EMPOWERED — Trilateral Conference in Skopje: Strengthening inclusion and employment for persons with disabilities
The trilateral EMPOWERED conference in Skopje, dedicated to empowering and including persons with disabilities, was successfully held with a focus on employment, alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and strengthening regional cooperation. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, embassies, civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, employers, and experts from the region to exchange experiences, good practices, and concrete proposals for further progress. Opening remarks were delivered by: Main themes and panels The conference was structured around three key panels addressing comprehensive aspects of inclusion: Panelists: * Mrs. Monika Trajanova, Member of the Inter-party Parliamentary Group on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Member of Parliament, Republic North Macedonia* Mr. Dejan Gorgievski, Association for Disability and Justice, Republic North Macedonia * Ms. Suada Hawa, National Agency for Employment and Skills, Albania * Mr.Petrit Bllaca – PREDA Plus, KosovoMs. Bardhylka Kospiri, Senior Advocate for Disability Rights, Albania * Mr. Enron Seiti, Help the Life Association, Albania * Mr. Fatmir Sabriu, Secretary of State, Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth RN Macedonia * Mr. Aleksandar Rončević – EMPOWERED project consultant, presentation of survey results* Mrs. Biljana Talevska, Director – Association of Protective Companies of Macedonia* Mr. Zarko Selkvoski, President – National Union of the Blind of the RN Macedonia* Mrs. Vlora Limani Hajnuni, Advisor, Ministry of Justice, R. Kosovo* Mr. Xhenis Beqiri – Down Syndrome Kosovo* Ms. Migena Spaho, Director of Social Services, Municipality of Tirana, Albania* Ms. Doljana Velia, Activist for Disability Rights, Albania Key outcomes and recommendations – The conference produced concrete recommendations to enhance inclusion and employment of persons with disabilities, including: Organizers and support – The event was organized by ASB South East Europe, CDI Macedonia — ИРЗ Македонија, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation and PREDA Plus Foundation. The EMPOWERED project is implemented by ASB and regional partners with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The trilateral EMPOWERED conference in Skopje reaffirmed the importance of joint action to build barrier-free communities and create sustainable employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. In the coming period, it will be essential to implement the recommendations, strengthen partnership mechanisms and continue the dialogue so that inclusion becomes a tangible reality at local and regional levels. Together we build barrier-free communities.