EDF - Annual General Assembly Rome 2006 – Main results and decisions

On 27 and 28 May 2006, EDF held its Annual General Assembly and associated meetings in Rome, Italy. FIMITIC was represented by two official delegates: Nigel Brander, President, and Marija-Lidija Stiglic, Secretary General (also in her function as EDF Board member).EDF Campaign on the Structural Funds – how to ensure the implementation of disability mainstreaming and accessibility requirements within the revised Regulation of Structural Funds
This session outlined the main results of EDF campaigns and actions to be undertaken urgently. The rule framework regulating the Structural Funds will ensure the consideration of accessibility and non-discrimination in all projects financed with EU funding. Furthermore, it will be possible for disabled people's organizations to take part in the monitoring of the implementation in the Member States and to co-fund projects under the structural funds. The General Assembly had a fruitful discussion on how to go forward and benefit fully from the potential of these new possibilities. The importance for EDF members to take action immediately at national level was stressed.

Information on urgent action to be undertaken at national level will be sent this week by e-mail to EDF members.

10th EDF anniversary campaign
The General Assembly adopted the strategy for the 10th EDF anniversary. Among other things, the strategy includes the re-launch of the campaign for a disability specific EU directive as well as a EU wide public event in Brussels in the Autumn 2007. To support the 10th anniversary campaign and to set the framework of EDF objectives for the next decade, a draft declaration was presented to the AGA and discussed.

According to the comments made at the General Assembly, a revised campaign strategy document and Declaration will be sent out for consultation to AGA official delegates and EDF members for their comments by the end of August.
The Board is due to adopt the revised campaign strategy document as well as the draft declaration during his next meeting in October 2006.

Resolution on the active termination of life of new born children with impairments and the right to live
The General Assembly adopted a resolution on the active termination of life of new born children with impairments and the right to live. The Resolution was initiated by IF – the International Federation of Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida. Following a discussion, a number of amendments were adopted prior to the adoption of the whole resolution. The Board was given the responsibility for the inclusion of the amendments in the resolution.

The resolution is broad in its scope, but it should in particular be seen in the light of recent developments in the Netherlands, where active determination of the lives of infants has taken place immediately after birth, because these infants were born with disabilities that were considered to be too severe or causing unbearable suffering. These acts have been committed without following legal sanctions.

EDF position on international convention on rights of people with disabilities
The General Assembly discussed and adopted an EDF position paper regarding the eighth and final session of the UN ad hoc committee for the negotiation of an International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

EDF policy paper on Community living
The General Assembly discussed an EDF policy paper on community living prepared by the community living task force. The task force was complimented for its work. Delegates had a number of comments and proposals for changes, and the paper will be adapted in order to meet these proposals.

According to the comments made at the General Assembly, the paper will be circulated for consultation again, the deadline for submission of comments will be end of August.

The Board meeting in October is expected to adopt the final version of the document.

Moreover the General Assembly approved for the community living task force to continue its work with the status of an EDF permanent committee.

Review of financial strategy – definition of membership fees
The General Assembly discussed and adopted the proposal from the Board for a new financial strategy aiming to ensure a 20% co-funding as required by the European Commission. There were 56 votes in favour, 13 voted against and 16 delegates abstained from voting. This new financial strategy will mean an increase in membership fees.

2004-2005 final accounts
The General Assembly adopted the accounts and board discharge for 2004-2005.

2006-2007 Budget and work programme
The General Assembly adopted the budget and the work programme for 2006-2007.
The Board is due to adopt the revised campaign strategy document as well as the draft declaration during his next meeting in October 2006.

EDF Annual report (2005-2006)
The EDF annual report was adopted by the General Assembly. This year the report has been restructured in order to make it easier to read and more understandable for external partners. The General Assembly saw this restructuring as a positive step. The layout and the language will be adapted slightly to meet recommendations from the General Assembly and it will be made available in easy-to-read text.

Membership issues
The General Assembly adopted the exclusion of a number of member organizations. The decision for exclusion resulted from the non-payment of membership fees as well as the lack of participation in EDF activities. All the excluded organisation were informed and agreed to their exclusion prior to the General Assembly.



New EDF governing bodies meeting calendar
The General Assembly adopted a new calendar of meetings for EDF. This means, among other things, that future General Assemblies will take place in October. This change of the calendar is due to new Belgian legislation that sets shorter deadlines for the approval of accounts of associations.

The adopted documents will be disseminated as soon as the comments made by the General Assembly delegates will be incorporated.