The first edition of the Riga Academy – aimed at sharing experiences and developing skills of disability activists in Central and Eastern Europe – took place in Latvia at the end of December 2023. This Academy is organised by the Latvian organisation of persons with disabilities, SUSTENTO, in cooperation with the European Disability Forum (EDF). 20 activists from Ukrainian organisations of persons with disabilities spent a week working with their Latvian counterparts, learning and exchanging experiences. The work is funded by the organisation CBM as part of our Ukraine programme.
The first edition of the Academy aimed to familiarise participants with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It explored concrete examples of how Latvia successfully implemented the Convention and how accession to the European Union aided in this process.
Gunta Anca, Chair of SUSTENTO and the European Disability Forum’s Vice President, highlighted that:
Our Academy aims to boost the confidence of people with disabilities in Ukraine, emphasising that their participation and experience as representatives of non-governmental organisations are crucial for Ukraine to become a fully inclusive European country. The motto of people with disabilities in Europe is ‘Nothing About Us Without Us!’ and this principle is equally relevant for a better future in Ukraine.
The program encompassed both theoretical and practical segments, delving into specific articles of the Convention. For example, participants visited the Latvian Ombudsman’s office to examine the general implementation of Convention standards. Topics such as Children with Disabilities and Education were explored through visits to an inclusive school and the House of Science at the University of Latvia. Discussions on Independent Living and Community Inclusion involved witnessing the lives of residents at the multifunctional social services centre “Laipa“, while the topic of Employment and Occupation allowed participants to interact with employees at the RIMI supermarket, exploring their implementation of corporate social responsibility standards and observing their office work organization.
Igor Shramko from the Kharkiv Association of Blind Lawyers was one of the participants:
The program had a high practical orientation. The first part involved analysing the content of the Convention’s articles, followed by its practical application. We gained significant experience and benchmarks to guide our activities. This event allowed us to look at the ideas embedded in the Convention from a new perspective. The Convention is not just about rights but also about possibilities, and this theme resonated throughout the entire event as we explored how to realize these possibilities using the Convention as a tool.
Participants represented various regions of Ukraine (Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Volyn, Cherkasy) and had diverse experiences in civic engagement, ranging from well-known human rights activists to novice volunteers. This diversity added depth to the event, making discussions lively and substantive.
Viktor Litovchenko from the Active Rehabilitation Group shares:
I like that they combine theory and practice. How things work in Latvia is powerful. I would like to join similar efforts. In Ukraine, there will be an increasing number of wheelchair users. Therefore, the topics of accessibility, universal design, and the rights of people with disabilities are becoming more important to us. We are still far from Latvia; it will take us about 20 years to reach the same level.
Karina Kardash from the Active Rehabilitation Group added:
For our organisation, it’s essential to train newcomers so that they see the big picture and can work more meaningfully on the ground,”
Oleg Lepetyuk from the Kharkiv Association of Blind Lawyers also shared his thoughts:
Upon our return, together with other organizations, we will advocate for the participation of people with disabilities in decision-making processes and the consolidation of the community. This is currently crucial for me.
The Academy also provided psychological relief. The trip to Latvia provided the first opportunity for many participants to relax in a safe environment. Oleg Lepetyuk from the Kharkiv Association of Blind Lawyers adds:
In the evenings, we strolled around the city, visited the opera and the organ hall. Riga is so quiet and cozy; the city has already become familiar.