philanthropyOz Blog

The European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability

The European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability, an innovative initiative aimed at promoting the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, was officially launched at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday 1 April 2009.

The Consortium has been created with the aim of bringing together funders and other stakeholders interested in the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Consortium is led by the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and Fundacion ONCE (Spain), with the participation of Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lucca (Italy), Fondation de France, Fondation Calouste Gulbenkian (Portugal), Sabanci Foundation (Turkey), and The Atlantic Philanthropies (Ireland/USA).

The most innovative aspect of the Consortium is that philanthropic foundations will work together with human rights organisations, disability support organisations, legal organisations and other key stakeholders in the field.

Initially created for a two-year period (2009-2010), the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability will organise various activities including: a Symposium on the Legal Capacity of Persons with Disabilities (in Brussels on 4 June 2009); a Seminar on the concept of “reasonable adjustments” at the workplace; and a compilation of best practices on implementing the UN Convention. The Consortium is also coordinating a Study for the European Commission on the challenges and best practices of implementing the UN Convention in the European Union.

For more information visit the EFC website: www.efc.be/projects/disabilities or contact the Consortium Coordinator, Ms Ana Mohedano Escobar, at amohedano@efc.be