News/Press

Brussels, 20 May 2008 – The European Disability Forum, the representative organisation of 50 million disabled people in Europe, will hold its Annual General Assembly in Ljubljana on 24-25 May, under the auspices of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU. More than 150 leaders of the European disability movement from 29 countries will participate in this key meeting.

The Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs of Slovenia Marjeta Cotman and the Slovenian Member of the European Parliament Ljudmila Novak will address the Assembly in the opening session at 11:30 on 24 May.

The two day meeting will focus on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The leaders of the European disability movement will debate in particular on the forthcoming EU legislative proposal to fight discrimination against disabled people, and on a strategy to reinforce gender equality for women with disabilities. A number of case studies from different EU countries will be presented on “Equal Recognition before the Law” of disabled people, one of the key articles on the Convention, soon to be ratified by the European Communities. Finally the leaders of organisations of disabled people will also debate practical ways to further promote social inclusion of disabled people.

The General Assembly of the European Disability Forum will be held in Hotel Mons, Monsadria d.o.o. Pot za Brdom 56, Ljubljana.

Another major European event, the conference “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – From Words to Reality?”, is going to take place in Krajnska Gora in Slovenia on 22 – 23 May. The conference will include the second informal meeting of ministers from the EU Member States, accession and candidate countries and from the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) countries, responsible for disability issues. Ministers will discuss and adopt conclusions on the way forward for the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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