Priorities: The study session focuses on one of the strategic priorities of the Council of Europe youth sector : Revitalising pluralistic democracy and Living together in peaceful and inclusive societies.
Specifically, it aims to empower people with disabilities around the world who are one of the first to be hit by poverty, destitution, disease, inequality and discrimination. ENIL wants to contribute to show that people with disabilities are equal members of society, it is our responsibility to change our situation for the better. In this way, we want to break the stereotype of a charitable model, and strengthen access to a social and inclusive model and an approach where we all enjoy equal rights and opportunities. This session represents a significant milestone for people with disabilities who are committed to an inclusive world and a sustainable course. If we all work together, we have a better chance of fulfilling the world’s aspirations for peace, prosperity, well-being and the preservation of our planet.
We want to show that there is action, will and way! In this study session, ENIL planned to give tools to young people with disabilities to address their rights and reflect on the ability to share this knowledge within their communities, encouraging more people with disabilities to do the same. The knowledge gained during the study session will help encourage the participation of young people with disabilities in political processes, learn where to find and see opportunities, how we can empower women, why our health is important, the impact of education on gender-based violence, independent decision making and importance of personal assistance in life of persons with disabilities.
Aim
The main aim of this study session is to improve understanding among young people with disabilities about international human rights instruments through the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and to empower participants to take responsibility for creating change. The next goal of the study session is to demonstrate different answers to the questions and problems we face, as well as to explain how each of them relates to each other. Additionally, the study session aims to encourage, through personal experiences, new leaders in the field of not only disability, but human rights in general, and to strengthen the rights based approach to local youth work, with the aim of supporting young people in claiming, exercising and defending their rights and encouraging their active participation in community life.
Objectives of the study session are:
- to raise awareness and understanding of 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its goals;
- to introduce participants to other international and regional human rights instruments, including by the Council of Europe, and explain how they relate to the 2030 Agenda and can complement one another;
- to develop participants' understanding of tools available for advocating for change;
- to learn how to use SDGs in everyday life and at the local level, and support participants to become multipliers by sharing their new knowledge and skills with their peers;
- to empower future leaders.
Organisers
ENIL works to strengthen the empowerment of disabled people.The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) is a user-led network of disabled people, with members throughout Europe. ENIL is a forum for all disabled people, Independent Living organizations and their non-disabled allies on the issues of Independent Living. ENIL represents the disability movement for human rights and social inclusion based on solidarity, peer support, deinstitutionalization, democracy, self-representation, cross disability and self-determination. ENIL’s vision is of Europe where all disabled people are able to exercise choice and control over their lives, on an equal level with others; where they are valued members of the community and can enjoy all of their human rights, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). ENIL’s mission is to advocate and lobby for Independent Living values, principles and practices, namely for a barrier-free environment, provision of personal assistance support and adequate technical aids, together making full citizenship of disabled people possible. ENIL’s activities target European, national and local administrations, politicians, media, and the general society. ENIL works to strengthen the empowerment of disabled people, mainly through providing resources for peer support and peer-to-peer training. ENIL enhances the European disability sector by providing an arena for the sharing of disabled people’s experience of services and by providing economical, logistics and technical expertise on independent living.
Outcomes of the study session:
- opportunity given to young people with disabilities to identify areas/issues which are of particular relevance to young people in different European countries;
- forum provided for young people to share information and ideas;
- Strengthened leadership skills of young people within the empowerment of disabled people and maintain their contribution on SDGs.
- Given opportunity to young people active in the Independent Living movement to act as role models to their peers;
- Given opportunity to young people to represent their works on different meetings and events;
- Improved participation of young people;
- Improved representation of young people.
Documents
