Inclusion Europe board met online this week. The board:
- Reviewed Inclusion Europe work in 2021, and in the past 4 years.
- Assessed new membership applications.
- Reflected on our collaboration and future plans with Inclusion International.
Most recently we did this self-advocacy seminar on deinstitutionalisation together. - Discussed new strategy and work-plans for the years 2022-2025.
- Appointed new vice-president.
Evaluation of Inclusion Europe work
The board talked about how they see Inclusion Europe work in the past 4 years, when we worked on our 5Es for rights and inclusion.
The conversation is part of external evaluation of the work we did with a grant from the European Union.
- The evaluators presented their first findings based on documents, interviews, online survey.
- Board members talked about what they like about Inclusion Europe work, and what they think we should improve.
- The evaluators will do some more work for the report, including a focus group (discussion) with self-advocates.
New vice-president
Bryndís Snæbjörnsdóttir finished her term as vice-president of Inclusion Europe.
- The Board thanked Bryndís for her work and dedication.
- “Being included in the community on an equal basis with others is a human rights issue, not a welfare concern,” says Bryndís in recent article for the EESC newsletter.
The Board appointed Theresa Shearer as the new vice-president.
Theresa Shearer is the CEO of ENABLE Scotland.
“I am honoured to have been elected as the vice-president,” Theresa said. “ENABLE was one of the founding members of Inclusion Europe back in 1988, with the organisation’s constituting assembly hosted in Inverclyde.”
“I am looking forward to sharing ENABLE’s learning from personal assistance model, and self-directed support with organisations across Europe.”
“And also to working with colleagues to progress the cause of deinstitutionalisation and human rights for every person who has intellectual disability.”
You can see all current board members here.
Reflections from Board members following the meeting
László Bercse says:
“Inclusion Europe does a lot to include self-advocates in their advocacy work,”
“We always get the papers for the meetings beforehand, and in accessible format. This way we can better prepare for meetings and take part in discussions.”
“Inclusion Europe is also strong in communication. We have easy-to-read newsletters to help self-advocates to share ideas and experiences.
Dana Migaliova says:
“In spite of COVID situation and financial challenges to the whole movement, Inclusion Europe works with our members to promote the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.”
“Inclusion Europe found a new way of organising events to involve as many members as possible despite the pandemic: Europe in Action conference about employment, Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conference.”
Anastasiya Zhyrmont says:
“Inclusion Europe has an advantage that not many NGOs have: large network, and regional expertise.”
“It is important to see more focus on the rights of people with disabilities also in non-EU countries such as Belarus.”
Oswald Föllerer says:
“As Inclusion Europe members we exchange laws and views on inclusion in our countries.”“We help each other to implement inclusion. This is very important work.”
“We fight for Europe where people with intellectual disabilities enjoy the same rights as everyone else,” Jyrki Pinomaa says in an interview about our work.
- “We do it together with our members, together with people with intellectual disabilities, together with the families by listening to them and listening to their dreams, wishes, hopes and plans.”
- “Together we make our voice louder. Together we make our voice heard.”
