On May 4 2019, Autism-Europe (AE) held its Annual General Assembly in La Spezia, Italy, with the participation of more than 50 members, representing individuals and associations from 14 different countries.
Participants to this meeting – kindly hosted by AE’s member Il domani dell autismo – enjoyed a study visit of two inclusive touristic facilities, training and employing autistic people, Luna Blu and Sant’Anna Hostel.
Updates regarding the activities carried out by Autism-Europe in 2018, as well as its 2019 Work Programme and finances were presented during the meeting that was held in the Salvador Allende Center. Besides, AE Director, Aurélie Baranger delivered a training on the European Semester and its cycle – and in particular how it can be used as a vehicle to support the implementation the European Pillar of Social Rights. It is particularly relevant for civil society organizations, that can contribute to annual country-specific recommendations being made to Member States, in key areas of priorities for AE, such as access to education.
AE’s Vice-president, Pietro Cirrincione, also presented the report “Person-Oriented Research Ethics”, elaborated in 2019 by a task force from the organization Autism Ethics Network (AEN), an area of particular relevance that will be addressed during AE upcoming congress.
During a workshop session, participants analysed the impact of AE’s awareness-raising campaign in 2019 and discussed about possible topics and strategies for the next one.
The meeting concluded with the welcome of a new affiliated member association from Spain, Autism Navarra Association, and a declaration of president elect Harald Neerland, whose mandate will be effective as of January 1st, 2020.
The next day, on May 5th , members of the Council of Administration (CoA) and observers received an update about the organization of the and voted on the venue for the next AE international congress to be held in 2022. The later will be officially announced during the closing ceremony of AE’s Congress in Nice, in September 2019.
The CoA also welcomed two new members by co-optation: Adam Harris representing the Irish Full member AsIAm and Yevgeniy Bondar representing the Russian association Autism Regions, also a full member.