The second Flagship Conference will take place during a very crucial time: European leaders will be preparing the next EU legislature following the European elections results, negotiating, nominating and electing the future European Commission and filling in EU top jobs. n particular we will look at: 1. Participatory democracy: How can civil society become the missing link between people and decision-makers?; and 2. Social justice: How to make the economy work for people?

Organised by AE's member AsIAm, the theme of the conference will be "Building Partnerships" - exploring the need for close collaboration between professionals supporting autistic people and between the autism community and professional. Every session will be co-presented by a member of the autism community and a relevant professional, many of whom themselves are autistic.

Friday is a professional development seminar targeting healthcare, education and social care in particular as well as policymakers. Saturday will be our Autism Community Conference.

The 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 MEPs and promote human rights issues, as well to share experiences and ideas with colleagues from around Europe.