The largest ILGA-Europe’s annual conferences concluded in Malta
A successful and the largest ever annual conference of ILGA-Europe concluded in Malta on 1 November. Over 300 people from 48 countries took part in the conference. This is the highest number of participants at ILGA-Europe’s annual conference ever. The theme of this year’s conference was “Overcoming Cultural and Religious Barriers to LGBT Equality”. This year’s annual conference was organised in partnership with Malta Gay Rights Movement.
The topic of the conference and many other issues were debated in two panels, 28 workshops and 12 self-organised spaces. The key note speakers were:
- Ulrike Lunacek, Member of the European Parliament
- 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, Deputy Mayor, City Council of The Hague.
The annual conference has attracted extensive and positive media coverage in Malta. ILGA-Europe’s family posters translated into Maltese and highlighted the challenges LGBT families and their children face due to lack of the legal recognition were displayed in various regions of Malta and thus increased visibility of the topic in the country.
Prior to the conference, representatives of ILGA-Europe’s board and staff had a meeting with Dr George Abela, President of Malta, which was the first time ever head of state hosted ILGA-Europe’s representatives during our annual conference.
Another successful pre-conference event was a Trans Rights Conference which brought together LGBT activists with European policy makes who made a number of specific commitments to fight discrimination against trans people.
The annual conference has elected following individuals as members of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board:
- Martin K.I. Christensen (Denmark) for a 2 year term
- Louise Ashworth (UK) for a 2 year term
- Nataša Sukič (Slovenia) for a 2 year term
- Bjorn van Roosendaal (The Netherlands) for a 2 year term
- Christine Le Doare (France) for a 1 year term
- Paata Sabelashvili (Georgia) for a 2 year term
The remaining four board members for another year are:
- Linda Freimane (Latvia)
- Ruth Baldacchino (Malta)
- Pierre Serne (France)
- Deborah Lambillotte (Belgium)
Tomasz Szypuła (Poland) was elected as reserve member of Executive Board.
The annual conference has also voted to host ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference in 2011 in Turin (Italy).
The next ILGA-Europe’s annual conference in 2010 will take place in The Hague (The Netherlands).
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) This Malta Gay Rights Movement: www.maltagayrights.net
(3) More information about the Annual Conference in Malta is available on our website: www.ilga-europe.org/conference
(4) Detailed reports from panels and workshops, images and videos are available on our website and our facebook page:
