- This event has passed.
ENIL 2017 Freedom Drive- Brussels, Belgium
24/09/2017 - 28/09/2017
The ENIL Freedom Drive is one of the key campaigns of the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) – held every two years since 2003. It provides supporters of the Independent Living Movement with the unique opportunity to meet Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and promote human rights issues, as well to share experiences and ideas with colleagues from around Europe. The first 6 editions of the event took place in Strasbourg, until 2015, when for the first time the venue was changed to Brussels for strategic reasons. The ENIL 2017 Freedom Drive will take place between 24th and 28th September, in Brussels again. It will be dedicated to Martin Naughton – the father of the ENIL Freedom Drive – who we lost in 2016. It will consist of a series of events, culminating with a march from the European Parliament to the European Commission, under the theme ’Independent Living Heroes: Past, Present and Future’. ENIL invites all the members, disabled people’s organisations, disabled people and allies to join us in Brussels during this exciting week, so that we can once again show we are proud, strong and visible!
Overview of the week*
24 September
18:00h-20:00h – Freedom Drive Kick-off; venue to be announced
25 September
Motivational Events – four meetings on the following topics:
1) Setting up a CIL
2) Setting up a national youth network
3) Support for parents and allies to their children
4) UN CRPD
Spaces are limited to 20 persons per meeting, so register quickly by sending an email to dilyana.deneva@enil.eu as registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Venue: Meeting rooms at Mundo J, Rue de l’Industrie 10
26 September
National MEP meetings – if you need support for planning your meeting, you can request an ENIL Staff or Board member to brief your group. You can do so by sending an email to Dilyana Deneva at dilyana.deneva@enil.eu
Venue: European Parliament
27 September
10:00h – 12:30h: March from the European Parliament to the European Commission under the theme ’Independent Living Heroes: Past, Present and Future’
Venue: Meeting point near the European Parliament (TBC)
12:30h – 13:30h Pre-conference lunch (for conference participants)
14:00h – 17:00h ENIL Freedom Drive Conference on the topic ’Independent Living: A Voice for All’
Venue: Autoworld, Parque de Cirquantenaire 11
14:00h – 14:30 Opening session with Commissioner Thyssen
Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen will open the conference. Two sessions will follow during which children’s voices are to be heard.
14:30h – 15:45h Panel 1 – The protection of children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)
15:45h – 16:45h Panel 2 – Moving on to better inclusion and participation of disabled children in the disability movement
16:45h – 17:00h Conference Closure
17:30h – 19:30h ENIL General Assembly
19:30h – 23:00h ENIL Freedom Drive Celebration Cocktail and Dinner
28 September
Independent Living development meeting
14:00h – 16:00h Meeting on Human Rights
Places will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis as they are limited to 20 persons.
Venue: Meeting room at Mundo J, Rue de l’Industrie 10
*Please note that this programme is subject to changes.
For further information, send an email to Dilyana Deneva at dilyana.deneva@enil.eu