The ENIL Freedom Drive is one of the key campaigns of the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) \u2013 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 \u2013 the father of the ENIL Freedom Drive \u2013 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 \u2019Independent Living Heroes: Past, Present and Future\u2019. ENIL invites all the members, disabled people\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n
24 September<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
18:00h-20:00h \u2013\u00a0Freedom Drive Kick-off; venue to be announced<\/strong><\/p>\n
25 September<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Motivational Events<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 four meetings on the following topics:<\/p>\n
1) Setting up a CIL<\/p>\n
2) Setting up a national youth network<\/p>\n
3) Support for parents and allies to their children<\/p>\n
4) UN CRPD<\/p>\n
Spaces are limited to 20 persons per meeting, so register quickly by sending an email to\u00a0dilyana.deneva@enil.eu<\/a>\u00a0as registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/p>\n
Venue: Meeting rooms at Mundo J, Rue de l\u2019Industrie 10<\/em><\/p>\n
26 September<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
National MEP meetings<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 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\u00a0dilyana.deneva@enil.eu<\/a><\/p>\n
Venue: European Parliament<\/em><\/p>\n
27 September<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
10:00h \u2013 12:30h:\u00a0March from the European Parliament to the European Commission<\/strong>\u00a0under the theme \u2019Independent Living Heroes: Past, Present and Future\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n
Venue: Meeting point near the European Parliament (TBC)<\/em><\/p>\n
12:30h \u2013 13:30h \u00a0Pre-conference lunch (for conference participants)<\/p>\n
14:00h \u2013 17:00h \u00a0\u00a0ENIL Freedom Drive Conference on the topic \u2019Independent Living: A Voice for All\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n
Venue: Autoworld, Parque de Cirquantenaire 11<\/em><\/p>\n
14:00h \u2013 14:30 Opening session with Commissioner Thyssen<\/p>\n
Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen will open the conference. Two sessions will follow during which children\u2019s voices are to be heard.<\/p>\n
14:30h \u2013 15:45h\u00a0 \u00a0Panel 1 \u2013\u00a0The protection\u00a0of children\u2019s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)<\/p>\n
15:45h \u2013 16:45h\u00a0 \u00a0Panel 2 \u2013\u00a0Moving on to better inclusion and participation of disabled children in the disability movement<\/p>\n
16:45h \u2013 17:00h\u00a0 \u00a0Conference Closure<\/p>\n
17:30h \u2013 19:30h\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ENIL General Assembly<\/strong><\/p>\n