ENIL Press Release: The Strasbourg Study Session to Empower Future Leaders of Independent Living Movement

Dublin and Strasbourg, 22 October - Starting today, the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and the Youth Department of the Council of Europe are bringing together a group of young people with disabilities from across Europe for a week-long Study Session entitled "Supporting Young Disabled People to Become Future Leaders of the Independent Living Movement". The study session, taking place at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg will run until 28^th October 2012, and will involve 36 participants from 11 European countries.

ENIL's study session aims to encourage and support young people with disabilities to advocate for Human Rights and Independent Living in their individual countries but also on a European Level. Led by a team of young facilitators, all of whom are experienced independent living advocates, the participants will discuss and learn about a range of topics including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, working with the media and personal assistance. Throughout the week, there will be many opportunities to share personal experiences and discover more about the lives of young people with disabilities in other European countries.

A special focus of the study session will be on leadership skills. In the words of Jamie Bolling, ENIL's Executive Director: "Young people are ENIL's future! I am excited to see that we have obtained our goal of having this study session! ENIL and Europe need an active youth to promote Human Rights and Independent Living!".

One of ENIL's main priorities is to increase the involvement of young people with disabilities in the Independent Living Movement. For this reason, ENIL hopes that this week in Strasbourg will provide participants with some of the skills to become tomorrow' s Independent Living leaders and empower young people with disabilities in general to become active in the movement. One of the outcomes of the week-long study session will be the creation of an ENIL Youth Network. Based on the participants' input into its aims, structure and future activities, this will be an Independent Living Youth Network created by young people for young people.

For further information about the study session and ENIL's work with young people, please contact secretariat@enil.eu.

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