NPWJ supports Handy Cup 2011 Regata in Malta to promote the role of disabled citizens in the public life of Mediterranean countries

 
 
Download the Press Release in Arabic
 
 
On 9-11 September 2011, the Handy Cup 2011 Partnership Building and Networking Conference, organised by Handy Cup Onlus (Italy) and Inspire Foundation (Malta) will be held in Marsakloxx and Ta’Xbiex, in Malta, with the support of No Peace Without Justice.
 
This three-day international meeting will bring together disabled and socially disadvantaged young people, as well as representatives of groups, associations and institutions dealing with disability issues from almost all around the Mediterranea. The event will include a non-competitive sailing regatta called “We are all in the same boat”, which will be held on Sunday 11 September in Maltese waters.
 
The event aims at increasing public awareness and promoting a multicultural dialogue on three main thematic topics: “Disability and Active Citizenship”, “Disability and Self-Determination” and “The Mediterranean and Disabled Rights”. It is also designed to foster the establishment of a network of projects to meet the requirements and needs of disabled and socially disadvantaged people from the Mediterranean Region.
 
 
Statement by Gianluca Eramo, Coordinator of the MENA Democracy Program of No Peace Without Justice:
 
“No Peace Without Justice is committed to fight against every kind of discrimination and to strengthen and support the active role and participation of all citizens from the Mediterranean Region in the public life of their countries.
 
“It is essential for the international community, government and non-governmental institutions to act in support of measures and initiatives supporting disabled and socially disadvantaged citizens to have a much greater role in making decisions on key issues related to their own needs and priorities.
 
“It is in this spirit that we are bringing our support to this eleventh edition of the Handy Cup Regatta, which we hope will contribute to amplify the voices of those who are too often left aside or excluded, regardless of their disabilities of abilities.  
 
“The advancement of democracy means increasing legal protection of human and civil rights of all citizens. Building open and inclusive societies implies the enhancement of social, cultural and political participation and economic integration of all citizens”.
 
 
For further information, please contact: Gianluca Eramo, email: geramo@npwj.org, phone: +32 2 548 39 29 or Nicola Giovannini on ngiovannini@npwj.org or +32 (0)2 548-3915.