Conference promotes dialogue and action for the rights of people with disabilities and reinforces the commitment of PASCAL and the European Union to inclusion and citizen participation.
As part of the Project to Support Civil Society and Local Administration in Angola (PASCAL), the conference “Participation of People with Disabilities in Local Governance” was held, followed by a practical workshop. The event, which was attended by more than 150 participants, took place at UCAN – Michael LeMoyne Kennedy University Extension Building, in Luanda, and was marked by interactive discussions and the exchange of enriching experiences.
Pablo López, Director of PASCAL, opened the conference by highlighting the commitment to ensuring accessibility and inclusion in public administration. “Inclusion is a moral and practical imperative for sustainable development,” he stressed.
H.E. Mrs. Rosário Pais, European Union Ambassador, reiterated the European Union’s ongoing commitment to inclusion for all. “The 2030 Agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), spread over 169 targets that must be achieved by 2030, under the commitment to ‘leave no one behind’. In this context, the EU recognizes the crucial role of people with disabilities in building a more inclusive and sustainable world. This year, we updated the Disability Roadmap for the fifth time, which guides our work in this field. In Angola, our priority mission includes strengthening, empowering and promoting the participation of all citizens, based on inclusion and knowledge.”
Among those present were names such as Juodkaitè Dovilè, President of the Lithuanian Forum of People with Disabilities, Micael Daniel, National Director for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities, António Pedro, President of the National Association of University Students with Disabilities (ANEUD) and Idalina Bota, Executive Director of LARDEF. The presentations brought practical examples of inclusion and active participation of people with disabilities in the formulation of public policies.
This event is another milestone in the efforts of PASCAL, funded by the European Union, to promote participatory and inclusive governance in Angola, strengthening interaction between civil society and local administrations.
