawi, this is a timely opportunity for Malawi to host this International conference "CBR as Part Of Community Development" on behalf of CBR Africa Network (CAN).

CBR Africa Network is a non-government organisation, of which the secretariat is based at the Ugandan National Institute of Special Education. CAN was established in 2001 following resolutions made at the previous CBR Africa Regional Conference, "CBR as a participatory strategy in Africa." CAN aims to facilitate the sharing of information about community-based services for persons with disabilities and their families in African countries.

The specific objectives of CAN are to:

• To collect and collate information and disability services from all African countries.
• To facilitate the development of record keeping and writing skills' culture for the purpose of documenting community initiatives and good practice.
• To facilitate the capacity of CBR workers, to communicate their experiences between themselves and with other practitioners.
• To make information on CBR services accessible in electronic and other forms.
• To organise regular forums, including regional conferences, to promote CBR as a developing field and advance the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in the community.

The Aim of the Conference is:
For International personnel involved and/or interested in CBR to examine the evidence that CBR is an integral and valuable part of community development in Africa.

The Objectives of the Conference are:

• To strengthen the recognition of CBR as a successful strategy within community development.
• To publish evidence of good CBR practice as part of community development.
• To provide an opportunity for People to share ideas, knowledge and experiences of CBR as part of community development in Africa.

Conference Format:
The conference will take place over 3 days. The sub themes will be presented by key speakers and followed by 2 key respondents. Some time will be given to participant discussion. There will also be a poster presentation session as well as display tables for participants to bring and display examples of any products or materials they have developed.

The Venue:
The conference will take place at Kalikuti Hotel In Lilongwe along the Blantyre Road at Biwi triangle opposite Lilongwe Technical College in Malawi.

Accommodation:
Will be at local hotels. Hotel rates per night are within the ranges of:
Capital Hotel: 178 U.S$ Phone: (+265) 1773388
Lilongwe Hotel: 178 U.S$ (+265) 1756333
Sun Bird Lingadzi Inn: 68 U.S$ (+265) 1754166
Kalikuti Hotel: 54 U.S$ (+265) 1725998
Riverside Hotel: 37 U.S$ (+265) 1750511

Registration:
Participants will be expected to pay a registration fee:
Malawian Participants $35 before June 30th / $40 after June 30th
Other African Participants $45 before June 30th / $55 after June 30th
Personal Assistants accompanying participants $15
All other participants $70 before June 30th / $80 after June 30th.
Daily registration is $15 for Malawians and $20 for others.
All registration fees must be paid by July 20th to secure a place at the conference.

Travel:
Participants will be expected to meet their travel expenses to and from Lilongwe International airport in Malawi including airport tax that is $30. Internal travel arrangements to and from Lilongwe International airport will be organised by the conference as well as any field or social trips that are included in the conference programme.

Visas:
These are obtained from the nearest Malawian Embassy

Insurance:
Participants shall make their own arrangements.

Currency:
The currency is Malawi Kwacha (MK) Foreign exchange at the time of writing is about 106 kwacha to the U.S $ or 180 Kwacha to the Pound sterling.

Participation:
Key speakers and respondents will be by invitation only but if anyone is very keen to be a keynote speaker on a particular sub-theme, please indicate on the registration form with a 1 page abstract of your presentation and an explanation of why you should be selected.

All persons interested in presenting a poster on a sub-theme should indicate their interest on the registration form and submit no more than a 1 page, A4 size abstract explaining the poster presentation.

Please also indicate if you would like to have a display table and explain what you will be displaying.

Estimated cost of the conference:
4 nights accommodation at Kalikuti at 54 US$ = 216 US$
Registration 45 US$ = 45 US$
Total = 261 US$
This does not include transport/flights to Malawi Please find out cost from your nearest travel agency.

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