"From Strasbourg to Dublin"
A statement from the European Network on Independent Living on
the Dublin Symposium
Symposium: "Disability Investment not Burden".
Dublin 28-30 March 1995.
The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) congratulates the Ireland
CIL and its organisers of the Symposium entitled "Disability Investment
not Burden" for staging such a stimulating and successful international
conference. It was an admirable achievement bringing together many Independent
Living experts and designing a significant and varied programme.
As well as being an event rich in presentations, contributions and workshops,
it brought together Independent Living activists from many European countries
making it a valuable exchange forum on ideas and direct experiences around
the Independent Living movement and other disability issues. It was an ideal
opportunity to further views on these important subjects in what was a dynamic
inter-active occasion.
This conference relit the fire and spirit of Strasbourg, which is where
ENIL was formed in 1989. The Independent Living Movement has again been
fired with enthusiasm to proceed collectively in the pursuit of our goals
of developing Independent Living initiatives throughout Europe and particularly
in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. The movement has reaffirmed its
commitment to these tasks and our common objectives of supporting our own
grass-roots developments in our own countries.
We also fully support the proposed CIL Ireland project of establishing a
European Centre of Excellence and Disability Studies for the research and
development of Independent Living initiatives, and disability projects in
Europe in close co-operation with ENIL and its activities. We look forward
to working together with you in this exciting endeavour and challenge, by
sharing our expertise in the positive development of IL resources and the
overall progress of the project by ultimately empowering disabled people
to take control of their own lives.
20th April 1995. From the Board of ENIL.
European Network on Independent Living
John D Evans, ENIL Board Member, 54 Grange Road, Petersfield Hants, GU32
3NE
Telephone 44-1730 268586, Fax 44-1730 268586