Pacific

The launch of EDAN in the Pacific Region was held together with the first ever Pacific Consultation on Disability and the Church at the Pacific Theological College (PTC) in Suva, Fiji from 3^rd to 5^th December 2006.  The event was organized by the WCC Office in the Pacific, South Pacific Association of Theological Schools (SPATS) and the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) with financial assistance of WCC through EDAN and ETE. It was attended by 25 participants from six Pacific Island Countries representing Churches, Theological Institutions and Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs). The major outcome of this event was the development of the SPATS Curriculum on Disability used by Theological Institutions in the Pacific. Since the launch of EDAN Pacific in 2006, Mr. Setareki Macanawai has been the Region’s Coordinator.

Mr. Setareki is a christian of indigenous Fijian descent. He was born in 1964 and is married to Ana with four children and two grandchildren. He became blind when he was 17 years old during his final year at high school. He then went on to complete Primary Teacher Education and was posted to the Fiji School for the Blind where he taught for almost 20 years. He left the school after serving for two years as a Principal. He studied at Universities in New Zealand, United States and Australia. He has a Masters Degree in Educational Administration. He served in numerous disability organizations in Fiji and abroad as well as presented papers in conferences overseas and wrote a few journal articles, thesis and disability education curriculum. His concern to address the spiritual development needs of persons with disabilities led him to start a fellowship group for persons with disabilities in 1989, conduct disability awareness raising programmes in mainline christian Churches in different parts of the country and now pastoring at the Horeb Disability Christian Fellowship in Suva, Fiji.

Mr. Setareki currently works as the CEO of the Pacific Disability Forum, a position he has held since January, 2007 serving about 30  Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) in 18 Pacific Island Countries and Territories. In this positon, he represents the Pacific Region in the International Disability Alliance(IDA), Global Partnership on Disability and Development(GPDD) and Asia/Pacific Disability Forum(APDF). He also serves on the Disability Reference Group of the Australian Agency for International Development(AusAID). Prior to this role, he served as the Executive Director for the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons and Principal of the Fiji School for the Blind.

To him, the main concerns facing people with disabilities within and outside the church in the Pacific Region include social exclusion, negative attitudes, absence of appropriate governmental policies and legal framework, inaccessible buildings and transport systems, low parental/societal expectations and stereotypes.

To further ecumenical disability work in the Pacific, Setareki feels that first, a recognition and commitment on the part of Disabled Peoples Organizations on the important place of spiritual needs and development of persons with disabilities is neccesary. Second, the supportive role of christian denominations and theological schools towards fostering a disability inclusive church environment is essential. third, exchange of information and learning of good practice as well as success stories from other regions of EDAN need to be nurtured.

EDAN Pacific carries out the following programs/activities:

1. The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF): The Pacific Disability Forum is made up of 30 DPO’s in 18 Pacific Islands Countries. It works closely with SPATS, PCT and more recently with the Pacific Council of Churches(PCC) in promoting disability inclusion in Pacific Churches and Theological Schools. DPOs in the Cook Island, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji and Samoa have made significant inroads on this  in their countries.
2. Awareness Raising: The Pacific Disability Forum works with CBM Australia to promote and share Luke: 14 with DPOs in the Pacific. This is an awareness raising program aimed at enabling churches became disability inclusive . In April 2011, PDF organized a workshop session during the Pacific Regional Conference on Disability Inclusion in Auckland, New Zealand.
3. Maintaining Fellowship: We maintain close collaboration with the New Zealand based Christian Ministry with Disabled Trust on how the Pacific Churches can became more inclusive of persons with disabilities.
4. Working with the Government: The Pacific Islands Forum which a regional intergovernmental organization in the Pacific appointed a Disability Coordination Officer in 2006. We work closely with this officer to raise, address and promote the concept of disability inclusive policies, programs and development including the concept of an Inclusive Church through this intergovernmental platform. In October 2009, the Pacific held its first ever Government Ministers meeting responsible for disability issues where the Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability 2010-2015 was adopted.
5. The Second Pacific Consultation on Disability and Theological Education: The Second Pacific Consultation on Disability and Theological Education was held at the Pacific Theological College Suva, Fiji from 15th to 19th September, 2008. it was financed by EDAN and SPATS. The five day consultation was attended by 20 participants from seven Pacific Island Countries and two Pacific French Territories. Each of the nine countries and territories has an EDAN focal point. The programme majored on the role of EDAN Pacific, disability in Pacific Churches and further work on the development of curriculum on disability for Theological Schools which was started in December, 2006. A draft curriculum was then adopted.
6. The Horeb Disability Christian Fellowship (HDCF): EDAN Pacific is currently housed by HDCF in Suva, Fiji. HDCF has done a lot to demonstrate roles of persons with disabilities in Church activities and Theological Institutions. It does this by awareness raising on disability issues within church communities, and working in partnership with other disability organizations. The HDCF organizes annual Esther camps which is a well attended event by persons with disabilities.
7. Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop on the draft curriculum: The workshop took Place in July, 2011 in Fiji and was supported financially by EDAN. It was attended by seven participants from Theological Schools in the Pacific and 10 from Theological Schools in Fiji. EDAN was represented at this meeting by Rev. Ezamo Murry of India who provided leadership, guidance and technical assistance to ensure successful completion of this project which had lagged behind for some years.

Contact Office:

Mr. Setareki S. Macanawai
24 Dex Voeux Road
GPO Box 18458
Tel: + 679 3312008, +679 3307530
M/Vodafone: + 679 -9921486
M/Digicel: + 679-7082891
Fax : + 679 3310469
Email: ceo@pacificdisability.org
Website: www.pacificdisability.org
Suva, Fiji Islands