Seventh European Congress for Persons with Disabilities “Living in Encounter”, whose sponsor is also Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, will take place in Belgrade, from 31 May to 3 June, 2018, as it was announced at the press conference in Media Center.

After biggest Central European capitals like Berlin, Brussels, Vienna and Prague, Belgrade was elected as the city that has reached a prominent level in respecting of rights of persons with disabilities, and therefore will be hosting such event for the first time in history. This year, Congress will gather several hundred participants from 11 countries – Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Holland, France, Russia, Great Britain, Slovenia and Serbia.

Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic said that knowledge, mutual understanding, networking and continuous removal of all obstacles for persons with disabilities are key for improvement of their position and that the congress at this level presents an opportunity for us to be in line with all European standards for the improvement of the position of persons with disabilities. Commissioner stated that it is also a chance to promote Belgrade and Serbia and present our cultural heritage to guests from Europe.

The panel “Inclusion at the labor market – where is the stumbling stone?” dedicated to problems and perspectives for employment of persons with disabilities in Serbia, was announced at the press conference. Panel will be open for the public and will be held on Friday, 1 June, at 2 p.m. in Crowne Plaza hotel.

Other speakers at the press conference were also Thomas Kraus, founder of European Congress for Persons with Disabilities “Living in Encounter” and Dejan Kozic, director of Association for Helping Persons with Developmental Difficulties “We Live Together”.