ILGA-Europe to meet President of Malta during its annual conference
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”. One of the conference’s highlights is going to be a meeting between His Excellency Dr George Abela, President of Malta, and representatives of ILGA-Europe.
The purpose of ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference is two-fold:
Firstly, this is a unique opportunity for LGBT activists across all of 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 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 (Austria)
· Francis Agius, Member of Maltese Parliament, head of Maltese Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
· Belinda Pyke, European Commission, Director of Equality between Men / Women, Action against Discrimination, Civil Society Directorate of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
· Dr Louis Galea, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Malta
· Evarist Bartolo, Member of Maltese Parliament, Labour Party
· Vladimir Luxuria, former member of the Italian Parliament, journalist
· Juris Cālītis, pastor of the Anglican Church, Latvia
· Frits Huffnagel, Alderman, City Council of The Hague
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 contributions 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.
Another significant event taking place in Malta prior to ILGA-Europe’s annual conference - a meeting of over 20 officials of various national governments specialising on LGBT equality issues. The purpose of that meeting is to share information, experience and knowledge, and to keep on track with the latest policy developments in Europe in regard to the equal rights and dignity of LGBT people.
This year’s Annual Conference is organised in partnership with Malta Gay Rights Movement.
Martin K.I. Christensen, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, said:
“We look forward to see our members here in Malta to discuss the main theme of the conference and finding strategies and practical solutions on how various cultures, religious backgrounds and sexual/gender identities can be peacefully coexisting within diverse Europe. Malta is a great place to have such debates as her geographical position and cultural heritage embodies such fusion.”
Linda Freimane, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, added:
“We are very happy to host our annual conference in Malta this year and are looking forward to meet the President of Malta and other politicians. Our conference is a chance to have productive debates with the national politicians on how to advance the rights and social situation for LGBT people and we hope our presence in Malta will contribute to this advance.”
Another reason we are delighted to be in Malta is to congratulate the country and its politicians with the fact that Malta is the only country in the European Union from which absolutely all Members of the European Parliament have signed ILGA-Europe’s Pledge during the European Elections earlier this year. We hope this is a positive signal that Malta is on its way of embracement of full equality for LGBT people in the country and across Europe”.
Ends
For more information please contact
Juris Lavrikovs at + 32 496 708 375
Notes for editors:
(1) ILGA-Europe is the European Region of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and works for equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & intersex 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
(4) Further information about ILGA-Europe European Parliament Election 2008 campaign: www.ilga-europe.org/EuropeanElections2009
(5) Regular updates from the Annual Conference will be posted on our website and facebook page:
