ILGA-Europe opens media accreditation for its Annual Conference in Malta
On 29 October – 1 November 2009, ILGA-Europe holds its 13th Annual Conference (31st ILGA European Annual Conference) in Malta. The title of this conference is “Overcoming Religious and Cultural Barriers to LGBT Equality”.
The purpose of ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference is two-fold:
Firstly, this a unique opportunity for LGBT activists across Europe to get together and discuss common problems and challenges, share experiences and best practices on tackling discrimination and advancing equality and human rights for LGBT people, as well as celebrating achievements and sketching future projects, strategies and tactics.
Secondly, this is also ILGA-Europe’s Annual General Meeting when ILGA European members approve the activity and financial reports from ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board for the past year, elect the new board members and discuss other organisational issues.
This year the participants will be addressed by two panels of speakers, which include:
- Ulrike Lunacek, Member of the European Parliament,
- Vladimir Luxuria, former member of the Italian Parliament and a journalist,
- Juris Cālītis, pastor of the Anglican Church of Latvia.
- Francis Agius, head of Maltese delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
- Frits Huffnagel, Alderman of The Hague City Council.
We are still in process of negotiations and expect further confirmations from more high profile and stimulating speakers.
The conference theme will be explored in over 30 different workshops covering the themes from religion and culture to European policy, combating hate crimes, asylum and transgender rights. Officials from the European Union, the OSCE, Scottish and Dutch governments, academics from Spain and UK have confirmed their contribution to these workshops.
Our Annual Conference precedes by the Trans Rights Conference. This is the largest trans rights conference that is taking place at European level this year, bringing together around 150 activists and decision makers from across Europe. The conference looks towards policy and legislation development at both European and national level, and aims to identify good practices that will then be used by ILGA-Europe and Transgender Europe in their lobby and advocacy work for full trans equality at European level. The evening programme of the conference will provoke the participants to rethink the politics of gender through a performance and a photographic exhibition on the theme.
In order to obtain accreditation for media pass, please send a completed Media Registration Form (below) with proof of credentials. You will also find below provisional programme of our Annual Conference and the Trans Conference.
Ends
For more information please contact
International media:
Juris Lavrikovs
+ 32 2 609 54 16 / + 32 496 708 375
Maltese media:
Bernard Muscat
Telephone: 7905 8563
Notes for editors:
(1) ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association (ILGA) and works for equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Europe: www.ilga-europe.org
(2) More information about the Annual Conference in Malta is available on our website: www.ilga-europe.org/conference
(3) This conference is organised in partnership with Malta Gay Rights Movement: www.maltagayrights.net
