International CONFERENCE on Independent Living, Nov 28-29, 2008, Stockholm, Sweden
Invitation to International Conference
”25 Years Independent Living in Sweden”
Stockholm November 28-29, 2008
How far has the Independent Living Movement come and where are we going? The conference celebrating 25 years of the Independent Living movement in Sweden will evaluate the achievements of our international civil rights movement in Sweden, Europe and other parts of the world and plan for tomorrow.
Together with Judy Heumann and Marilyn Golden, USA, Bente Skansgård, Norway, Kalle Könkkölä, Finland, Shoji Nakanishi, Japan, John Evans, UK, Horst Frehe, Germany, Jos Huys, Belgium, representatives of the Swedish movement and allies in administration, research and politics we will discuss successful Independent Living strategies and examples of good practice in our respective countries and regions, look back at our development and set the course for the future.
In plenary sessions and workshops we will share our experiences in working for de-institutionalization, personal assistance, legislation for non-discrimination and accessibility, and for spreading the Independent Living philosophy and approach to other countries. Have we been able to influence social policy, have we had an impact on society’s and our own view of disabled people, has our work led to concrete improvements in our group’s living conditions? How can we better support each other in our struggle for full citizenship, self-determination and self-respect?
The conference is intended for disabled people and their organizations, service providers, civil servants, politicians, researchers and the general public. Expect to leave the event with new friends, insights and impulses.
Adolf Ratzka, Independent Living Institute
Register with Nicoletta Zoannos at nicoletta.zoannos@independentliving.org for participation and help in finding hotel accommodations.
For continually updated information about the conference see www.independentliving.org
We Can Do readers will note that the presenters listed seem to be primarily from developed countries. People from developing countries will want to examine their website and communicate with Nicoletta Zoannos to decide for themselves the extent to which this conference will be relevant to their concerns. (The website, at least, does make some reference to some developing nations.)
Readers might also be interested in reading a paper by Shoji Nakanishi, featured among the presenters at this conference, entitled “Independent Living Movement in Developing Countries.
I received the original announcement for this conference via the IDA_CRPD_Forum listserver and via Ghulam Nabi Nizamani.
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