APCD Foundation New Management and Executive Board

Message from His Excellency
Mr. Tanin Kraivixien
Privy Councilor
President, APCD Foundation

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability Foundation (APCD Foundation) was established on 7 November 2003 with an initial capital of US $50,000 graciously donated by His Majesty the King of Thailand. This donation was the prize money awarded to His Majesty the King by Franklin Delano Roosevelt Institute (FDRI) for Thailand's initiatives and actions to take care of people with disabilities. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, on behalf of His Majesty the King, was the nation's representative to receive the award and prize at the United Nations. The APCD Foundation is under the Royal patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) was created under the joint collaboration of the Government of Thailand and the Government of Japan on the 3rd December 2002. It was later, by an agreement with the Government of Thailand, to become an integral part of the APCD Foundation in 2008. In turn, the APCD Foundation has thereby been transformed into a fully fledged international non-governmental organization in this region. Its overall goal is to promote the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region. The APCD Foundation is now a regional center on disabilities and development, and has been collaborating with 32 countries in the Asia and Pacific Region.

The scope of its activities is wide, varied and extensive. Millions of people with all types of disabilities are to be well-cared for. Some of them can become self-supporting. They will be given moral support and all opportunities available so that when going out into the world, they can go with their heads held high and shoulders squared.

On the management side, in order to render effective services, our organization will have to set up the networking and collaboration among disability-related organizations within the Region and beyond. So will a variety of training in different fields, e.g. in Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR), accessibility in built environment, Transportation and Information Communication Technologies (ICT) have to be implemented. However, one of the most formidable tasks to perform will be the fund-raising for the organization’s mission.

Having fully realized the great obligation of our organization, we have committed ourselves to our mission with tenacity of purpose. With the full cooperation of all members of a strong Executive Board and with a forceful and experienced team of management, we have hope and confidence that though the road to success will be long and hard, we will move ever onwards towards our noble goal.

Message from Dr. Tej Bunnag
Chairman, APCD Executive Board
Assistant Secretary-General for Administration,
The Thai Red Cross Society

“APCD will continue to collaborate and develop networking with all stakeholders at all levels, in order to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. Our approach is to mobilize resources and share best practices with all organizations in the disability field.”

Message from Professor Wiriya Namsiriphongphan
Member, APCD Executive Board
Lecturer, Faculty of Law
Thammasat University

“It’s time for APCD Foundation to seek financial support from not only JICA but also other funding agencies. Persons with disabilities have to participate in policy-making and activities-oriented matters to utmost benefit themselves in the Asia and Pacific region.”

Message from Mr. Monthian Buntan
Member, APCD Executive Board
Member, Senate of Thailand
Member, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Senator

“For the empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier-free society, we should develop our solidarity and enhance effectiveness and sustainability in our Asia-Pacific region. Working in partnership with persons with disabilities and their organizations, APCD Foundation will devote our tireless efforts to make our dream come true in the future.”
 

Message from Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay
Member, APCD Executive Board
Regional Development Officer,
Disabled People’s International Asia-Pacific Regional Office

“I have confidence that the move from the public sector and towards leadership under the Foundation will not impede the strength and passion by which APCD strives to achieve its aims. Founded after Thailand was awarded the Franklin D Roosevelt International Disability Award, the APCD Foundation serves as a strong backbone for further success. APCD has, and will continue to, create meaningful and ameliorate change to the lives of persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Message from Mr. Suporntham Mongkolsawasdi
Member, APCD Executive Board
Managing Director, Father Ray Foundation

“In the era of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), an individual
can get into good practices and knowledge regardless of differences in
economic, political, and social aspects. An important role of APCD is to
empower persons with disabilities and utilize our tacit knowledge in order to live a meaningful life according to the context of our society and culture.”

Dr. Damrong Reinprayoon
Member, APCD Executive Board
Director, The Thai Red Cross Society

Dr. Wachara Riewpaiboon
Member, APCD Executive Board
Health Systems Research Institute
Ministry of Public Health

Ms. Rubina Suwanpong
Member, APCD Executive Board

Representative,
Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
Member, APCD Executive Board

Representative,
Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Member, APCD Executive Board

Dr. Benja Chonlatanon
Member, APCD Executive Board

Representative,
Leonard Cheshire Disability East Asia Pacific Regional Office
Member, APCD Executive Board

Executive Director (Mr. Akiie Ninomiya),
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability
Member/Secretary, APCD Executive Board