MONGOLIA – LAND OF PERSPECTIVES

Oidov Vaanchig

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Mongolia is…

Politically: stable democracy with potential for increasing role in geopolitical map of the world.

Economically: one of the fastest growing economies close to emerging markets and rich by natural resources.

Socially: still in transition period, coping with different aspects of social challenges and opportunities due to highly fragmented economical and political ambitions.

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Background

History:

• During 13. century the greatest empire of the world• For 70 years under communist regime

• Last 20 years of democracy

• Landlocked like Switzerland

• Three times size of France

• Population is 2.7 Million (46 % urban population)

• Continental climate (- /+ 40˚ Celsius)

• Rich by natural resources (oil, coal, copper, gold, silver, uranium)

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Political situation

• Parliamentary republic with multiparty system

• Governance Indicators:

Political Stability – 65 Government Effectiveness – 30

• Foreign affairs - “Neutrality” policy

• New elections in June 2012

• Increasing interest by world political and economic leaders (US, Germany, South Korea, China, Russia).

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Economic situation

• Herding and agriculture > natural resources

• GDP real growth rate – 17.3 % (2011)

• GDP composition:

Agriculture 12.9%; Industry 30.8%; Service 56.3%

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Economic situation

Extensive natural resources: rich mineral resources such as gold, copper, uranium, coal, molybdenum. Extensive animal origin raw materials, like cashmere, wool and leather

Copper Coal

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Social situation

Age population: 95 % of population are 0-64 years old.

Population growth: 1.5 % (2012)

Literacy rate: 97.5% (one of the highest worldwide) Language: Dual language proficiency is common

HDI: medium at 62.2 (2010)

Poverty line: 32.3 % (2010)

Great disparity between rich and poor

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Social situation - Health

Challenges to provide health service to the low populated countryside

Disparities between urban and rural areas is high

Inadequate investment to health sector: 9% of GDP (2009)

Lack of Health Professionals and Specialized Institutions

Number of people with Disabilities: increasing to up to 10% of population

People with Disabilities in Mongolia

115,000 people with disabilities (PWDs) officially registered (2008)

• Classification based on medical (‘deficit’) model

• Disabled people poorest and most marginalized;

• Only 29% of school age disabled children enrolled;

• 87% of PWD unemployed.

NGOs for PWDs in Mongolia

56 NGOs for people with disabilities officially registered (2010)

• 5 National Level organizations; Others are mainly local.

• In the second phase of Organizational Development and capacity is comparably weak;

• Trained in UNCRPD, Universal Designing, Community Based Rehabilitation approach, Social Models of Disability.

PWDs Issue related authorities in Mongolia

• No – consolidated package of law coordinating issues of PWDs

• Each issue depends on the certain Ministry (Ministry of Social Welfare, or Health or Education or Infrastructure)

• Human Rights Commission of Mongolia and certain specialized NGOs are main protectors of Right.

• International NGOs as UNDP, UNICEF, Mercy Corps, World Vision are main sources of funding and knowledge.

Living Environment

Transportation: public transport should be free but no provision for accessibility;

Construction: lack of standards and mechanisms for enforcement;

Education: commitment to inclusion but no trained teachers and facilities;

Labor: entities with over 25 staff should employ at least one PWD;

International Treaties: UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities ratified.

Use of public transportation is very difficult for PWDs

Do not comply with the relevant standards and requirements

Bus stops are not designed for access of PWDs

Drivers, conductors of public transport, buses are very rude towards PWDsand discriminate against them

Most PWDs do not belong to any organizations that work for their interests….

Challenges – Public Transportation

Lack of understanding of parents,Government officials, teachers andpublic on inclusive education

Lack of accessibility to educationand Information

Insufficient professional medicaland educational staff in rural areasand lack of appropriate equipment

Lack of clear methodology to determine children’s disability level….

Challenges - Education1

Success - Legal

Ratification of the UNConvention on theRights of Persons with Disabilities byMongolia (May 2009)

Success - Accessibility

"Building space for

PWDs in the civic

construction“

and

"Designing pedestrian

walkways accessible

for PWDs“

Standards are in force

from February 01, 2010

Success – The first measurement of public places on accessibility

Success - Recognition

Three candidates, PWDs are running for the Parliament Election 2012 in Mongolia.

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Who am I?

Interested in setting up own Business based on E-Business concept.

Gaining business skills in SML ZHAW.

Represented PWDs of Mongolia in Korea, UK, Russia and US.

5 years of Managerial Experience in Security Company.

15 years working in Civil Society Sector including own setup NGO

Overall - Very Lucky Person.

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Establishing OT in Mongolia

Based on the needs revealed by Swiss OT and PT in a study (2003-2004)

Occupational Therapy is highly essential and important service for increasing number of handicapped, disabled and elderly persons in Mongolia.

OT services do not exist in Mongolia and the aim of the project is to establish this profession as part of Health System of Mongolia.

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“Disability Inclusion 2010” Award by US Mobility International and InterAction US

Thank you very much!

My contacts:

E-mail: Legenda1167@yahoo.comWeb blog: www.oidov.blogspot.com Facebook: Oidov Vaanchig