The National Disability Forum of Solomon Islands is among other Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Pacific, are at their second day meeting yesterday in Lautoka, at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel, Fiji.
The Chief Exeutive Officer of the National Disability Forum, Mr. Casper Fa’asala, when delivering his remarks this morning looks at the future ecosystem and governance structures of OPDs both in-country and at the regional levels. He said that in order to build a truly successful and transformative disability ecosystem in the Solomon Islands that will serve as a benchmark for the Pacific region, the National Disability Forum (NDFSI) can pivot from traditional advocacy toward structural, systems-level innovation.
Mr. Fa’asala mentioned in his presentation that there is still a big gap, and therefore bridgingthe gap between key stakeholders i.e. government, international partners, CSOs, and the private sector) and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) requires moving from consultation to co-design and co-ownership. Mr. Fa’asala reminded the workshop on the need for clear strategic shifts and actionable initiatives that NDFSI will adopt to reshape the regional and national ecosystem.
Mr. Fa’asala also raised the issue on Institutionalize co-design over tokenism consultation. This means shifting from being “consulted” to co-architects”. He also suggested the need for Co-managed Inter-Ministerial Taskforces, strengthening decentralization leadership through establishment of stronger Provincial Disability Congresses in Solomon Islands. He spoke also on Institutionalize Climate and Disaster Resilience (DRR) Standards. He appreciated NDFSI’s current engagement with the Ministry of Climate, Disaster, Environment and Meteorological Services and that is more to do in terms of early weather warning system that will reach the different disability persons at the village levels.
Regional Leadership and Peer Learning (Pacific-Wide Impact)
Positioning the NDFSI as a regional pioneer by documenting successful frameworks, such as the WWF conservation inclusion guide, the FSCSI GBV protection partnership, and provincial congress models is a need, and sharing them through the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) network.
