Social Development Officer Completes Online Course to Enhance Social Participation and Livelihoods of Persons with Disabilities

Orita Faagu Asi from Samoa’s Social Development Division under the MWCSD is the successful graduate of JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Program Training on “Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities through a Community-Based Inclusive Approach”

The World Report on Disability, issued by the World Bank and World Health Organisation in 2011, identifies “less economic participation” as one of the areas which affects the lives of persons of disabilities.

As reported, “A recent study from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that in 27 countries working-age persons with disabilities experienced significant labor market disadvantage and worse labor market outcomes than working-age persons without disabilities.”

The Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, for the new Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013–2022, includes a goal to reduce poverty and enhance work and employment prospects.

JICA, with the goal to promote the participation and livelihood of persons with disabilities in their communities around the World, moved to offer it’s support.

Based on the Convention as well as the World Report and other frameworks, JICA Okinawa Center initiated a training program aiming to promote the social participation and livelihood of persons with disabilities by utilising local resources and networking systems among the national and local governments, NGOs, private enterprises and organisations of persons with disabilities in Japan.

Designed for those who are in charge of promoting the social participation and livelihood of persons with disabilities in Governments, NGOs and Private Sector, the training was well attended by representatives from Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Tajikistan and Samoa.

Representing Samoa was Ms. Orita Faagu Asi from the Social Development Division under the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. Ms. Orita successfully completed the online program held from November 1 to December 13, 2022.

This training helps participants develop plans/strategies and initiate new ways to promote the social participation of persons with disabilities through livelihood, independent living and other support programs.

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