Freedom Drive 2009 - Main Page
Thursday, 16 July 2009 Last Updated ( Monday, 18 January 2010 )
The Strasbourg Freedom Drive is a rally to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg.
It is an opportunity for people with disabilities from all European
countries to join together and unite at the European Parliament
in Strasbourg, where we will meet MEPs of different countries,
the forthcoming Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament, and
representatives of other key EU institutions.
Press contact 14th to 17th Sep: +33 (0) 642 589618 or 648 524275
Programme
Sunday, 13th September 2009
Arrival of participants
Monday, 14th September 2009
All-day: Arrival of participants
10 – 17:30 h: Conference: " Independent Living with Personal Assistance – Implementing Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities"(Please have a look at the separate agenda)
17 h Launch of ECCL position paper "Focus Report on Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities"
The European Coalition for Community Living (ECCL) Focus Report on Article 19 of the CRPD sets out the key steps for implementing the right to live in the community. It provides detailed commentary on Article 19, including its huge potential to bring about change to the lives of people with disabilities in Europe and possible challenges in achieving such change.
18 – 19 h: Meeting of national coordinators with organisers from CIL Dublin and ENIL to make final preparations
Tuesday, 15th September 2009
10 – 13 h: Welcoming of Freedom Drivers and introductions at the European Youth Centre (see below) in Strasbourg Review of developments in Europe during the last 20 years, building the spirit of the Freedom Drive and introduce the participants to the demands
Introduction of the national groups
13 – 14 h: Lunch break: opportunity to have lunch at the European Youth Centre or elsewhere on an individual basis, national groups will have to be at Parliament two hours ahead of their meeting.
14 – 17 h: National Groups meet their MEPs at the Parliament
already confirmed:
Belgium 14:00 in room TBC
Germany 15:00 h in room N 3.3.
Ireland 14:00 – 15:00 room N 4.3
Latvia 14:00 – 16:30 room N 3.2
Sweden 14:30 - 16:30 room Louise Weiss, S2.1
Slovenia 14:00 to 16:30 room R -1.2.
Wednesday, 16th September 2009
10 h: Freedom Drive Rally to the European Parliament, where our demands will be handed over to the President of the European Commission. The meeting and starting point for Freedom Drivers is at the Parc du Contades (see below for route )
13 – 14 h: individual lunch break: You may have lunch at the European Youth Centre or elsewhere in town. Participants for the joint session will have to be at the Louise Weiss Entrance of the EU Parl.(click for map) by 13:00 for security checks; packed lunch is recommended.
15 – 17 h: Joint session in collaboration with EDF
The MEP Richard Howitt, the President of the European Parliament Disability Intergroup will be chairing the ENIL meeting:“Freedom Drive – Making the Rights of persons with disabilities a reality in Europe”The meeting will take place on the 16th of September from 15:00-17:00 at the Parliament and amongst the people attending there will be Members of the European Parliament and ENIL Members.(related article: Freedom Drivers in the Parliament )
approx. 16:20 h Handing over of 8 demands to Jerzy Buzek, President of the EU Parliament
18 h – open end: Celebration of ENIL's birthday: looking back on 20 years of ENIL and looking ahead to the next 20 with barbecue and entertainment at the European Youth Centre
Thursday, 17th September 2009
10 – 13 h: Evaluation, follow-up, future actions of the Freedom Drive: Round table with interested participants and national coordinators to discuss results of the Freedom Drive and prepare further actions at the European Youth Centre
All-day: Departure of Freedom Drivers
Friday, 18th September
Departure of Freedom Drivers
National Coordinators (Persons from different countries that will lead a group of Freedom Drivers to Strasbourg)
Information about accessible hotels in Strasbourg (doc)
Information about accessible transport from Strasbourg airport and in Strasbourg (doc)
Information about transport from Paris to Strasbourg (doc)
General information for participants (pdf)
The route we are taking from Parc du Contades to the European Parliament
European Youth Centre, the place of the conference (Mon 14th), the introduction (Tue 15th) and barbecue (Wed 16th)
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All Freedoms Drives from 2003 to 2009 have been taped.
In the videos, you will see the Freedom Drivers on their way to the Parliament, you will hear the speeches given by key figures of the Independent Living Movement. You will see the President of the EU Parliament and Members of Parliament.
2009: http://vimeo.com/7847969
2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkClzVv_UdE&feature=PlayList&p=5CA9E29F4AC567C4&index=0&playnext=1
2005:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQfP68uDwo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZU-tI5_MX4
2003
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I48PwNd-Y_k&feature=PlayList&p=1EA7D30A869A947A&index=0&playnext=1
“This Project has been funded with support from the EuropeanUnion under the Europe for Citizens Programme”
