1. To maintain the fellowship forged between diverse disability advocates and, where necessary, extend it to include other interests not so far represented 

The disability advisers at the WCC's 8^th Assembly in 1998 remained in agreement on EDAN's purpose and operation and, as regional coordinators, continued to carry responsibility for much of EDAN's work up until the most recent, WCC 9^th Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in February 2006.  

As regional coordinators, they formed a global network that continues the vision through sharing and fellowship. Besides keeping in touch, the group met three times after Harare - in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 1999, in Cartigny, Switzerland, in October 2001, and Lunteren, The Netherlands, in 2003 - and finally, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, during EDAN's pre-Assembly conference.  

An "energizing moment when each of us have been challenged by what others are doing," the meetings shared what was taking place in the regions, prepared plans for the next two years, and evaluated the work of the coordinating office. 

In addition to its global network meetings, the EDAN Reference Group - a small group assisting the staff to envision the operations and to set goals - met twice in Geneva and once in Bangkok, Thailand.       

Networks were established in all regions except the Pacific and the Middle East (see following paragraph). Some proved very vibrant and active. The Latin American Network, for example, endeavored to maintain good relationships with the regional ecumenical organization, which proved to be a effective way of working.  Contacts were maintained with the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Christian Conference of Asia, the Middle East Conference of Churches, and the Conference of European Churches, as well as with the National Christian Council of Churches in the USA and their affiliate National Disability Committee. All the regional ecumenical organizations have been visited by EDAN staff at one time or another.

In an effort to establish an operational network in the Pacific, an acting coordinator was appointed, Because she was not a native of the region, however, she was hampered by a lack of grassroots contact and support. A volunteer coordinator from Fiji with experience in working with the churches and the secular disability movement has now been identified and, hopefully, this network will soon become a reality.

As far as a Middle East network is concerned, the volunteer coordinator had to resign due to personal problems. A consultation with new WCC Middle East regional desk staff is planned to explore other possibilities of setting up a network in this region.

A quarterly bulletin, the EDAN Newsletter, shares news on the work and experience of the network among its members and also with churches, regional and national ecumenical organizations as well as with a host of national and international disability organizations. The Newsletter has proved an important communication tool with all the regional networks receiving copies and sharing what they are doing. 

3. To work with and advise the WCC on its work to improve conditions affecting disabled people in the churches globally

One of EDAN's concerns was how to ensure that as well as the Justice, Peace and Creation (JPC) team, other WCC teams would take on the concern of disability. To that end, it worked with the Faith and Order, Ecumenical Theological Education, Scholarships, Diakonia and Solidarity, and International Affairs teams. It also worked with the Economic Justice, Women, and Caring for Life projects within the JPC team.

This effort was very rewarding : not only did they take the disability concern aboard in their thinking and actions, but they also funded different EDAN regional activities, which would not have been possible otherwise.  

EDAN's work was also greatly enhanced by financial assistance from other ecumenical development agencies and church organizations, including ICCO of Netherlands, Bread for the World of Germany, the Lutheran World Federation and the United Church of Canada. 

5. To broaden the process of information-gathering in support of disability concerns and advocacy efforts

Gathering and disseminating information is EDAN's core business. While initially intending to set up a resource centre at the Nairobi secretariat, it was realized that access from different regions will would be a problem. So, as well as building up a small reference collection at the secretariat, EDAN shares information on resources through its quarterly Newsletter. It refers queries to others if the secretariat lacks the information required, and circulates major documents like the Interim statement.   

The EDAN Newsletter is published as both a means of sharing experiences and as an advocacy tool. The ten Harare Assembly disability advisors agreed on a publication that would appeal to churches, national and regional ecumenical organizations but, at the same time, inform on what other organizations in the disability field were doing. They also recognized the need to expand the information-sharing forum to include other persons with disabilities working closely with the churches and other organizations of persons with disabilities who had not been at Harare. The 24-page EDAN Newsletter was the very first attempt to do that.  

It has been published quarterly since January 2000 and posted on the WCC website. Its print-run has increased from 500 to 1000 to 1500 copies per issue. It is hoped that French and Spanish versions will be published soon. Readers include disability advocates, churches, theological institutions, national and regional ecumenical organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and individuals interested or working in the disability field. 

The EDAN Newsletter has

• revealed the existence of many initiatives for support and recognition of the cappersons with disabilities are able to make in an inclusive church and society;
• provided a channel for information sharing on such initiatives for the benefit of  church and society, as well as for persons with disabilities who can learn from each other and share experiences;
• endeavored to share information on technological developments and related skills, educational materials and opportunities as well as advocacy efforts with the aim of  increasing possibilities for social and economic re-integration of PWD;
• allowed Network members to maintain fellowship and information-sharing among themselves and with an expanded network of individuals and organizations involved in disability service and advocacy work;
• provided a forum for theological reflection on disability, brought alive discussion on the theology of the body, inclusiveness and a new concept of being a church;
• The Newsletter attempts to raise awareness on the dignity, and to favour equal opportunity for PWD. Sharing information on United Nations Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, and on other UN initiatives that address the human rights of PWD, are central to this effort. (The aim is to create awareness in communities and governments on the needs, aspirations, capacities and limitations of persons with disabilities (including the right to decent and gainful work), encourage positive attitude change towards children, youth, women and adults with disabilities.

In addition to the Newsletter, EDAN has published

• "INTERPRETING DISABILITY"  by Arne Fritzson and Samuel Kabue
  (WCC Risk Book Series,available from the WCC publications department)
• Articles by persons with disabilities who are EDAN members in the WCC's  ECUMENICAL REVIEW  (January 2001) and in ECHOES MAGAZINE (WCC Justice, Peace & Creation Team, July 2000) 
• Two articles and a book review in the JOURNAL OF DISABILITY, RELIGION AND HEALTH (Howard Press, USA). One of the articles is on the healing Mission of the Church and the other is on the WCC Work on disability.