REGIONAL CONFERENCE
„STEP TOWARDS EUROPE II – RIGHTS AND POLICIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE”
Basic information on Conference
Background
The first Conference “ Step towards Europe 2005 – Rights and policies for persons with disability in South East europe” was organised by Informative Center for PWDs LOTOS ( Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Center for Independent Living Serbia and supported by Catholic Relief Service and Handicap International. The Conference was held in Sarajevo too, in March 2005. This Conference was the opportunity for common meeting of representatives of DPOs, governments, EU, EC and INGOs to discuss development of disability policies in SEE countries.
Conference participants appeal at different governments to:
- Develop overall strategy for PWDs on highest level;
- Support development of services in local community, supporting as well inclusion of PWDs;
- Improve and strengthen legal framework related to disability, highlighting the antidiscrimination and employment;
- Improve involvement of DPOs in policy creation process.
Latest events
There we some important changes in area of legislation and policy for PWDs on international and national levels since 2005:
- UN adopted CRPD in December 2006. In March 2007, 84 countries signed the Convention. Croatia ratified it, Serbia and Macedonia signed it and most of other countries in the region will do it until the end of the year.
- Action Plan for PWDs is adopted on European level, calling European countries to develop inclusive policies for PWDs.
- Anti discriminatory legislation was adopted in South East Asia, Albania, Serbia and in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina is in development process.
- Disability movement improved its advocacy skills through stronger unified voice on local and national level of most of the countries and is connected with EDF.
Further challenges
Still, implementation of legislative, legislative regulations, development of appropriate services in local community, accessible living environment and systematic consultations with PWD safe far from being efficient. There are some possibilities with decentralization, public sector and reforming the system of social protection.
One of key elements within the next few years could be the influence of EU Strategy 2007-2013 with instrument for pre-accession support. How much will programs funded from IPA be focused on disability or inclusion? How much will governments use IPA funds for organizing transition from institutional care toward services in local community and develop strategies for improvement of education, professional rehabilitation and employment of PWDs? How strong will IPA support efficient participation of civil society in creation and implementation of disability policies?
Conference “Step towards europe II” will be a great opportunity for evaluation the progress from March 2005 and to set new directions for period 2007-2013. In that period Handicap International, EDF and their partners plan to organise monitoring conferences in 2010 and 2013.