ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) conducted its monthly Executive Committee Meeting of the year on Thursday, October 27, 2022. The meeting was held online and was discussing about the final preparation for the upcoming AAN Congress in Malaysia, which will be held on 6-8 November 2022.

Mr. Cason Ong gave the guidances for transportation, direction, rundown events and facilities for the hotel that the delegates will be staying during the AAN Congress. The hotel is called “AVANTÉ HOTEL.” Mr. Cason also mentioned the rooms for each delegates as well the additional rooms for several participants who will be joining along with the delegates for each country that will bring additional participants, including with the family and the disabilities. Mr. Cason also would like to distribute the T-Shirts when the delegates and participants will check-in the hotel. Mr. Cason also reminded the total durations for the each country presentations is 15 minutes maximum, including the country reports is 5 minutes maximum, as well the main event presentations, titled “Autism Adults Employment and Its Challenges” is 10 minutes maximum. Mr. Cason hoped that the first day of the event, they can come before 01.00 PM, due to they have so many programmes for the shuttle to those who landed at KLIA Terminal 2.

 

 

Ms. Malai Didi, from SMARTER Brunei mentioned that she will bring her eldest sister, Ayla to join the Congress. Ms. Malai stated that Ayla would be mind sharing. Ms. Malai mentioned that Ayla helped and founded the SMARTER Brunei, and Ms. Malai said that she and the team as well her eldest sister are trying their best to re-active the organization as much as possible.

 

Mr. Chan Sarin, from Cambodia Autism Network mentioned that he will bring 3 (Three) participants and asked Mr. Cason for the extra T-Shirts. Mr. Chan Sarin stated that he will bring laptop for country reports presentation and asked Mr. Cason to help sending the presentation to the NASOM Secretariat e-mail. 

 

Mr. Cason Ong explained the rundown event from the first until the last day of AAN Congress, including the guideline of transportation, shuttle for arrival of delegates, hotel, eating time, as well the AAN Board Executive Meeting, annual fees collection, fundraising activities for AAN fund from each country, and etc.

 

Dr. Majeed Khader, from ANS Singapore, stated that he will only come on the second day of the Congress event and will leave earlier after the Congress is finished, due to other important matters that he has to attend back in Singapore.

 

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp from APCD explained about the AAN’s annual fees collection from each country is about 100 USD per year. Mr. Somchai Rungsilp was also discussing the fundraising and he suggested that if it’s possible, they can discuss about the aware to raise the fund from different sources, also he stated that they will submit to the AAN as the whole body and ensure to have allocate some time to discuss about that in detail. Later on, Mr. Somchai Rungsilp mentioned that last week, he went to Jakarta along with ambassador Piroon, and he worked with the AAN Secretariat to organize the UN ESCAP High-Level Intergovernmental Meeting side event, jointly organized by UN ESCAP and the government of Indonesia.

 

Ms. Supaanong (NuNu) Panyasirimongkol from APCD asked if AAN associate members like APCD, AAM, and ASP Welfare Trust should also pay mandatory membership fees, then Mr Cason answered that membership fees for AAN associate members is optional, and he wishes to discuss more about this matter in the congress.

 

Next, Ms. Siriporn (Siri) Praserdchat, from APCD asked about the flags of AAN for the handover ceremony. Then, Mr. Cason Ong stated that the flag has already been sent to Malaysia and will be washed and cleaned before the handover to Lao PDR. Lastly, Ms. Siri announced that she and APCD will be available for logistical arrangement support assistance for the event, especially for this upcoming AAN Congress.

 

Mr. Thein Oak Sein, from Myanmar Autism Association asked for the confirmation to Mr. Cason Ong about the hotel room, and he also stated that he will bring his brother. Then, Mr. Thein Oak Sein asked for membership fees, and later confirmed by Mr. Cason Ong that AAN membership fees are USD $100 per year and will be collected every 2 years, with a total amount of AAN membership fees for each country is USD $200.

 

Mr. Watcharapol (Khun Jib) Cheungcharoen, from APCD gave 3 (Three) points to make for the upcoming AAN Congress. The first one is to ensure that a key AAN activity report on achievements is presented to Congress (2020–2022). Secondly, as one of the Congress outputs, the AAN constitution should be referred to for brainstorming and updating to the current version after the Congress. And the last one is to make an updated financial report should be presented at the AAN EC meeting.

Here are the group photos for the AAN Executive Committee Meeting October 2022 Version.