On Thursday, 26 June 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), in collaboration with The Nippon Foundation, held an internal capacity building training workshop on Project Cycle Management (PCM) at the APCD Administration Building in Bangkok.
The workshop aimed to revisit the role and explore the potential scope of a capacity-building program for disability policy professionals, which has been led by The Nippon Foundation since 2016.

Facilitated by Mr. Yoshio Nakagawa, Program Officer from The Nippon Foundation, the workshop provided APCD and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) staff with an opportunity to reflect on challenges in bridging the gap between policy and implementation. A total of seven participants took part in the session, engaging in group work and discussion to analyze key issues and examine how structured project planning tools can contribute to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

In the latter half of the day, the focus turned to identifying essential factors for the success of future initiatives, particularly in the context of upcoming collaborative projects with The Nippon Foundation. This discussion encouraged forward-thinking perspectives and reinforced the importance of strategic alignment in inclusive development efforts.

The training served as part of APCD’s continuous efforts to enhance internal capacity and to ensure that its regional programs are both responsive and impactful in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of the Community Development Department at APCD, delivered the opening remarks.

Participants engage the workshop actively and they had the lively discussion.

Photo of each participant with their reaction during the training workshop.

Dr. Nantanoot Suwannawut represented DEP and APCD expressed their sincere appreciation to Mr. Yoshio for facilitating the session. The participants gathered a group photo following the end of the workshop.

London School of Public Relations – School of Special Needs Education led by Dr. Chrisdina M.Si, Dean of the faculty as well as the team leader from LSPR-SSNE visited APCD on 25 June 2025 to explore international connections and regional collaboration.  Dr. Chrisdina M.Si, shared the background and concept of the upcoming School of Special Needs Education, which will soon be launched by LSPR-SSNE to APCD. The discusse were explore the potential collaboration on resources for in disability development, training, and the exchange of best practices in special needs education.

The program started with remarks facilitated by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department, and Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat, Logistics Officer. A presentation was given by Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, APCD self-advocate with Autism and Networking & Collaboration Officer, shared the presentation on the “Empowering the Region & Building Inclusive Futures: APCD’s Regional Activities and the Way Forward for AAN”. Following the presentation, Ms. Supaanong gave a tour of the APCD 60+ project, showcasing Disability Inclusive Business efforts to the three delegates at the 60+ plus Bakery & Chocolate Cafe and the 60+ Plus Kitchen by CP.  

LSPR-SSNE and APCD exchanged further information, including the future of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the two organizations. This was followed by a visit from APCD Executive Director, Mr. Piroon Laismit, who discussed current regional education opportunities for persons with special needs and provided a warm welcome remark to LSPR-SSNE team also support and discuss the future collaboration. 

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, delivered welcome remarks to the LSPR-SSNE delegates and discussed about regional special educational opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, Networking & Collaboration Officer shared the “Empowering the Region & Building Inclusive Futures: APCD’s Regional Activities and the Way Forward for AAN”.

Three delegates from LSPR-SSNE touring the 60+Plus Bakery & Chocolate Cafe. From left to Right: Mr. Muhammad Abijdzar Alghivari, Office Administrator from the ASEAN Autism Network (AAN), Dr. Chrisdina M.Si., Dean of Faculty of Special Education, and Ms. Novita Sari, lecturer, Faculty of Special Education.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department, facilitated the next step of MOU and concluded the discussion of the future collaboration program with LSPR-SSNE delegates.

The 6^th ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress was officially organized which hosted by Association for Autism (AfA) – Lao PDR. AfA, ASEAN countries member states and APCD collaborated to organize this important event on 21 – 22 June 2025 at Vientiane, Lao PDR.

APCD mission to Lao PDR during 20-23 June 2025, led by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department (CDD) and Mr. Chayoot Homdee, CDD Officer from APCD, represented APCD joined the congress to support activities, assist organizing the AAN Executive Committee Meeting, follow up previous activities for ASEAN Autism Self-Advocate Network (AASAN) and check need assessment of future collaboration and strengthen partnership among AfA, AAN, APCD and London School of Public Relations (LSPR) (as existing secretariat of AAN).

On 21 June 2025, there were 2 highlight activities, ASEAN Autism Games and AAN Executive Committee Meeting. ASEAN Autism Games had verities of activities included competition sports, family sports, cultural dance. After ASEAN Autism Games, there was an Executive Committee Meeting in the evening, each country discussed on national activities, handover chairperson for the next term, working method with secretariats, logo adjustment and membership fees. The AAN Executive Committee Meeting was a fruitful discussion in order to commit on promoting inclusive society for persons with Autism in the future.

On 22 June 2025, AAN Congress was organized. The representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam presented their best practiced on the implementation of activities and sharing good practices of the development and empowerment of persons with Autism.

The Highlight of this gathering is the in-person chairmanship handover from Mr. Syvang Xayyavong (Lao PDR) to Mr. Chan Sarin (Cambodia).

Group Photo AAN Executive Committee Meeting for Future planning with the representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and APCD joined the meeting and the meeting was conducted on 20 June 2025.

Chairmanship was handover from Mr. Syvang Xayyavong, President of Association for Autism (AfA), Lao PDR to Mr. Chan Sarin, Chairman of Cambodia Autism Network (CAN), Cambodia as a new AAN Chairman for year 2025-2027.

More than 60 participants approximately joined the Congress, included AAN members, OPDs in Lao PDR, the organizer and APCD representatives.

Representatives from each AAN member state and APCD representative Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager, Community Development Department clasped hands, symbolizing strengthened cooperation and empowerment at the Congress.

Group photo of the athletes with Autism, AAN members, organizer and APCD at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Autism Games.

The athletes with autism represented Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam competed the inclusive sport games, included Mr. Chayoot Homdee, staff with Autism from APCD.

Representatives from APCD and Autistic Thai Foundation raised their hands up, symbolizing the empower of persons with autism participated in sports