News/Press

Balkan disability organisations, key players of civil society in the region Belgrade hosts the second Balkan Regional Conference on “European models of funding of disabled people organisations”

Belgrade, 19 March 2006 – The conference held yesterday in Belgrade gathered the leaders of the disability movement from the entire western Balkan region; the accession countries: Bulgaria and Romania; as well as from the EU Member States: Greece, Italy, Netherlands, and Sweden.

The successful meeting has demonstrated the improved level of coordination of disability organisations in the Balkans and their capacity to respond effectively to the challenges related to the modernisation of society in the region.

“It is a basic principle of our modern societies to dialogue with its citizens through their representative organisations. Ignoring the voices of 10 % of the population represented by disability organisations is a clear signal of democratic deficit that cannot be accepted”, said Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum. “The disability movement in the Balkans is committed to monitor the respect of democracy and civil dialogue in these countries and to develop a fruitful dialogue with public authorities at all levels”, added Vardakastanis.

This was the second Balkan regional meeting organised within the framework of the Capacity Building Project (CARDS – Community Action for Reconstruction, Democratisation and Stabilisation), a project lead by the European Disability Forum (EDF), the representative organisation of 50 million disabled people in Europe.

The conference debated the principles on which the funding models in the Balkan region should be based, an important topic identified by the disability leaders from the entire region in the so-called “Athens Resolution”, adopted in September 2005. Following the European model, the participants stressed the key role that public authorities should play to support the advocacy work of civil society representatives, including disability organisations. Financial support from the State should not curtail the independence of these organisations and their capacity to decide their own political agenda and priorities.

“Nothing about disabled people without disabled people is the motto of our movement, but also a basic principle of democracy. We will therefore continue to work at all levels to make sure that civil dialogue becomes a permanent reality in the region. It is a right we are asking for, not a favour”, said EDF President.

For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication and Press Officer; Tel office: (+ 32 2 ) 282 46 04; E-mail: communication@edf-feph.org

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 50 million disabled citizens in Europe. EDF membership includesnational umbrella organisations of disabled peoplefrom all EU/EEA countries, as well asEuropean NGOs representing the different types of disabilities. The mission of the European Disability Forum is toensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.