Australia Awards South and West Asia

Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia recently supported 11 disability advocates (representing five countries: Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka) to participate in a substantial professional development opportunity in Australia. The 10-day experience consisted of a diverse series of learning opportunities in South Australia, concluding on 30 November, shortly before International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December.

All participants were chosen on the basis of being people working in policy and advocacy within the disability sector in their home country. Many are themselves people with disability. During the visit, the group learnt how different sectors in Australia work together with people with disability to provide the best outcomes for the people for whom they are providing services. Learning activities included site visits, presentations from government agencies and non-government organisations, and meetings with local people with disability.

Participants standing in front of a Bottle Tree during a tour at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

You can read more about the participants from each country and their reflections on their Australian learning experience, as well as the activities they benefited from, by following the relevant links below:

Bhutan (Read more: https://australiaawardssouthasiamongolia.org/disabilitychampions-2024-bhutan/)

Kinley Wangchuk (Executive Director, Disabled People’s Organisation of Bhutan) and Kunzang Namgyal Tshering (Executive Director, Ability Bhutan Society) represented Bhutan.

India (Read more: https://australiaawardsindia.org/2024/12/02/disabilitychampions2024india/)

Three participants represented India: Suganthi Shaiju (Senior Programme Officer – Inclusive Eye Health, CBM India Trust), Dr Satyapal Singh (Chief Coach of Indian Para-Athletics, Paralympic Committee of India) and Amar Jain (a corporate lawyer who has worked extensively on disability rights and accessibility).

Maldives (Read more: https://australiaawardsmaldives.org/disabilitychampions2024maldives/)

From Maldives, Fathimath Ibrahim (Disability Representative, Maldives Disability Council) and Ashfa Hamdi (Senior Social Protection Officer, Disability Rights and Wellbeing Section, Ministry of Social and Family Development) joined the group.

Nepal (Read more: https://australiaawardsnepal.org/disabilitychampions2024nepal/)

Neera Adhikari (Undersecretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens) and Bishwamitra Bhitrakoti (Vice-President, Dalit with Disability Association Nepal) took part on behalf of Nepal.

Sri Lanka (Read more: https://australiaawardssrilanka.org/disabilitychampions2024srilanka/)

Finally, Supun Rashinda Jayawardena (Head of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives, Sri Lanka National Federation of the Visually Handicapped) and Nishantha Geeth Kumara Thissawa Pathirannehelage (Program Director, Navajeevana Rehabilitation Tangalle) travelled from Sri Lanka for the experience.

Some of the participants pictured enjoying their time at Glenelg Beach.

The successful professional development opportunity aligned both with this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities theme (‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s designation of disability inclusion as a key priority for Australia’s international development program.

The study tour was an Australian Professional Opportunity. Australian Professional Opportunities are learning and development activities funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by Australia Awards.