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Social Affairs Ministry showcases real steps at AHLF
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Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini opens the ASEAN High-Level Forum on Enabling Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership Beyond 2025 at the Hotel Four Points Makassar on Oct. 10.
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ocial Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini has said Indonesia has recorded various achievements in respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities, with the government taking concrete steps by preparing a regulatory framework and programs that address the needs of people with disabilities.
The minister outlined the government’s initiative and progress at the opening session of the ASEAN High-Level Forum (AHLF) on Disability Inclusive Development and Partnership Beyond 2025 in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday (10/10).
Present at the event were 13 country representatives consisting of nine ASEAN member countries, one observer country (Timor-Leste) and three ASEAN Partner countries, namely the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
In her statement, Risma added that the disability inclusion approach was contained in the National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities. The government has outlined a strategy to fulfill the rights of persons with disabilities in various sectors, such as health, employment, education, civil rights, rights to equality before the law and social welfare rights.
As a crucial platform for discussions about empowering and including persons with disabilities in the ASEAN community, the AHLF was attended by ministers and senior ASEAN officials responsible for social welfare and development from related sectoral bodies, ASEAN affiliated entities and partners.
The AHLF aligns with the 2021-2025 Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) Work Plan and aims to address the challenges of disability-inclusive development in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. It also assesses progress in integrating people with disabilities into the ASEAN community and promotes future cooperation and inclusive policies.
The key objectives of the forum include accelerating the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Master Plan 2025 and emphasizing the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities across the three ASEAN Pillars.
In addition, the AHLF seeks to strengthen inclusive development and partnerships for people with disabilities, while also empowering individuals with disabilities in entrepreneurship, recovery and resilience building.
Lastly, the forum hopes to contribute to the formulation of a more robust narrative of inclusion for persons with disabilities in the post-2025 vision of ASEAN society.
Officiating the forum’s opening, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini highlighted the AHLF’s significance in strengthening the partnership between Indonesia and ASEAN nations.
Risma further noted her excitement for Indonesia’s hosting of the AHLF, saying she wished to showcase the possibilities of what could happen by paying attention to the disabled community and allowing them to move forward, even beyond social assistance.
“We also hope to campaign about accessibility and education for our brothers and sisters and children with disabilities.”
One of the key features of the AHLF will be a series of presentations, including one by Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Sukhri, chair of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD), which plays a pivotal role in shaping policies related to community welfare and social development across ASEAN member states.
Additionally, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn and other prominent figures from various ASEAN countries will share their insights and perspectives during the forum, while the ASEAN-US Dialogue aims to strengthen commitments to governance and the implementation of measures that protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
Alongside meetings and discussions, the AHLF will feature an exhibition of assistive technology and accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including innovative solutions such as Tune Map, adaptive sticks, and Difalink. The Ministry of Social Affairs are also on hand to present devices like Gelang Tuna Rungu dan Wicara (GRUWI) and Gelang Tuna Grahita (GRITA) bracelets, with the former featuring a motion sensor and emergency button while the latter comes equipped with heart rate sensors as well as an emergency alarm to alert others nearby.
Meanwhile, the forum also features a disability arts festival to promote and raise awareness about artwork made by people with disabilities to foster inclusion, along with a showcase of disability entrepreneurship products from various sectors.
Notably, the AHLF serves as an opportunity to promote local tourism and the unique beauty of South Sulawesi to delegates from ASEAN countries. Participants will have the chance to explore various destinations around Makassar, including the historic Fort Rotterdam and the ancient Leang-Leang Archaeological Park in Maros regency.
When asked about the choice of Makassar as the host city, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini said the government wanted to choose a location to highlight the cultures of Indonesia.
“Secondly, what I want to introduce is that there are many beautiful scenic spots in Indonesia. But Makassar is unique. They have a heritage that, in my opinion, we should start introducing to the world because it's very interesting. It's related to civilization. Many people actually want to know about it, but the richness of civilization in South Sulawesi has never been explored publicly,” she said.
