On 12 April, Patricia was in Brussels to attend the LevelUp! event. The capacity-building event, organised by the European Youth Forum in partnership with the European Parliament and the European Commission, gathers young activists from across Europe to help them amplify and boost their action. This edition, falling on the year of the European election, was focused on democratic participation and the right to vote.
During the event, experts and organisations shared experiences, opinions and knowledge with over 1300 young Europeans who are working to bring positive change on causes that hold a particular importance for young people. Participants were empowered to learn and exchange ideas and best practices in various skill categories, such as communication, advocacy and event organising, to gain skills and experience and take their activism to their next level.
Patricia believes the event is a great learning experience for her and all the European youth involved in social causes. She shared with us some of its highlights: “we have participated to discussions with leaders and representatives, and shared our ideas with them and the other participants on the importance of the European policies and on what the European Union can do to better support the full inclusion of persons with disabilities. We have also discussed inclusion and accessibility at the local level, for instance increasing the number of ramps outside public and private buildings to make them accessible for wheelchair users, accessible pedestrian signals for persons with visual impairments, and devices facilitating access for deaf or visually impaired people”.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to share views and ideas for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the political life, and to meet great activists for the rights of persons with disabilities and LGBTQI+ rights from all over Europe!”
