On 21 and 22 March, European civil society organisations gathered in Brussels for the European Citizens' Summit, with a dual aim: to discuss their proposals and strategies, and to speak with one voice for an open, fair and sustainable Europe. The result was the Brussels Declaration, adopted at the end of the Summit by over a hundred organisations. Unfortunately, the provisional priorities of the Council outlined in the draft strategic agenda for 2024-29 stand in stark contrast to the civil society’s vision in the Brussels Declaration. The post Nicolas Van Nuffel: Civil society’s Brussels Declaration asserts a vision of a fair and sustainable Europe – in contrast to the Council’s draft Strategic Agenda appeared first on CONCORD.

The Committees on Development (DEVE) and on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), as well as the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee for are sending a delegation to the United Nations Global Refugee Forum in Geneva from 13 to 15 December 2023. The second Global Refugee Forum will provide an opportunity to build on the significant progress made by governments and other stakeholders towards the implementation of the pledges and initiatives announced since 2019. Vice-president Marc Angel will participate in the Forum on behalf of the EP President MEPs taking part in the delegation will evaluate the role of EU action on refugee and migration situations in its internal and external policies, and in its three faceted capacity of host, partner and donor. Besides, they will liaise with other EU institutions, member countries as well as third countries, in particular those hosting large numbers of refugees and migrants, and civil society.Location : Geneva, SwitzerlandSource : © European Union, 2023 - EP

The European Parliament is committed to ensure that all persons with disabilities can live an independent life and be fully integrated into society. In order to analyse existing initiatives to protect and empower people with disabilities, and to reflect on challenges ahead and prepare for future activities, Parliament will hold its first Disability Rights Week. Many committees will be voting, debating and holding events regarding disability policies. Detailed activities below:Debates: AGRI: Discussion with Benoît Ceysens, director of "Ferme Nos Pilifs" DEVE: Debate on "Access to education and training for persons with disabilities in developing countries" EMPL: Discussion on the European Disability Card and European Parking Card & Presentation of the special report on "Supporting people with disabilities" by the European Court of Auditors TRAN: Discussion on existing barriers in the field of transport and tourism for people with disabilities DROI: Exchange of views on the rights of persons with disability in conflict and post-conflict situation Events: PETI: Annual workshop on the rights of persons with disabilities EMPL-FEMM: Hearing "Harmful practices in the EU towards women and girls with disabilities" EMPL: Interparliamentary committee meeting on the participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process Vote: IMCO: Vote on the opinion on the proposal for the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card Location : European Parliament, Brussels Draft Programme of the first disability rights weekEvents taking place during the Disability Rights week     28 Nov. 2023 morning - AGRI Committee - Exchange of views about the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the agricultural sector.     28 Nov. 2023 from 16.30 - DEVE Committee - Exchange of views on the rights of persons with disability in conflict and post-conflict situation - Link to the webstreaming     29 Nov. 2023 from 9:00 - PETI Committee - Annual workshop on the rights of persons with disabilities followed by debates on petitions     29 Nov 2023 from 14:30 - joint EMPL-FEMM hearing on 'Harmful practices in the EU towards women and girls with disabilities'     30 Nov. 2023 morning - EMPL committee - Debate on the European Disability Card and European Parking Card     30 Nov. 2023 morning - EMPL committee - presentation of the special report 'Supporting people with disabilities' - European Court of Auditors     30 Nov. 2023 from 10:45 - TRAN Committe - Exchange of views on the draft opinion & amendments on the European Disability Card and European Parking Card and discussion on existing barriers in the field of transport and tourism for people with disabilities     30 Nov. 2023 from 11:30 - DROI sub-committee - Exchange of views on the rights of persons with disability in conflict and post-conflict situation     4 Dec. 2023 from 16:30 - interparliamentary committee meeting on 'the participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process'     4 Dec. 2023 from 18:15 - IMCO Committee - Vote on the opinion on the proposal for the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card, during the Committee.Background information     Study on the 'Analysis of the European Disability Card' - Nov 2023 - EMPL Committee     Study on 'Targeted measures for persons with disabilities to cope with the cost-of-living crisis' - Nov 2023 - PETI committee     Political participation of people with disabilities in the EU - May 2023     Understanding EU policies for people with disabilities - Dec. 2022      Towards equal rights for persons with disabilities - Dec. 2022Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP