Presentation of the Lisbon Declaration in Brussels

Brussels

February, 2008

Presentation of the Lisbon Declaration in Brussels

“We are the ones to build our future. We need to remove barriers inside ourselves and inside other people without disabilities.” This was the main message presented by the young people in the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon on September 17th, 2007 at the European Hearing organised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education and the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education. This event took place within the framework of Portugal 2007 – Presidency of the European Union.

The views and ideas of young people with special needs from 29 countries on their education presented at this event, have led to the Lisbon Declaration - Young People’s Views on Inclusive Education.

This document is a unique step towards the inclusion of young people in Europe, as it presents a united view from the young people themselves of inclusion beyond a single disability or a single country. In the Lisbon Declaration the young people clearly state their views on their rights, the improvements they have experienced, the challenges they still face and their recommendations to achieve successful inclusion in education. 

As Mr. Valter Lemos, Secretary of State for Education declared: “… We have now the responsibility to make happen what you [the young people] have proposed …”. Following this commitment, the Portuguese Ministry of Education has circulated the Lisbon Declaration to the Ministries of Education in all the participating countries.

As a further step, the Agency is organising an invitation only reception for key decision-makers at the level of the European Union at the Agency Brussels Office on February 27th, 2008. The Agency has invited representatives from the European Commission, members of the European Parliament, members of the Council Committee of Education, Youth and Culture, officials from the country permanent representations towards the EU, as well as key players at European level. Officials representing the Portuguese EU presidency, the Slovenian EU presidency and the French EU presidency are also expected to be present.

On this occasion, Secretary of State Valter Lemos will be there to jointly present the Lisbon Declaration, with the Agency Chairman and Director. Besides receiving information, guests will have the opportunity to view a DVD of the actual event and visit an exhibition, where posters from the young people are displayed. Each poster visualises key statements relating to their personal school life, these statements were used as the basis for the discussions leading to the Lisbon Declaration.

The Lisbon Declaration can be downloaded in 22 languages.

Members of the Press are welcome by prior arrangement. For more information contact brussels.office@european-agency.org