Capacity and Pacific Disabled People’s

OrganisationsAugust 2014

Pacific Disability Forum

Presenters

Setareki MacanawaiPacific Disability Forum

Deborah Rhodes and Robyn JamesAustralia Pacific Islands Disability Support

Partner contributor

Nelly Caleb Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association (DPA)

What is capacity? Suggested principles for contributions to DPO capacity through research

2008 workshop – partnership as a contribution to capacity

PDF and APIDS research – questions, and methodology

Findings Film

Purpose and structure of session

Capability to commit and engage

Capability to carry out tasks

Capability to relate and to attract resources

Capability to adapt and self-renew

Capability to balance diversity and coherence

Source: Baser and Morgan 2006

Capacity – what is it?

Apply relevant principles: Seek to understand cultural values in each

context and their influence on capacity Build trust and mutual respect Recognise and value existing capacity Focus and build on strengths in each context

Apply principles to research in disability: Include people with disabilities as researchers Research collaboratively Research for the benefit of participants Make sure the messages are useful

How to contribute to capacity

2008 Workshop

Reflection from Nelly Caleb from Vanuatu

Capacity Development for Effective and Efficient Disabled People’s Organisations in Pacific Island Countries

◦Undertaken 2011-13

Research title

Synthesise existing research on capacity development pathways for DPOs

Provide opportunities for reflection and learning in DPOs about capacity

Identify issues affecting capacity of DPOs Develop principles and themes for DPO’s

own capacity development Identify preferred approaches for partners

who wish to contribute to DPO capacity

Research objectives

1. What capacity do DPOs consider they have already?

2. What factors influence the current capacity of DPOs?

3. What has worked well in terms of capacity development processes undertaken by DPOs themselves to date?

Research questions

4. What are DPO priorities for future organizational capacity development?

5. What are effective and preferred approaches and tools for development partners to contribute to DPO capacity?

Research Questions (2)

A literature survey ◦ which identified that no other strengths-based

research had been undertaken of DPOs internationally and little information was publicly available about the capacity of DPOs in the Pacific or elsewhere

Visits to 12 countries, which included:◦ training of researchers◦ Interviews◦ group meetings◦ planning and report-back workshops

 

Research elements

Cook IslandsTongaSamoaFijiKiribatiTuvalu

NauruVanuatuSolomon Islands

PNGFSMPalau

Participating countries

Country reports and country summaries, including case studies

Pacific wide report

Research products

Preparations before visits – identification of DPO nominated researcher

At least one researcher from PDF and APIDS spent one week in-country with DPO

First day with research team Series of workshops/interviews/meetings

with DPO members Interviews with other stakeholders Report back and planning workshop with

DPO members Drafting and revision of country report

Process for each country

DPOs’ priorities for their own capacity pathways

What DPOs would like to be able to meet their priorities

How DPOs would like their partners to contribute

Overall conclusions

Findings – in four categories

1. DPO priorities for their own capacity

Expand on commitment among people with disabilities

Strategic and action planning and ability to implement agreed plans

Opportunities to increase the practice of advocacy Stronger networks, relationships and partnerships at

local, national, regional and international levels Increased skills and confidence to use existing skills

among members and Board members Increased and reliable funding for operating costs Increased membership and access by members to

the DPO and the DPO to members

DPO capacity priorities

Expand on commitment among people with disabilities

Strategic and action planning and ability to implement agreed plans

Opportunities to increase the practice of advocacy

Stronger networks, relationships and partnerships at local, national, regional and international levels

Increased skills and confidence to use existing skills among members and Board members

Increased and reliable funding for operating costs

Increased membership and access by members to the DPO and the DPO to members

2. What DPOs would like as contributions

to their capacity

Regular sources of funding for organisational operations and projects

Technical support, on specific issues identified by each DPO,

Volunteers, who are suitably qualified to provide relevant contributions and who have the personal qualities to work respectfully and collaboratively in DPOs

Funding for establishing and implementing exchange and mentoring programs within DPOs across the region and internationally

Funding for the organisation of in-country training in local languages

Provision of funds to purchase and maintain computers, software which supports accessibility for people with disabilities and training for members in the use of such systems.

3. How development partners can contribute

to DPO capacity

DPO plans and priorities should be the driver of objectives, activities and funding

A respectful partnership approach

Flexibility should be included in all processes

Both parties need to be able to discuss and be clear about expectations

4. Overall conclusions

Increased capacity in recent years

DPO work complements other disability rights contributions

Importance of respectful DPO-Government partnerships

CRPD, among other things, is a tool for contributing to capacity

A Pacific definition of DPOs

DPO leadership is crucial

Balancing core priorities and others’ agendas

Networking and collaboration between Pacific DPOs and others

Optimism, motivation and enthusiasm – based on recognition of strengths

This is our agenda…….

Research team and participants in Luganville, Vanuatu

PDF websitehttp://

www.pacificdisability.org/Resources/Research.aspx

APIDS website http://apids.org/page11.htm

Reports available on line:

www.pacificdisability.org www.apids.org