Inclusion Europe: Europe in Action drew hundreds of people to Rome
Inclusion Europe and Anffas welcomed more than 350 participants to the Europe in Action conference, a yearly event that has become a tradition for many people with intellectual disabilities, their families, carers and representative organisations. The event, which took place in Rome on 21-22 May, addressed effective and innovating ways of strengthening the self-advocacy movement at local, regional and national levels, while discussing the impact of self-advocacy on families.
The conference also debated ways in which families and self-advocates can work together to promote the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). “Our credibility hinges on getting support for self-advocacy right,” said Maureen Piggot, Inclusion Europe President, at the opening of Europe in Action 2015.
The conference programme mixed personal stories from self-advocates with sessions delivered by experts in the field or European policy-makers. The personal and political dimensions of self-advocacy were central to the programme, particular in relation to issues such as legal capacity, political participation, accessibility, health, education and community-living.
“People with intellectual disabilities are experts when it comes to their lives,” said Inclusion Europe Director Geert Freyhoff. “Self-advocates are therefore in the best position to advise policy-makers, and should be involved and consulted in all decisions that affect the interests and well-being of persons with intellectual disabilities,” he added.
