United Nations: First Committee of Experts on Disability Rights Convention Elected

New York, United Nations: On November 3, 2008 the first Conference of States Parties on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) elected the new Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which will be in charge of monitoring the implementation of the CRPD.  The Committee comprises seven men and five women, of which nine are persons with disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3 December 2008

The 2008 theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us"

Switzerland: Online-Advent calendar on sustainable development 2008

This year, again, the Swiss FIMITIC member association Procap (the former Swiss association of invalids) is partner of the online-Advent calendar on sustainable development 2008.

The calendar – in German, French, English and Spanish - is available here:

http://www.online-adventskalender.info/

You can simply open a new window every day and learn something interesting and participate as well in competitions.

Disability Movement Leaders Published Manifesto for 2009 European Elections

The manifesto calls on politicians to address disability and to assure equal access for disabled voters

Brussels, 3 December 2008 – European Disability Forum (EDF) made public its 2009 European Election Manifesto “Nothing about Disabled People, Without Disabled People” today, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

EDF Statement on Economic Crisis: Disabled People Must Not Pay for the Crisis

During the recent EDF Board meeting in the frame of the French EU-Presidency in Paris, France, the following Statement on Economic Crisis and Disabled People was launched:

Hotel Panda Budapest – Employing disabled people

The Budapest Hotel Panda is situated in the green Buda Hills and was recently renovated. The owners of this hotel have decided to give job opportunities to those who don´ t get them very often. Most of the employees of the Hotel Panda are handicapped.
 

International Conference on Accessible Tourism for Disabled People on September 11-14, 2008 in Vác, Hungary

Initiated by FIMITIC Vice-President Dr. Csaba Chikan, on behalf of the Hungarian member Association, the National Federation of Disabled Persons´ Associations - MEOSZ - and in cooperation with FIMITIC an International conference was organized about “Accessible tourism for disabled people” on September 11-14, 2008 in Vác, Hungary.

The project is based on the “Visegrad 4” member countries including Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic. The International Visegrad Fund was established in 2000.
 

Distinction pro Urbe posthum for Monica Antoci, Romania by Arad City

On Friday, 22nd of August 2008 the Local Council of Arad City gathered to a festive meeting on the occasion of the Days of Arad 2008, in order to confer distinctions to personalities with extraordinary achievements in the social and art domains. The Diplomas were given by the Mayor of Arad City- Mr.Gheorghe Falcă and the two Vice-Mayors – Mr. Ovidiu Marian and Mr. Levente Bognar.

To this event have been invited local officials, representatives of different religions and official representatives of twinned cities from: Gyula (Hungary) and Zrenjanin (Serbia) as well as Her Excellency the Ambassador of Romania in Hungary.

The Title PRO Urbe was given post-mortem to Mrs. Monica Antoci for her extraordinary activities for the protection of persons with disabilities. 

European Commission adopts long-awaited "social package" with renewed social agenda

On 2 July, the European Commission adopted the long-awaited "social package", containing 19 initiatives in the areas of employment and social affairs, education and youth, health, information society and economic affairs. The renewed social agenda is part of this package.

According to the Commission, the package "represents a new commitment to social Europe and consists of an integrated approach bringing together various policies. It shows how the EU can help to create opportunities, provide access and demonstrate solidarity". 

EU French Presidency: list of key events on social issues

The Social Platform selected the main events of the French presidency that relate to social issues.

Major events related to social issues, planned by or under the French presidency:

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