We are pleased to share with you that Prof. Nagase Osamu, Eminent Professor at the Research Center for Ars Vivendi, has been elected to serve as the chair of the International Review Committee, which will examine the state report of Taiwan and elaborate concluding observations in Taipei from 30 October to 3 November 2017.
Though Taiwan is not a U.N. member and cannot officially ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Taiwan passed a domestic law to implement the CRPD in 2014. According to this law, Taiwan prepared its initial state report in 2016. It also established the International Review Committee, inviting independent international experts from Canada, Denmark, Japan, Sweden, and USA. By consensus of experts, Professor Nagase Osamu serves as the chair of the Committee, which will prepare the list of issues in July, have a constructive dialogue in Taipei from 30 October to 1 November, and will announce the concluding observations on 3 November. The participation of the civil society, including the DPOs, is essential in this process, in line with the principle of “nothing about us without us”.
Prof. Nagase Osamu, inaugural executive director of Japan Society for Disability Studies and former Asia Pacific Regional Representative of Inclusion International, has been very actively engaged with the CRPD research as well as the promotion of disability rights around the world and particularly in East Asia, through the East Asia Disability Studies Forum, organized by the Research Center for Ars Vivendi.
“It is my great honor and privilege to be a part of this very important process to promote disability rights and make Taiwan more inclusive” said Prof. Nagase.