The meeting took place at Gentofte Hotel in Denmark.
Present:
Ove Bejsnap, Denmark, European Deafblind Union, EDBU.
Geir Jensen, Norway, EDBU.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren, Sweden, European Blind Union, EBU.
Serguei Sirotkine, Russia, EBU Deafblind Commission.
Observer: Stig Ohlson, Sweden, President of World Federation of the Deaf-Blind, WFDB.
Ove Bejsnap welcomed all to this first meeting in the joint co-operation committee. A special welcome to our guest, the president of WFDB, Stig Ohlson.
Thereafter a round of presentation took place.
Ove Bejsnap from Denmark, chairperson of the interim board in EDBU and host of this meeting, presented Ilse Bellamy as his secretary and the interpreters Charlotte Dohm and Gerlis Tvillum.
Serguei Sirotkine from Russia. President of the Russian organization Elvira as well as chairperson of EBU's deafblind commission and now one of the representatives of EBU in this joint co-operation committee. He presented his interpreters Andre Sukhov and Irina Kolotva.
Stig Ohlson from Sweden and President of WFDB. Thanked Ove for inviting him to this meeting, as he is interested in the European work. Susan Ohlson and Lisa Sveglund were interpreters during the meeting for Stig Ohlson.
Geir Jensen from Norway, Chairperson in the Norwegian Association of the Deafblind, as well as a member of the interim board in EDBU and EDBU's representative in the joint co-operation committee between EDBU and EBU.
Presented his interpreters Lisbet Moskaug and Inge Lise Larsen as well as Hans Egil Andreasen who would be both an interpreter and secretary for him.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren.Told that her family originates from Finland, but she is born and raised in Sweden. She is one of the representatives of the EBU in the joint co-operation committee and besides that a board member in EBU. She is also the contact person between the board of EBU and the women commission. Daily she is occupied with developing work and works voluntarily in the Swedish Federation of the Blind where she has been chosen as the primary vice-president. She presented her guide Åse Robertson.
Ove Bejsnap suggested a new item 3.
Item 3: Presentation of WFDB by Stig Ohlson.
Further additions to the agenda:
A separate item regarding discussion of Terms of Reference for the joint co-operation committee.
The final agenda was thereafter:
Stig Ohlson started by thanking for having been given the floor and informed that this is the first time he has officially represented WFDB after the founding. WFDB was officially founded in October 2001. Many Deafblind from around the world was represented at the founding. We passed the constitution of WFDB as well as appointed a board consisting of President Stig Ohlson, Vice-president Daniel Alvarez, Treasurer Jeff Bohrman, General Secretary Lex Grandia. 6 representatives from 6 regions in the world was elected which are:
North America: Craig MacClean from Canada.
Europe: Sanja Tarczay from Croatia.
Africa: David Shaba from Tanzania.
Latin America: Sonnia Margarita Villacres from Ecuador.
The Pacific: Sven Topp from Australia.
Asia: Satushi Fukushima from Japan.
Even though we passed the constitution we have already started suggesting changes to the constitution and suggestions to by-laws. We will establish a legislation committee which will handle these tasks. We have 40 national members, which is good, but not good enough. There are 180 Nations in the UN and many do not know of deafblind people in their countries. China have expressed that there are no deafblind in China, but according to statistics there must be 180.000. The same goes for India, where there have only been registered very few, but must be several thousand deafblind.
Our first task in the board will be to locate as many deafblind in the world as possible, as well as making an outline for the work of the board. This is not easy.
WFDB is a poor organization and the members of the board do not have the financial support they need. We hold meetings via the internet, which means we can make quick decisions. This form of work is almost seen upon as a workshop in the executive committee.
The General Assembly has decided what WFDB shall work on, and this will demand a great deal of resources which we do not currently possess. We are already now planning the next General Assembly. So far no one have offered to host it, but we should arrange it in Europe or North America to lower the travelcost. A developing country would be preferred but they neither have the finances nor the administration to handle such an arrangement.
It will take two and a half years to prepare the General Assembly after finding a host country.
WFDB is a member of IDA, International Disability Alliance. This is a network consisting of WFDB, WBU, WFD, Rehabilitation International, DPI (Disabled People International), among others. The purpose of this network is to ensure human rights. We cooperate with the UN, hereby also with Bengt Lingkvist who is special operator to the UN.
The UN draw several conventions and currently a 7th convention is being discussed - the convention against discrimination of disabled. Mexico wishes this convention to be made in one year, which is a good ambition but impossible to draw this convention in such a short time and also include user-organizations. It will most likely take two years. The work will be started in June 2002. If we are lucky the DPI will be represented in the working committee which will write a draft for the convention. In Sweden we have held a meeting with the foreign ministry and they will actively participate in this work. If other countries also participated actively in this work it would be good. The question is whether or not the UN Standard Rules should be a part of the convention. By joining the work in IDA, we can profile WFDB, make us known, and have good international contacts. We hope to be approved in the UN and thereby have the right to speak and vote at board meetings. This will be an opportunity to become visible.
The International Labour Organization has a programme regarding disabled people's opportunities for work in the developing countries.
The board of WFDB has many tasks and even though we have an effective executive committee we must have many partners to cooperate with.
We will contact the national deafblind leaders of each country to have them cooperate with WFDB. We hope that EDBU will be an important tool in the work for deafblind. The Scandinavian countries are supporting the work as they have better resources than many other countries.
WFDB results in Deafblind having more work to do but together we can do a lot. I will also establish a good contact with DBI, Deafblind International, as they have a lot of knowledge. It wouldn't be wise not to use the resources they can offer us but off course on our terms.
Ove Bejsnap thanked Stig Ohlson for the presentation.
Ove Bejsnap gave the floor to Geir Jensen, who had drawn a document regarding Terms of Reference. Geir Jensen started by emphasizing that it is rather usual to pass Terms of Reference, guidelines, for the work we have begun. Hereafter a discussion of the draft followed.
The final document for Terms of Reference should be sent for approval in EDBU and EBU. Geir Jensen further mentioned that this material should be sent via EBU's contactperson between EBU and EDBU, Arne Husveg. The Terms of Reference were suggested to be passed on this meeting and formally begin from the next meeting.
The draft was read aloud accordingly:
The EDBU/EBU Cooperation Committee, from now called "the Committee", was established in 2001 by a decision of the EDBU and the EBU, to promote good cooperation between the two organisations in matters regarding deaf-blind people.
The Committee shall consist of two persons appointed by the Board of the EDBU and two persons appointed by the Board of the EBU. The EBU Link person in matters regarding deaf-blind people may attend the meetings of the Committee with the right to speak and make proposals, but without the right to vote. The Committee may invite to its meetings any person(s) who may contribute in a positive manner to the work of the Committee.
The Committee shall meet when the Chairperson considers it necessary or when demanded by one of the parties.
In order to be valid, decisions of the Committee must be unanimous.
The Committee elects its own Chairperson on a rotary basis for a period of two years. This means that when a Chairperson from one of the cooperating organisations has served for two years, the Chairperson for the next two year period must be elected from amongst the Committee members of the other cooperating organisation.
The minutes of all meetings of the Committee shall be sent without delay to the offices of the two cooperating organisations.
The main objects of the Committee will be:
Ove Bejsnap requested an explanation of the purpose of Terms of Reference?
Geir Jensen explained that guidelines signify clear agreements regarding the cooperation as an obligating cooperation. It is also important to have conscise guidelines of how the group should be composed and what tasks it has. On our joint meeting in August we discussed the importance of EDBU and EBU cooperating in this way. The intention is to help EDBU forward as this organization should be led by deafblind, and attend to the interest of deafblind people towards European authorities and society as a whole. We need support from the big and strong EBU organization. The joint co-operation committee will be the most important group as it comes to implementation of a formal cooperation between EDBU and EBU. The disadvantage by not having Terms of Reference would be that the cooperation would become too casual and confusing.
Serguei Sirotkine expressed that such a document is extremely important. He drew attention to other areas of responsibility. The joint co-operation committee is f.ex. also responsible for the programme and workshops, but not financing conferences.
Ove Bejsnap had also considered the question of distributing areas of responsibility and areas of competence of the joint co-operation committee. This as to not confuse deafblind who follow the European work.
Tiina Nuumi-Södergren thought that Terms of Reference of the joint co-operation committee are very important to draw up. She agreed with Serguei Sirotkine in his comments regarding distribution of responsibilities. Our responsibility is to make the cooperation between EDBU and EBU supple, but we should not undertake full responsibility. Tiina Nummi-Södergren suggested that an item was added with the following sentence under main objects:
d. To smooth and facilitate the cooperation between EDBU and EBU.
The constallation of the committee is okay. The board of the EBU has decided that the joint co-operation committee should continue as long as there is a need for it.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren suggested that the draft with comments from these minutes is submitted to the respective boards in EDBU and EBU.
Geir Jensen commented that it is not the responsibility of the joint co-operation committee to discuss finances. The idea of Terms of Reference is that it should be sent to EBU and EDBU for approval. The joint co-operation committee should only continue its work as long as there is a need for it. We should under no circumstances perform external tasks, but are only a closed forum within EDBU and EBU. Geir Jensen expressed agreement with Tiina Nummi-Södergren and Serguei Sirotkine.
Ove Bejsnap concluded that the present persons agreed to recommend the draft Terms of Reference to approval in the boards of EDBU and EBU and hereafter the document will officially come into effect on our next joint co-operating committee meeting. Geir Jensen took the responsibility of forwarding the document to EBU and EDBU. This will be done in cooperation with Arne Husveg. All approved of this.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren believed that we could not wait with electing a chairperson for the joint co-operation committee as there has to be one responsible for the work from now on.
Geir Jensen and Serguei Sirotkine agreed with the views of Tiina Nummi-Södergren. Serguei Sirotkine suggested Ove Bejsnap as a temporary leader for the joint working committee. Tiina Nummi-Södergren supported Serguei Sirotkine's suggestion.
Geir Jensen also supported the suggestion if Ove Bejsnap would take the job upon him.
Ove Bejsnap thanked for the trust and would take on the job as chairperson of the joint co-operation committee. Ove Bejsnap was hereby unanimously elected as provisional chairperson of the joint co-operation committee between EDBU and EBU.
a.Time and place for the joint arrangement.
b.The programme for the EBU 5th deafblind conference. c.The programme for the founding of EDBU.
Ove Bejsnap gave a summary of a prior decision where EDBU had decided to set the date of the founding to 25th-30th of September 2002. Having had contact with several European deafblind he had been informed that many had not calculated the expense for participation in a conference on their budget for next year. He did not think we should be in too great a hurry and not by all means stick to the date in 2002. Therefore Ove Bejsnap wished to raise a debate if it would be more realistic to postpone the joint arrangement to 2003. Besides we could then have a four-year rotation that will not collide with the General Assemblies of WFDB. WFDB's General Assemblies will be in 2005, 2009, 20013. EDBU could arrange General Assemblies in 2003, 2007, 2011, etc.
Serguei Sirotkine notified that Ove Bejsnap had a convincing argumentation to postpone the joint arrangement to 2003. Also regarding the finances which are not yet in place. He upported Ove Bejsnap's proposal to postpone the joint arrangement to 2003. He recommended that the arrangement is not to be planned in November 2003 as the EBU has their General Assembly that month. Tiina Nummi-Södergren also thought that Ove Bejsnap's suggestion could be accepted. 2003 is also the International Year of Disabled and would therefore be well connected with the founding of EDBU. Geir Jensen agreed to the comments.
It was decided to postpone the joint arrangement to 2003 and give the deafblind organization in the host country, in this case The Danish Association of the Deafblind, authority to find an appropriate date for the joint arrangement.
Ove Bejsnap informed that Serguei Sirotkine, chairperson of EBU's deafblind commission, already on the joint meeting the 27th of August 2001 had produced a list with themes for he conference as was unanimously approved. Geir Jensen had been so kind to send out this list in connection with this meeting. Serguei Sirotkine notified that the main theme had been chosen on the meeting in the deafblind commission.
Main theme:
Independence and Equality of DeafBlind People - theright of deafblind people and the responsibility of the state.
Sub-themes:
These sub-themes shall also be discussed at the first coming meeting in the deafblind commission.
Ove Bejsnap thanked Serguei Sirotkine and announced that as the joint arrangement is held in Denmark, the Danish Association of the Deafblind will in cooperation with the Danish Association of the Blind be responsible for the technical arrangement.
Serguei Sirotkine wished for a close dialoque between FDDB and the deafblind commission concerning the making of the final programme. Because the list of sub-themes at this point is very long Serguei Sirotkine does not expect the deafblind commission to have more suggestions to sub-themes.
The joint working committee took note of Serguei Sirotkines notifications.
Geir Jensen emphasized that the work that FDDB and The Danish Association of the Blind has to do is to prepare and follow up on agreements regarding the joint arrangement in 2003.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren asked what the duration of the joint arrangement should be?
Ove Bejsnap referred to a debate in FDDB where it was estimated that the 5th deafblind conference and the founding of EDBU would take six days. Three days for the 5th deafblind conference and the remaining time for the founding of EDBU. The themes for the deafblind conference could be offfered as workshops. Stig Ohlson commented on the debate with the fact that in his experience important issues should be scheduled in the beginning of the arrangement. At the founding of WFDB which was scheduled on the last day of the Helen Keller conference many had departed already that morning.
Serguei Sirotkine commented that it would be neccesary to have plenary sessions on some of the sub-themes. Same persons could be responsible for several themes at the same time. We could do it similarly to what was done in New Zealand. Some sub-themes can be discussed in workshops and not in plenary sessions.
The latter workshops should be placed in the afternoon. On the final day of the conference we must close, conclude, and summarize the conclusions that have resulted from the workshops. This could take place as a small report.
That way three days will be sufficient for the conference.
A decision should be taken as to which themes will be discussed in workshops and in plenary sessions and which will only be discussed in workshops.
Ove Bejsnap concluded this item by emphasizing that FDDB will have a close dialoque with Serguei Sirotkine regarding the planning of the programme.
Ove Bejsnap told that EDBU currently consist of an interim board and that the actual founding will take place in connection with the 5th deafblind conference in 2003. So far the work has consisted in working out proposals for the constitution which was sent out to European deafblind organizations as to have comments from these. Geir Jensen from the interim board was appointed to inscribe any comments in the draft for the constitution.
This constitution should be approved on the day of founding in 2003.
Resolutions approved at the founding of EDBU can be used by EBU just like the resolutions of WFDB were passed on to WBU.
Stig Ohlson asked to have the draft of the constitution of EDBU sent to WFDB which will follow the work with interest.
Besides, WFDB is still working with their constitution and could be inspired by the constitution of EDBU. Stig Ohlson used the opportunity to thank for the invitation as he would not participate in the last part of the meeting because he had to return to Sweden after lunch. He told that it had been interesting to participate in this meeting.
Ove Bejsnap mentioned that we all have to work closely together and ensure that all interested are informed of the work of EDBU. Ove Bejsnap and Geir Jensen met the wish of Stig Ohlson to have the draft for the constitution of EDBU sent. It will be sent to the secretariat of WFDB.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren informed that EBU would like to help distributing the draft for the constitution and, within the framework of EBU, make an effort to have those deafblind whom EBU has knowlegde of comment on the draft for the constitution. Ove Bejsnap explained that the first issue was sent out in October 2000 and that comments should be replied before March 2001. Thereafter the interim board appointed Geir Jensen to inscribe these few comments in the draft which should form the basis of the first constitution of EDBU.
Serguei Sirotkine will discuss the draft in the deafblind commission and add comments subsequently, if any.
Serguei Sirotkine had not at the present moment worked out a list of lecturers, but would be happy to receive suggestions for whom could be responsible for a presentation regarding deafblind and employment. Scandinavian countries can appoint a lecturer regarding the theme computer technology, but maybe Angela Pimpinella would be interested as she was the one to suggest this theme. Geir Jensen could be responsible for the theme about deafblind and legislation. The Netherlands is very occupied with the theme about elderly deafblind, so maybe a lecturer could be found there. Daniel Alvarez from Spain or maybe a person from a Scandinavian country could give a presentation on technical aids.
He considered to send out a list of themes for the conference and advertise for lecturers.
Ove Bejsnap agreed with the comments of Serguei Sirotkine and suggested that maybe Stig Ohlson could give the lecture on the main theme. Geir Jensen was a good suggestion for lecturer on the topic of legislation. Besides, Bengt Lingkvist from Sweden could also be an option as a lecturer f.ex. on the UN Standard Rules.
The suggestion was noted with the remark that both Stig Ohlson and Bengt Lindkvist could be asked to speak about the main theme.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren thought that Stig Ohlson was a worthy suggestion, and she also suggested a young deafblind woman, Linda Eriksson from Sweden.
Serguei Sirotkine also wished that an exhibition on technical aids is to be arranged.
All agreed that the joint co-operation committee send proposals for lecturers to Serguei Sirotkine via e-mail.
Geir Jensen suggested that as the conference has been postponed until 2003 Serguei Sirotkine could work out a list of themes as well as proposals for lecturers which can be presented and approved on the next meeting in the joint co-operation committee. The assignment can be discussed in the deafblind commission and with the secretariat of EDBU via e-mail. The suggestion was unanimously passed.
Ove Bejsnap drew attention to the fact that there have been no official decision of whom carries the financial responsibility of the joint arrangement.
Ove Bejsnap offered that the Danish Association of the Deafblind could carry the financial responsibility if the joint co-operation committee would wish this.
Geir Jensen pointed out that Serguei Sirotkine already on the item of Terms of Reference had emphasized that financial questions does not belong to the areas of responsibility of the joint co-operation commettee. As Ove Bejsnap emphasizes, the financial responsibility lies within the host organization of the founding of EDBU, in this case FDDB. EBU carries the main financial responsibility of the 5th deafblind conference via the Danish Association of the Blind, which will be technical responsible. FDDB and Danish Association of the Blind have to cooperate on the technical arrangement regarding the joint arrangement.
Serguei Sirotkine added that it is not the responsibility of the joint co-operation committee to apply for funds for the joint arrangement. This must be a matter for EDBU and EBU.
He recommended that Tiina Nummi-Södergren submit this to the board of EBU. First funds must be obtained. Subsequently FDDB and the Danish Association of the Blind can be responsible for administering these funds.
FDDB will have the responsibility of keeping the accounts regarding the founding congress of EDBU, and the Danish Association of the Blind regarding the 5th EBU deafblind conference. How they solve the administrative part is a matter between FDDB and the Danish Association of the Blind.
Ove Bejsnap concluded with the remark that he will have a meeting with representatives from the Danish Association of the Blind in January 2002 and on that meeting raise the question of financing. There are possibilities for applying for funds through the EU. Funds which are earmarked for arrangements in 2003 in connection with the European Year of Disabilities. The results of the referred meeting will be informed to the joint co-operation committee.
This item was not dealt with owing to lack of time.
The interim board of EDBU has their next meeting the 12th of August 2002. Ove Bejsnap suggested to arrange a joint working committee meeting the day after.
Geir Jensen expressed that it would be better to arrange it later that year, maybe in Stockholm or Oslo.
Serguei Sirotkine might want to plan a meeting in the EBU deafblind commission in connection with the next joint co-operation committee meeting.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren welcomed the joint co-operation committee to Stockholm, but will have to discuss the suggestion with her board first.
It was agreed to arrange the next meeting in September or October 2002. Tiina Nummi-Södergren will present a suggestion for dates and coordinate a meeting in Stockholm.
Tiina Nummi-Södergren thanked Denmark for hosting this meeting and expressed content with the completion of the first meeting of the joint co-operation committee which was carried out very well.
Geir Jensen went along with the comment from Tiina Nummi-Södergren and wished all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and see you next year.
Ove Bejsnap thanked everybody for the participation in the first meeting in the joint co-operation committee and thanked Ilse Bellamy for reporting the minutes. He also thanked the interpreters. See you on the next joint co-operation committee meeting in 2002.
The meeting was closed with a wish for a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
(2010-11-08)