Interview with Rodolfo Cattani



Interview with Rodolfo Cattani

Rodolfo Cattani is representing the European Blind Union (EBU)one of our European NGO full member. He has been in our Board for a long time and was General Secretary and chaired several EDF committees and expert groups. This year, he decided not to run for elections, and thus after so many years he retires from our governance. Here after follows a short written interview with him.

You can find out more about Rodolfo from reading his biography.

When did you join EDF?

I joined EDF on the day of its foundation in 1997.

What is your favourite moment in your mandate or mandates: a campaign, event,?

I would like to mention: the  adoption of the Madrid Declaration “NON DISCRIMINATION PLUS POSITIVE ACTION RESULTS IN SOCIAL INCLUSION”  in 2002 prior to the 2003 European Year of People with Disabilities; the 1million4 disability campaign in 2007; the 4th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities in 2017; the campaign for the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty.

Is there something you made in EDF that you would do differently if you could turn back the time?

Many things, because when you engage yourself in demanding situations you never know if  a decision you are taking or participating in would be the best or not.  Sometimes later on  you discover that it was not.

What are your plans for the near future? Would you like to share with us? A project, holidays plans, something to which your are looking forward?

I have been unexpectedly affected by a health problem and my first engagement will be to recover my energies. I will certainly miss EDF’s work but I will devote more time to study and deepen scientific themes and also political issues. Of course, I will continue dedicating myself to disability issues and human rights at European and national level. My priority in these activities is to conclude as positively as possible my mandate as President of the European Blind Union, which will expire with our 12th General Assembly end of 2023.

Do you have a piece of advice for the new Board members, who joined for the first time

If I could offer some recommendations, I would suggest to the newly-elected Board members to be ready for learning from achievements and mistakes, to cooperate openly and constructively with the re-elected colleagues, and to work for strengthening consensus, unity, reciprocal understanding and respect, serenity of judgement. EDF is a unique place for promoting human rights, justice, social inclusion and peace. I wish all Board members success and the realization of their ideals and dreams.

Thank you very much Rodolfo for your valuable contribution to improve our rights as persons with disabilities, and it is encouraging to know that you will continue supporting this work. We wish you a quick recovery and lot of energy to fulfill all your plans.