Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conference took place in Tallinn, Estonia from 20 to 22 September 2023. The conference was organised by Evpit and the European Platform of Self-Advocates (EPSA).
Nearly 150 participants from 11 countries talked about what is self-advocacy, how it works in different countries, about the different roles and situations self-advocates are active in, and about the topics important to them.
Participants created a list of demands called Make it Real! – our manifesto.
“We need to work hard for ourselves”
“Our lives must be up to us, we need to make decisions for ourselves,” said Vjatseslav Zagorski, EVPIT board member, during the opening session, as he shared his story of becoming independent after leaving an institution.
“Everyone has the right to make decisions for themselves. We need other people to trust us. We must have a chance to need for help if necessary and receive support. We must learn, make mistakes, and be responsible for our decisions. We need to be listened to.”
Vjatseslav Zagorski opened Hear our Voices! in Tallinn
László Bercse opened the conference of behalf of the European Platform of Self-Advocates:
“We need opportunities to speak up like this conference.
“We need good support. From organisations, families and other self-advocates. We need to learn a lot, and we need to work hard for ourselves. We need to make our voices heard.”
László Bercse at Hear our voices!
László also remember in his speech Lahcen Er Rajaoui, who died recently: “Lahcen was a strong self advocate. He himself was deprived of his right to vote.
“What is his legacy for us? His legacy is to keep fighting for our rights.”
“I always wanted something more. I wanted more education. I am not someone who gives up, I have dreams,” Ivar Merila from Estonia said.
Signe Riisalo, minister of social protection of Estonia, talked about the importance accessibility and easy-to-read for people with intellectual disabilities.
“I learned a lot about the European Union and I made friends. I learned about independent living, my rights, how to support each other and easy to read documents.” David from Hungary shared (on videon) what he learned while being a member of self-advocacy group.
Participants at opening session of Hear our voices! in Tallinn
“It’s important that our voice is always heard. The support from self advocate groups and family is very important, that there is someone who cares on the other side.” Francesco Juarez and Fedele Collu from Italy talked about taking part and being heard. (Read more about their experience in an article in Italian.)
“I was clear what I wanted to do – fight for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities”
On day 2, participants talked about their various experiences as self-advocates:
- The roads to self advocacy
- New ways to find our voice
- Creation of representative bodies at work at the service providers
“It was very difficult for me to be empowered, but once I did I was clear of what I wanted to do – fight for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.” Ana Martínez, Plena inclusión, Spain.
Ana Martínez
Role of families
There was a session where participants talked about these questions: How has your family supported you? What support do family need in your life? Do families support you to take decisions?
Ana Martínez said: “Families rights are also impacted. It is also difficult for them. They also need to be accompanied. It is important to teach families how important it is for people with disabilities to fight for their rights.”
Session participants discuss during Hear our voices! in Tallinn
Self-advocacy in Ukraine
One session of the conference was dedicated to self-advocacy in Ukraine. During the Russian war on Ukraine, self-advocacy activities organised by the VGO Coalition focus on trainings about rights, for example the right to vote. The trainings are done online.
“I came to here to learn from you,” said Anton Onyshchuk, who is a 15-years-old self-advocate from Ukraine.
“I want to become a successful self-advocate and stand for my rights. My friends want this too. We want our voices to be heard.”
Anton Onyshchuk during his session on self-advocacy in Ukraine
Anton also delivered a message from the organisation in Ukraine: “We are grateful to Inclusion Europe for your help, fundraising 630.000 euros to help Ukrainians. And for advocating on EU level to promote deinstitutionalisation while reconstructing Ukraine after the war.”
Self-advocacy in Ukraine session at Hear our voices! in Tallinn
Thinking together about our future
“I grew up in different institutions where my voice was never heard. And then I received support. A good friend of mind suggested I write a book. At first it was very hard. I said I did not want to tell my story. But I wanted to change the world, so I had to.” Elisabeta Moldovan, Romania
“We want our voices to be heard. People to go out of institutions. 16 thousand people are isolated in state institutions. I am part of a monitoring group about deinstitutionalisation. We go in institutions, make a report and then send this report to the ministry of labour.”
Elisabeta Moldovan at Hear our Voices! in Tallinn
“The most important issues for me are racism, discrimination, LGBTQ and democracy. No one should be treated badly. No one should be afraid. All people must have freedom.” Anna Ringstrom, member of youth platform, FUB, Sweden.
Session participants during Hear our Voices in Tallinn
Make it real!
During the last day of the conference, everyone worked together in groups to share what they learned and what they want in the future.
Participants created a list of demands called Make it Real! – our manifesto.
Group discussion at Hear our Voices in Tallinn
“Self-advocates are always needed”
László closed the conference, talking about the importance of self-advocacy: “I believe that self-advocates are always needed, especially in difficult times.
“I believe that self-advocates can build a link between decision-makers and people with intellectual disabilities.
“The CRPD is a very important tool in our hands, to fight for our rights.”
László Bercse at Hear our voices!
“A real role model”
The very last moments of the conference were dedicated to Elisabeta Moldovan. Elisabeta has been an active self-advocate at European level for a long time. Now her term working with EPSA comes to end. Elisabeta will continue her work in Romania.
“Eli has been one of the leaders of EPSA, but her mandate has now expired,” László said.
“She has been through very difficult times, but she has not given up. She is fighting for people with disabilities to leave institutions, as she did herself after spending most of her life in institutions.
“I think she is a real role model. We have all learned a lot from her. And we will continue to learn from her. I am not saying goodbye to her now. I am sure that we will continue to meet at events and we will continue to work together whenever we can.”
László hugs Elisabeta as he thanks her for her self-advocacy in Europe.
Save the date: Next conference is Europe in Action in May 2024.
Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conference was co-funded by the European Union.
