On Thursday, March 21st, 2024, World Youth Alliance Europe hosted the “International Down Syndrome Day Conference: Self Advocacy of People with Trisomy 21” organized in the European Parliament. The conference, conducted in a hybrid format, brought together a total of 32 participants, with 21 attending in person and 11 joining remotely.
The esteemed guests and speakers at the World Down Syndrome Day Conference included MEP Patryk Jaki as the host, Anna Kedziorek Ramirez representing the European Commission, and Dinka Vuković, the president of the European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA), Jose Gutierrez Caballero, the vice-president of EDSA, Ms Mar Galceran and Ms Andrea Halder, active members of EDSA living with Trisomy 21.
The conference began with a presentation by Ms Dinka Vuković, President of EDSA, who introduced the work of the European Down Syndrome Association. Following her presentation, Mr José Guitiérrez Caballero, Vice-President of EDSA, joined the discussion online, providing further insights into the topic of “Auto-Determination and Decision-Making for Individuals with Trisomy 21”.
Following Mr Guitiérrez’s presentation, we had the opportunity to learn from Ms Mar Galcerán through her video message. Ms Anna Kedziorek Ramirez, Policy Officer for Disability and Social Inclusion at the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion, proceeded by delivering a comprehensive presentation on the “EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 – towards inclusion and participation.”
MEP Patryk Jaki concluded the event with a brief speech titled “Democratic Life of Individuals with Trisomy 21,” followed by an open panel session where participants could further inquire and discuss various aspects of the topics addressed throughout the conference.
In closing the International Down Syndrome Day Conference, Ms. Myriam Kaufmann, Regional Director of the WYA Europe, expressed gratitude to all attendees and extended an invitation for future collaboration with WYAE.