On the first day, the Chair of ENUSP, Olga Kalina, presented an overview of the activities that took place during the past year. Among them were the submission of our Shadow Report for the EU review on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and our submission against the Draft Additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention concerning involuntary treatment and involuntary placement. More information about these activities can be found in the ENUSP Bulletin.
The second day of the seminar was focused on cooperation with other European organisations. We had the opportunity to listen to speakers from Mental Health Europe, the European Patients’ Forum, the European Disability Forum and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. The overview of these organizations’ objectives helped us to better understand where we stand now and set goals for future cooperation and joint action.
The third day was devoted to planning with four different working groups dedicated to ENUSP Strategy, Fundraising, Communication and ENUSP Positions & Representation. Each group had a moderator to lead the discussion, two of whom had previously completed training courses in the areas of Fundraising and Communication) thanks to the kind support of EPF.
We are doing our best to ensure that the enthusiasm of participants during the Empowerment Seminar continues to serve our common goals in the future. People now have a better understanding of the role and objectives of ENUSP, and came up with ideas of how they can better contribute in the future.
Above all, it was a fantastic opportunity to be among peer activists, who share common ground, interests and understand your concerns like no one else.
