Representatives of DAC-SG met with a Delegation from the University of Washington, U.S.A

In the afternoon of July 22, 2013, H.E. Ung Sambath Deputy Director of DAC-SG and representative of H.E. Em Chan Makara Executive Director of DAC-SG, met with Ms. Sharon E.Brown, Acting Director, University of Washington, U.S.A at MoSVY. Also present were PhD candidates and Masters candidates, (4 students in total) from the University.

Ms Brown’s main purpose is to assist PhD. and Masters students to learn about disability in Cambodia, especially children with disabilities. She said all students met with ministries, institutions and NGOs who have been working in the disability field nationwide during the 3months from June to August 2013.

She said, around 20 Cambodian students are studying in the University of Washington in different levels and skill sets.

Ms Brown is interested in the rights of Persons with Disabilities and has promised to take information from the meeting to discuss with the rector of University of Washington with the aim to develop a partnership with DAC in the future.

H.E. Ung Sambath welcomed and thanked the University of Washington for selecting Cambodia as a target in case studies, especially for disability issues; which the royal government under the leadership of SamdachThecho Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia and Host President of DAC has placed a high priority.

H.E. stated DAC growth has progressed through 3 stages, DAC was a Local NGO, and then was a disability coordination mechanism of MoSVY, nowadays DAC is a senate secretary of the royal government on disability under the management of H.E. Dr. IthSamheng, President of DAC. DAC has a secretary general to implement its strategies, and it contains 5units or departments:

1. Administration and Finance Unit,
2. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Unit,
3. Welfare and Rehabilitation Unit,
4. Integration of Persons with Disabilities Unit and
5. Disability Services Development Unit.

H.E. detailed the achievements of RGC through cooperation with development partners including: implementing the law on the protection and the promotion of rights of persons with disabilities and its legal frameworks, UNCRPD and Inchoun strategy 2013-2022, and organizing the report to the UN. H.E. continued to speak about service provisions to Children with Disabilities such as implementing the education policy, education for children with disabilities, health care, sign language and Braille services, capacity building to government officers, and co-operation in national and international levels on the disability field.