The Global Professional Education Committee (GPEC) (a global forum of the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (IAACD)) was, for the first time, organized in India on 24-25 January 2020. APD was privileged to co-host the event along with the Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy (IACP), St. John's Medical College, Bangalore Medical College and Sagar Hospital, Bangalore.

GPEC aims to promote approaches to educate on childhood disability and the need to build on the foundation of current concepts around health, development, family and disability. It stresses on the application of WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework and the importance of family and child development, recognizing that childhood disabilities start in early childhood and are life long condition. 

Over 60 delegates from across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Europe, and Canada participated in the event. The occasion was also graced by our beloved Disability Commissioner (ex-APD) Mr V S Basavaraju. It is his vision to apply the concept advocated by GPEC in Karnataka and India.

APD's Programme Manager of Early intervention, Dr Divya S Karthik also intends to promote the current evidence-based best practices for the betterment of children and people with disability both within and outside APD.