70 Greek self-advocates got together to learn how to be a self-advocate. The trainings were aiming to strengthen political participation and digital skills of people with intellectual disabilities.
“That word, self-advocacy, I find it hard to remember. But I learned its meaning – to say openly what I want and for others to listen and respect me.”
This summer, 70 Greek self-advocates got together to learn how to be stronger self-advocates. The trainings aimed to strengthen political participation and digital skills of people with intellectual disabilities.
Two trainings took place in Athens and two in Thessaloniki.
Each training consisted of 25 hours, with sessions covering topics such as:
- Democracy and elections
- European Union and European values
- The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Self-advocacy in theory and in daily life
- Digital skills and the UNITY platform
The sessions combined presentations, role playing, discussions, and creative activities.
Participants learned how to vote and make collective decisions, how to use email and make video calls, and how to stand up for their rights in everyday situations.
“It is difficult to decide together, democratically. It takes more time and sometimes we disagree and argue. But we have a democracy and we have to listen to everyone.”
Building on previous UNITY meetings in Greece, these trainings are important steps in supporting self-advocacy in the country.
They help people with intellectual disabilities to connect with each other, learn about their rights, and gain confidence to speak up.
With its support for people to have knowledge and tools to advocate for themselves, the UNITY project contributes to a stronger self-advocacy movement in Greece and across Europe.
The UNITY project is co-funded by the European Union.