Big European Conference in Skopje, Macedonia
EASPD’s conference “Towards Community-based services – current realities and future challenges” on 7th and 8th October 2010.
On 7th of October, EASPD’s autumn Conference will kick-off in Skopje. It will address the challenges faced in the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, by comparing situations and models of service provision found in different parts of Europe.
It is part of the calendar of major events of the Chairmanship by Republic of Macedonia of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (May-November 2010).
Experts on disability-related issues and representatives of persons with disabilities from all over Europe, representatives from the European Commission and the Council of Europe and key personalities will exchange about the issues faced when trying to implement the UN Convention. The Macedonian Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Mr. Xhelal Bajrami, will be keynote speaker in the opening session.
In a period of financial and economic crisis, the most disadvantaged groups of people are even more endangered, amongst others persons with disabilities. However, it is also a period of severe budget cuts for social services, which damage their capacity to provide adequate support. The EASPD conference in Skopje will offer a space to discuss the way to succeed in improving social conditions for persons with disabilities in this context, by learning from the different experiences to be found in Europe, thereby building bridges in knowledge and practices across the continent.
Six plenary sessions and two series of workshops will enable participants to address this challenging objective. The 1st day of the conference will focus on how quality systems can facilitate the development of community-based services, whereas the 2nd day will be dedicated to discussing the best ways to make services available and society accessible to all.
All regions of Europe will be represented, as EASPD believes that mutual learning is a key for success. All stakeholders involved in the disability sector will have the opportunity to share ideas and build networks at all levels, since cooperation paves the way for improved practices and stronger links all over Europe.
Journalists wishing to attend should contact EASPD’s at charlotte.boetticher@easpd.eu
More press information on the Conference can be downloaded from
http://easpdskopjeconference.openthewindows.org/
President of Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism
Co-organizer of the conference
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