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09.05.2008

Conference and Informal Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Persons with Disabilities “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – From Words to Reality?”

The informal meeting of ministers responsible for persons with disabilities and the conference entitled "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – From Words to Reality?", organised under the Slovenian EU Council Presidency by the Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs in co-operation with the European Commission, will be held on 22 and 23 May 2008 in Kranjska Gora.  The central topic of the meeting will be the political implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; most attention will be given to progress made in European policy regarding its implementation, which is the responsibility of Member States and the EU as a whole.

The patron of honour of the conference will be the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk. In addition to distinguished experts and the President of the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, Slovenian Minister Marjeta Cotman, the conference will also be attended by the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Špidla, by line ministers from ten countries, and representatives of other organisations and the European Commission.

The conference will begin on Thursday 22 May 2008 with opening speeches delivered by the current President of the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, Slovenian Minister Marjeta Cotman, the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Špidla, and the Slovenian President, Dr Danilo Türk.

Immediately after the Thursday morning plenary session, at 12.00 pm a press conference will be held at Vitranc Hall/1st floor, at which the highlights of the conference will be presented.

In the morning plenary session, the conference guests will discuss accessibility for persons with disabilities and the integration of disability protection policy in EU Member States; the afternoon session will focus on the lives of people with disabilities in local communities and the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

At 4.00 pm, the informal meeting of ministers responsible for persons with disabilities will start, which will be closed to the public (family photo at 3.45 pm and possible photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting).

On Friday, 23 May 2008, a round table and series of workshops will take place on how to contribute to putting the convention into practice by way of action programmes, with the support of competent authorities and the participation of persons with disabilities.

In addition to the EU Council Minster, Marjeta Cotman, the final meeting will also be attended by the line minister from France, Xavier Bertrand, and the European Commission Director General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Nicolaus van der Pas.

The conference will be open to the public, whereas the informal meeting of ministers responsible for persons with disabilities will be closed to the public. Participants should have accreditation badges (accreditation form enclosed) which will be delivered at the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs, Kotnikova 5, Ljubljana (on Wednesday, 21 May 2008).

 

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Date: 09.05.2008