MALAYSIA TO HOST FIRST CBR ASIA PACIFIC CONVENTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -— More than 450 people from 26 countries are
scheduled to attend the first Asia Pacific Convention on Community-Based
Rehabilitation (CBR) here for two days from Nov 13.

Among the countries sending representatives to the meeting are Afghanistan,
Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan and Singapore.

The objective of the convention is to introduce step-by-step guidelines to
assist organisations to implement CBR programmes so as to ensure effective
delivery of services to the needy and introduce good evidence-based practices
among those involved with such projects.

The organising chairman, Noor Yasmin Abdul Karim, who is also the chairman of
the Asia Pacific CBR Network, told Bernama that CBR was to help those with
disabilities by establishing community-based programmes for social integration
and providing equal opportunities for the disabled to lead a normal life.

She said the programme was so designed to facilitate implementation in rural
areas with limited infrastructure resources because it could be carried out with
the help of the family and the community and with appropriate professional
assistance.

Among the highlights of the convention is a paper to be presented by the
Malaysian Social Security Organisation (Sosco) detailing its responsibility as a
social organisation vis-a-vis the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities.

Noor Yasmin said Malaysia would gain much from the convention as it would
provide a great opportunity for its CBR practitioners to build their network
among fellow Asian participants and share and exchange knowledge on the latest
rehabilitation trends.
-- BERNAMA