In this interview, we speak with MEP Pál Szekeres, Member of the Disability Intergroup Bureau. Known in Hungary as a a lifelong athlete and civic activist, he has been advocating for disability rights long before joining the Disability Intergroup. In the European Parliament, he continues to represent the interests of persons with disabilities through his involvement in the Committees on Petitions and Employment and Social Affairs.
In this interview, we discussed:
- His commitment to working within the Disability Intergroup
- The use of EU funding to ensure the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities
- The second phase of the EU Disability Rights Strategy
“Joining the Disability Intergroup felt like a natural and deeply personal”
Question: You have had a remarkable career as both an Olympic and Paralympic athlete before entering politics. What motivated you to make a transition from sports to politics, and what inspired your commitment to working within the Disability Intergroup?
Answer: I am a father of three, a professional with three university degrees, and a lifelong athlete. In 1991, I had an accident and have been using a wheelchair ever since. At that time, Hungary was experiencing the winds of democratic change after the fall of communism, and the first free elections deeply motivated me, just as they inspired our whole society. As a civic activist, I always felt responsible for taking part in public life. In 1999, I was appointed Deputy Secretary of State for Sports in Hungary, where I made the promotion of sports for people with disabilities my main priority. Later, as a government commissioner, I further developed my understanding of public administration and policy-making. As a former member of the European Union’s Disability Platform, I have closely followed European disability policy, so joining the Disability Intergroup felt like a natural and deeply personal continuation of my commitment. Since 2024, and still today, I have been serving as a Member of the European Parliament.
“All EU funding programs should align with the CRPD’s goals”
Question: In a recent Disability Intergroup meeting with Commissioner Lahbib, you highlighted concerns about EU funds being used in countries where disability rights are not respected. What safeguards or funding priorities should be introduced in the next EU budget to ensure stronger protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities?
Answer: The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has been ratified not only by all EU Member States but also by the European Union itself. This means it is a binding legal framework, and full compliance with its principles is not optional but a legal and moral obligation. Therefore, all EU funding programs should align with the CRPD’s goals — supporting inclusion, accessibility, and independent living for persons with disabilities in every Member State. In future EU budgets, we must ensure that funds are not directed to projects that disregard disability rights. Instead, resources should prioritize capacity building, inclusive education, and employment initiatives. Most importantly, we should view persons with disabilities not as a challenge to be managed, but as an opportunity to make our societies more just, innovative, and humane.
“Targeted measures and adequate resources will be essential”
Question: The European Commission will soon present its plans for the second phase of the EU Disability Rights Strategy. As rapporteur for the Committee on Petitions on this specific file, what concrete measures or policy shifts do you believe are essential to include in the post‑2024 strategy?
Answer: The Committee on Petitions adopted the document I presented unanimously, without any votes against. This outcome reflects the extensive and dedicated work of many colleagues, for which I am deeply grateful. I am particularly pleased that the key priorities – employment, accessibility, and education – are strongly reflected in the opinion of the committee. It is equally significant that aspects of prevention and early screening have also been integrated.
I very much welcome that the opinion acknowledges the role of social inclusion through art, culture, and sport. Moreover, I consider the references to artificial intelligence, robotics, and accessible technologies as important forward-looking elements. Ultimately, targeted measures and adequate resources will be essential to turn the commitments outlined in this document into tangible outcomes and to give real substance to what is currently expressed on paper.
“The most powerful tools for social inclusion”
Question: Given your background in high‑level sport, how do you think the EU could better promote inclusive sport and physical activity for persons with disabilities, both at the grassroots and professional levels?
Answer: When we look at inclusive sport through the lens of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, solid foundations are essential. One of these foundations is employment. When people with disabilities have access to decent work and fair wages, they are also more likely to engage in leisure and recreational sports, because they have the financial means and social recognition to do so. Sport, in turn, is one of the most powerful tools for social inclusion — it builds confidence, community, and equality. The EU should therefore not only fund inclusive sports programs, but also highlight and share best practices among Member States. We can learn a great deal from one another. I would also like to see members of the Disability Intergroup visiting sporting events where we can experience adaptive sports firsthand — it’s a simple but strong way to foster understanding and genuine inclusion.