A week of strategic thinking, discussion and planning about the future development of Exceed and the Prosthetic and Orthotic sector in Southeast Asia has taken place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Dr David Boone, Chair Exceed Board of Trustees and Board members Dan Blocka and Stephen Blatchford joined members of Exceed's management team, from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and the UK, to review short- and long-term challenges and opportunities around international development and the sustainable development of Prosthetic and Orthotic education and services.

The programme included engagement with key partners including Cambodia's Ministry of Health; Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation; the International Committee of the Red Cross; Mine-Ex Stiftung of Switzerland and ACCESS 2, a programme supported by the Australian Government focused on improving access to quality and inclusive services for persons with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence in Cambodia.

The international development world has changed. Many wealthy, western hemisphere countries have reduced support for lower income countries, making it much harder for development organisations - like Exceed - to get the funds needed to do their job. However, this strategic planning event proved its value by developing a well-defined path forward for Exceed, demonstrating that well-intentioned discussion, partnership, cooperation and innovation can overcome challenges, to ensure that people with disabilities continue to receive the high quality support services they need.