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Leadership and advocacy in disability rights – Conversation with Connie Laurin-Bowie, Inclusion Europe Radio

Connie Laurin-Bowie, Executive Director of Inclusion International, sat down with Milan Šveřepa after the Global Disability Summit in Berlin.

What Connie and Milan talk about:

  • Importance of self-advocacy,
  • Progress on issues such as deinstitutionalisation and inclusive education,
  • Need for practical tools in advocacy, to change from “raising awareness” to being engaged in policy implementation,
  • How plain language helps in participation.

Connie also talks about leadership in the Inclusion movement.

And about her upcoming role with the Disability Rights Fund. Connie steps down as Executive Director of Inclusion International on 14 April, for her new job as Director of the Disability Rights Fund

Finally, Milan and Connie discuss the plans and expectations for the World Congress of Inclusion International.

In this episode

00:00 Introduction and welcome

00:13 Global Disability Summit insights

01:50 Challenges and achievements in advocacy

02:33 The Role of self-advocates

05:25 Future directions and leadership

12:40 Importance of clear communication

14:32 Ongoing Issues and future challenges

19:15 Development challenges and knowledge sharing

20:10 Advocacy and practical solutions

21:04 Inclusive education and government criticism

23:33 Simplifying communication and expertise

26:03 Future leadership and network investment

30:44 New role and disability rights fund

33:37 World Congress and future plans

Listen to their conversation here.

Listen to more of Inclusion Europe Radio.