Welcome
"Inclusion – Transforming Global Rights into Action"
Patron of the event is Horst Köhler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany
Welcome!
We invite you to join us at our 15th World Congress in Berlin. This Congress is a unique opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends to:
- meet each other,
- learn from what is happening elsewhere, and
- join together to make a world in which we are all valued equally.
Our goal
All the countries of the world belong to the United Nations. The United Nations (UN) has agreed an important new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Now we have to ensure these rights become a reality for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Our programme
We will draw from many countries to learn about the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities and their families throughout their lives. We will identify how we can achieve improvements using the UN Convention. We will focus on:
- The right of disabled people to make decisions for themselves.
- The right to be included in the community.
- The right to inclusive education.
- The right of families to get the support they need.
- The right to live without poverty and discrimination.
Wide participation
We look forward to welcoming many people with disabilities, parents and other family members, allies in civil society, professionals in service organisations, researchers and policy-makers. We want everyone to be active participants in the Congress and members of the stronger networks required to support us all in taking effective action afterwards.
An inclusive community
The Congress will be very accessible to disabled people and support the participation of people speaking different languages. There will be many opportunities to meet others inside and outside the Congress hall to strengthen friendships, share ideas and reflect on different experiences. Our aim is to make the Congress itself an inclusive community in which everyone is a valued member.
We hope to meet you in Berlin!
To receive further information about the Congress, please fill out – without obligation – the contact form and we will keep you updated. To join our global online network and share ideas and experiences about the Congress, visit our Facebook page.
