ASP's Cecile Sicam elected AAN officer

ASP National Vice-President and co-Founder Cecile Sicam was recently elected as the new Honorary Secretary of the ASEAN Autism Network in elections held last 26 April 2013 at the SEAMEO Voctech, Brunei, Darussalam. Teacher Ces also serves as the Directress of the Bridges Foundation.

Cecile Sicam speaking during the election in Brunei

The ASEAN Autism Network assembly was attended by representatives of various autism advocacy groups from Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Lao PDR. Akiie Ninomiya, the Secretary General of AAN and Executive Director of Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability was also in attendance. Before the election of the new set of officers, Mr. Chusak, the chair of AAN reported some major accomplishments of the organization and also of the different committees.

- AAN is now a registered organization in Bangkok, Thailand through the initiative of Autistic, Thai.
- Coming up of AAN website that provides information on autism and activities of member countries.
- Training of teachers of Lao, PDR conducted by Autistic, Thai.
- Designing and distribution of Understanding Autism posters to AAN members courtesy of Autistic Thai, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability and Autism Society Philippines.
- Conduct of simultaneous Walk for Autism during the World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) last 02 April 2012.
- Attendance by delegates of Autistic Thai, SMARTER Brunei, APCD and the Ministry of Social Welfare and Human Security of Thailand to the 12th National Conference on Autism conducted by ASP.
- Attendance of AAN representatives in regional conference to promote the rights and welfare of persons with autism.

The new officers and executive committee member that will serve until May 2015 are:

Honorary Chairperson- Chusak Janthayanond of Thailand
Chairperson- Malai Abdullah Othman of Brunei
Deputy Chairperson- Teh Beng Choon of Malaysia
Deputy Chairperson- Dyah Puspita of Indonesia
Honorary Secretary- Cecile Sicam of the Philippines
Honorary Treasurer- Hoang Ngoc Bich of Vietnam
Chairperson, Public Relations and Information Committee- Nay Myo Naing of Myanmar
Chairperson, Research and Revelopment Committee-Viengsam Soinxay of Lao PDR
Chairperson of Learning, Education and Training- Svay Simorn of Cambodia

AAN is a support organization of parents of persons with autism in Southeast Asia that promotes the rights and welfare of persons with autism and their families. It is composed of organizations from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability in Bangkok, Thailand serves as its Secretariat.

Posted in: 4public,international,intl