On 3 December 2016, which is observed around the world as the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Friendly Design for All Foundation and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), organized a seminar titled “ASEAN…An Inclusive and Accessible Community” at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani. The event aimed at promoting knowledge and raising awareness about ASEAN’s work regarding persons with disabilities and ageing population, and was part of Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2016.

          Contributing panelists included Ms. Phasporn Sangasubana, Deputy Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs; Dr. Seree Nonthasoot, Thai Representative in ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights; Ms. Wantanee Phantachat, from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA); and Mr. Christopher Benjakul, from the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD); with Ms. Urawadee Sriphiromya, Director of Social and Cultural Division, Department of ASEAN Affairs, as the moderator.

          The Deputy Director General emphasized that with the ASEAN Vision 2025, the ASEAN Community aspired to be a more inclusive community. This would entail the promotion of equitable access to opportunities and the promotion as well as the protection of human rights for all peoples of ASEAN including the elderly and persons with disabilities. In 2011, Thailand successfully pushed for the signing of “Bali Declaration on the Enhancement of the Role and Participation of the Persons with Disabilities in ASEAN Community” by leaders of all ASEAN Member States. The said declaration proclaims the years 2011-2020 the ASEAN Decade of Persons with Disabilities, promoting disability-inclusive development within ASEAN. In this regard, Dr. Nonthasoot called for ASEAN not to place issues concerning persons with disabilities only under the umbrella of Social and Cultural Community, but Political and Security as well as Economic Communities, in order for these issues to be fully addressed. In addition, the subject of “Silver Economy”, which is one of a key issue under Thailand’s 20 Year Reform Plan, was raised by Ms. Phantachat. It was further elaborated that since many ASEAN countries including Thailand is becoming an ageing society, NSTDA and Ministry of Industry are working together to develop innovations to cater to changing needs of the elderly such as food, Smart Tourism, health, lifestyle and ICT products. Meanwhile, Mr. Benjakul shared his experiences working for 60+ Bakery & Café, a disability-inclusive bakery shop which provides on-the-job training opportunities for persons with disabilities.

          The seminar was part of the Inclusive Diplomacy Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and over hundred people attended the seminar and participated in the discussions. The discussions and the large turnout reflected a successful operations of Thailand and ASEAN toward the achievement of a more inclusive and accessible community.