Our third Board meeting of 2024 took place on the 8 and 9 November, in Madrid. It was preceded by the conference “Prepared for the future” with panels on constitutional reforms, climate and sustainability, and mental health. The event was kindly supported by CERMI (the Spanish Committee of Representatives of Persons with Disabilities), and the ONCE Foundation.
During the meeting, the Board:
- Discussed the ongoing draft of the EDF Strategy 2025-2030 “Nothing without us – Joining forces for a disability-inclusive Europe”, which will be launched in January.
- Welcomed 2 new members: Down Syndrome Albania and the Association of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities from Moldova – European Abilities Without Limits. The European Polio Union changed status to full member.
- Adopted an emergency resolution calling on the European Union and the European Commissioner for Equality to upgrade the importance of the work in the Union of Equality in the Commission.
- Defined the main priorities of EDF’s campaign to update the EU’s Strategy on the Rights of Persons, including demands for new flagship actions.
- Launched the EU Accession Process: Guidance for Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.
- Adopted a Resolution on digital and non-digital access to essential services.
- Agreed to incorporate a member of the EDF’s Youth Committee as an observer during Executive Committee meetings.
- Discussed the upcoming review of the EU by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including protection against discrimination and accessibility to freedom of movement, the use of EU funds, political participation and the role of the EU in the world.
- Was updated on the campaign to re-establish the European Parliament’s Disability Intergroup: participants were asked to reach out to Members of the European Parliament and urge them to join the Intergroup.
- Was updated on the EU framework on the rights of victims’ of crimes and exchanged on the situation of victims with disabilities in their countries.
The Social Policy and Inclusion Committee met before the Board to discuss EDF’s advocacy demands for the new EU budget 2028-2034, explored the work EDF is doing on the new EU Traineeship Directive, and discussed what actions EDF and its Members should take to improve how Member States use the EU Technical Support Instrument for reforms in the area of disability policies.