CM/Res.944 (XL)
RESOLUTION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AFRICAN FEDERATION FOR THE BLIND
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Fortieth Ordinary Session in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia from 27 February to 5 March 1984.
Having considered the Memorandum submitted by the African Regional Committee for the Social Advancement of the Blind,
Aware of the gravity of the scourge of blindness in Africa and its numerous repercussions on its economy and society;
Further aware of the ever-increasing number of blind people in Africa,
Considering that the blind in Africa are becoming increasingly aware of the need to improve their situation and of the role that they can play in the economic and social development of their countries,
Recalling Resolution CM/Res.483 (XXVII) of the Twenty-seventh Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers held in Port Louis, Mauritius, which grants observer status to the African Regional Committee for the Social Advancement of the Blind,
Recalling the resolutions adopted during the Seminars organized on the one hand by Heads of Organizations of the Blind for the Blind of English-Speaking States held in Stockholm in May 1980 and on the other hand by the Heads of Organizations of the Blind for the Blind of French-speaking African countries held in Thies, Senegal in February 1981 on the establishment of an independent African Federation for the Blind:
TAKES NOTE with satisfaction on the initiative for the establishment of a Federation for the Blind grouping all Associations for the Blind in OAU member States;
URGES Member States to grant National Organizations of the Blind for the Blind all facilities enabling them to participate in the Constituent General Assembly of the African Federation for the Blind;
CALLS UPON the OAU Secretary-General to take all necessary steps to give to the African Regional Committee for the Social Advancement of the Blind, the assistance needed to convene the Constituent General Assembly of the said Federation;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to follow the preparation of the Constituent Assembly and to report to the Forty-second Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers;
CALLS UPON those Member States which have no national associations for the Blind to create or expedite the creation of such associations within the limits of what is possible;
THANKS the Republic of Mali for drawing the attention of the OAU Council of Ministers to the scourge that the blindness constitutes in Africa.
CM/Res.944 (XL)
Attachment
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AFRICAN FEDERATION FOR THE BLIND
The total sum of US$38,000 is required for the Constituent Assembly for the Establishment of the African Federation for the Blind.
This sum is made up as follows:-
Salary for Interpreters US$ US$
Freelance technical staff 6 x 8 x US$ 200… … … … … … … … .. 9,600 OAU technical staff 3 x 8 x US$ 150… … … … … … … … . 3,60O
Per Diem
Freelance technical staff
6 x 10 x US$ 90 5,400
Translators from OAU Regional
Offices 3 x 10 x US$ 90… … … … … . 2,700 8,100 Cost of Air tickets for
Freelance technical staff
6 x US$ 1,800 10,800
Translators from 0AU Regional
Offices 3 x US$ 1,500… … … … … … . 4,500 15,300 Terminal Expenses 9 x 2 x US$ 12 216
Other Conference Hall Expenses 1,184
Total US$ 34,000
The above estimates have been made on the understanding that the venue for the meeting will be in Addis Ababa.