General Introduction
The co-hosts of the Global Disability Summit 2025 (GDS2025) have recommended the organisation of regional pre-summits. These gatherings aim to stimulate international collaboration and place emphasis on region-specific dialogues on international cooperation and humanitarian action that will ultimately lead to the establishment of GDS2025 commitments.
Thus, the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the European Disability Forum (EDF), and the German Disability Council (DBR) are organizing a High-Level European Regional Disability Summit in Berlin, Germany, including the option to participate online via accessible livestream.
The aim of this summit will be to raise awareness and discuss the importance of inclusive international cooperation and humanitarian action with partners from greater Europe and Central Asia in collaboration with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). The summit aims to address the implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to ensure comprehensive advancements in disability rights.
Participation in Berlin – registration open!
The Summit will take place on Friday, 6 December 2024, from 09:30 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. followed by a get-together until 08:00 p.m. with dinner and networking opportunities at the bcc Berlin Congress Center, Alexanderstraße 11, 10178 Berlin, Germany.
If you want to participate in Berlin, please register here: Registration Link for Participation in Berlin
Online Participation – registration open!
If you want to participate online, you do not have to register as the livestreams will be publicly accessible on the Summit’s website with no password necessary. However, if you like to be put on the mailing list to receive further information for online-participation and a reminder ahead of the Summit, please register here: Registration Link for Online Participation
Languages and Accessibility
The conference language is English. Interpretations will be provided into German and Russian. Moreover, the event offers the following accommodations:
- sign language (International sign, German and Russian sign language)
- closed captioning (English, German and Russian)
- easy language (English, German)
- audio description (English, German, Russian)
- induction loops
The venue is wheelchair-accessible.
When you register for the event, please let us know if you require any accommodations to ensure equal participation.
For online-participation, there will be various livestreams catering to the different language and accommodation needs. When you register you can choose which livestream option you prefer.
Programme and Information
To find more programme details and information regarding the different timeslots and sequences, please click on the headlines.
09:30 a.m. Registration & Reception (90 min.)
We recommend arriving early for a relaxed registration process and attending the morning reception. There is not only the possibility to network with other participants from all over Europe and Central Asia, but also various information stands by Organisations of Persons with Disabilities on-site welcoming you before the official stage programme starts. Last but not least, breakfast snacks and drinks are provided in the morning.
11:00 a.m. Plenary Session 1: Introduction & Overview (90 min.)
- 11:00 a.m.
- Opening performance by Theater Thikwa
- 11:05 a.m.
- Introduction by moderator Ninia LaGrande
- 11:15 a.m.
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Opening Remarks
- Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
- Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
- Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, Greece
- 11:35 a.m.
- Video message: "Visions for international cooperation and humanitarian action for people with disabilities" by various voices from Greater Europe and Central Asia
- 11:40 a.m.
-
Presentation: "About the Global Disability Summit 2025"
- Nawaf Kabbara, President, International Disability Alliance, Lebanon
- 11:50 a.m.
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Panel: “Role and goal of the European Regional Disability Summit”
- Soufiane El Amrani, Self-Advocate/Accessibility Expert, Inclusion Europe
- Gulmira Kazakunova, Chairperson, Public Association "Ravenstvo" The Union of People with Disabilities, Kyrgyz Republic
- Sara Rocha, Vice-chair, Women’s Committee, European Disability Forum, Portugal
- Moderator: Nadia Hadad, Executive Committee Member, European Disability Forum, Belgium
- 12:25 p.m.
- Outlook by moderator Ninia LaGrande
12:30 p.m. Lunch break (90 min.)
We offer a long lunch break for everyone having plenty of time to eat, chat, network, visit information stands and relax to refuel for the second plenary session. The catering offered takes different food preferences and allergies into account. All dishes will be labelled. If you are unsure, please ask our service staff.
02:00 p.m. Plenary Session 2: Discussions (90 min.)
- 02:00 p.m.
- Inclusive Mindfulness / Yoga with Mechthild Kreuser, 1st Session
- 02:05 p.m.
- Information by moderator Ninia LaGrande
- 02:10 p.m.
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Panel: "Regional Inclusive Development: Challenges & Opportunities"
- Esma Gumberidze, Human Rights Defender, former Youth Representative to the United Nations, Georgia
- Lyazzat Kaltayeva, Deputy of the Senate, Kazakh Parliament, Kazakhstan
- Mary Keogh, Chair, International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), Ireland
- Niklas Saxen, Senior Humanitarian Adviser, Development Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland
- Moderator: Dr. Ola Abualghaib, Head – Technical Secretarian, (UNPRPD) Fund, USA
- 02:45 p.m.
- Inclusive Mindfulness / Yoga with Mechthild Kreuser, 2nd Session
- 02:50 p.m.
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Panel: "Disability Rights in Times of Crisis: War, Climate & Disasters in Europe and Central Asia"
- Joanna Darmanin, Head of Unit – Humanitarian Aid Thematic Policies and International Humanitarian Law within the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), Belgium
- Sergey Drosdovsky, Human Rights Defender, Office of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Belarus
- Uliana Pcholkina, Chairperson, Leage of the Strong, Ukraine
- Davud Rahimli, President, Union of Disabled People Organizations (UDPO) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Azerbaijan
- Moderator: Emina Ćerimović, Associate Director, Disability Rights Division, Human Rights Watch, USA
- 03:25 p.m.
- Outlook by moderator Ninia LaGrande
03:30 p.m. Coffee break (60 min.)
Another generous coffee break in the afternoon will give you another opportunity to recharge your batteries. Maybe you like to use our quiet room to relax or you just take the chance to network and chat with other participants and exhibitors.
04:30 p.m. Plenary Session 3: Discussions & Outlook (90 min.)
- 04:30 p.m.
- Campaign video: “Assume that I can” by CoorDown and SMALL agency and video message from Madison Tevlin, main character of the “Assume that I can” campaign
- 04:35 p.m.
- Information by moderator Ninia LaGrande
- 04:40 p.m.
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Panel: “Driving Regional Commitments: Advancing Disability-Inclusive Development”
- Caroline Casey, Co-Founder & Creator, The Valuable 500, Ireland
- Nora Shabani, Education Specialist, UNICEF, Switzerland
- Dr. Annette Tabbara LL.M., Head of Department V, Participation and Concerns of Persons with Disabilities, Social Compensation and Social Assistance, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
- Rebekka Weiß, Head of Regulatory Policy, Senior Manager Government Affairs, Microsoft, Berlin
- Moderator: Sofia Isari, President, European Union of the Deaf, Greece
- 05:25 p.m.
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Presentation: “Unified Voices: Outcome document for GDS 2025”
- Gunta Anča, Vice President, European Disability Forum, Latvia
- Lydia Vlagsma, Co-chair, Youth Committee, European Disability Forum, Netherlands
- Graphic Recording: Anne Lehmann
- 05:45 p.m.
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Closing Remarks
- Hannelore Loskill, Chairwoman of the Speakers’ Council of the German Disability Council, Germany
- His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan
06:00 p.m. Get-together (120 min.)
To round off the European Regional Disability Summit, we will end the day with dinner, drinks and more networking opportunities. We are looking forward to getting this diverse audience together - also aside from the official plenary sessions - to form strong bonds, pushing inclusive international cooperation and humanitarian action in the Greater European Region and Central Asia.
Travel and Accommodation
The venue - bcc Berlin Congress Center (bcc) - is located in the heart of Berlin and thus, easily accessible by public transportation (Alexanderplatz, wheelchair-accessible station). This includes various lines of the Berlin S-Bahn, U-Bahn and tram. Long-distance trains also stop at this station. Alexanderplatz is less than 10 minutes from Berlin Central station. The venue is only a few minutes from Alexanderplatz station.
Tickets for Tram and S- and U-Bahn in Berlin can be purchased via BVG ticket machines, customer centers and shops or the BVG Ticket-App. The different options are listed here:
BVG Ticket Information
If there are public transport disruptions during the day, you can track it here:
BVG Traffic Information
If you cannot use public transport due to because of your disability, please get in touch with the organisation team (erds@bmas.bund.de) and we will find a suitable solution.
There is no free parking space at the venue. However, paid parking is available in the immediate vicinity, e. g. at the underground car park of the shopping centre opposite: “Alexa” - Grunerstraße 20 - 10179 Berlin. The car park is open all day and night. Parking costs 20 euros per day. Important for wheelchair buses: Large buses do not fit in the car park and cars must not be higher than 1.95 meters. If you have a larger vehicle, please contact the organisation team to arrange a suitable solution: erds@bmas.bund.de.
We recommend that you reserve your accommodation for the European Regional Disability Summit in good time. You are welcome to use the hotel contingents reserved by us for participants of the Summit at an early stage. You can find more information for booking your accommodation, including accessibility information, when you click on the following listed hotels. If you have questions or need assistance for booking your hotel room, please contact the organisation team: erds@bmas.bund.de.
Premier Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz Hotel
- Adress:
- Theanolte-Bähnisch-Straße 2, 10178 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- GroupsNord@whitbread.com
- Phone:
- +49 698 500 690
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 131,90 euros, including breakfast. Please make your reservation by e-mail with the password ‘ERDS’. The offer is valid while stocks last and until 24 October 2024.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 550m
More information: Link to Premier Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz Hotel
Motel ONE Berlin Alexanderplatz
- Address:
- Grunerstraße 11, 10179 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- berlin-alexanderplatz@motel-one.com
- Phone:
- +49 30 209 697 80
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 131,35 euros or double rooms at 169,25 euros, including breakfast. Please make your reservation by sending the following form by e-mail with the password ‘ERDS’: Download MOTEL ONE Alexanderplatz booking form (barrier-free, interactive PDF).
The offer is valid while stocks last and until 7 November 2024.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 550m
Hampton by Hilton Berlin Alexanderplatz
- Address:
- Otto-Braun-Straße 69, 10178 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- info@hamptonberlin-alex.de
- Phone:
- +49 30 213 085 55
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 166,95 euros, including breakfast.
There are also some wheelchair-accessible and barrier-free rooms. When making your booking enquiry, please specify exactly what you need for a smooth stay.
Please make your reservation by clicking on the following link: Booking link Hampton by Hilton. The offer is valid while stocks last and until 7 November 2024.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 600m
More information: Link to Hampton by Hilton Berlin Alexanderplatz
Cosmo Hotel Berlin Mitte
- Address:
- Spittelmarkt 13, 10117 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- reservation@cosmo-hotel.de
- Phone:
- +49 30 585 822 22
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 140,00 euros (Comfort room) and 150,00 euros (Deluxe room), including breakfast.
There are also some wheelchair-accessible Comfort rooms. When making your booking enquiry, please specify exactly what you need for a smooth stay.
Please make your reservation by clicking on the following link: Booking link Cosmo Hotel Berlin Mitte. The offer is valid while stocks last and until 11 November 2024.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 1,9km
Transport connections by public transport: 260m to metro station U Spittelmarkt. Then line U2 to S+U Pankow. Get off at Alexanderplatz (3 stops). Then 270m until event location. All stations are accessible by lift.
Motel ONE Berlin Hauptbahnhof
- Address:
- Invalidenstraße 54, 10557 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- berlin-hauptbahnhof@motel-one.com
- Phone:
- +49 30 3641005-0
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 131,35 euros or double rooms at 169,25 euros, including breakfast.
There are also some wheelchair-accessible and barrier-free rooms. When making your booking enquiry, please specify exactly what you need for a smooth stay.
Please make your reservation by sending the following form by e-mail with the password ‘ERDS’: Download MOTEL ONE Hauptbahnhof booking form (barrier-free, interactive PDF).
The offer is valid while stocks last and until 7 November 2024.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 4km
Transport connections by public transport: 250m to Berlin Central Station (S-Bahn). Then take one of the following lines: S3 (Erkner), S5 (Strausberg Nord), S7 (Ahrensfelde) or S9 (Flughafen BER). Get off at Alexanderplatz (3 stops). Then 270m until event location. All stations are accessible by lift.
Motel ONE Berlin Bellevue
- Address:
- Paulstraße 21, 10557 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- berlin-bellevue@motel-one.com
- Phone:
- +49 30 3906334-0
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 93,45 euros, breakfast not included (16,90 euros extra).
There are also some wheelchair-accessible and barrier-free rooms. When making your booking enquiry, please specify exactly what you need for a smooth stay.
Please make your reservation by sending the following form by e-mail with the password ‘ERDS’: Download MOTEL ONE Bellevue booking form (barrier-free, interactive PDF).
The offer is valid while stocks last and until 7 November 2024.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 4,7km
Transport connections by public transport: 550m to train station Bellevue (S-Bahn). Then take one of the following lines: S3 (Erkner), S5 (Strausberg Nord), S7 (Ahrensfelde) or S9 (Flughafen BER). Get off at Alexanderplatz (4 stops). Then 270m until event location. All stations are accessible by lift.
Vienna House Easy by Wyndham Berlin
- Address:
- Storkower Str. 162, 10407 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- reservation.easy-berlin@hrg-hotels.com
- Phone:
- +49 30 6664440
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 109,00 euros or double rooms at 119,00 euros, including breakfast.
There are also some wheelchair-accessible rooms. When making your booking enquiry, please specify exactly what you need for a smooth stay.
Please make your reservation by sending the following form by e-mail with the password ‘BMAS 2024’: Download Vienna House Easy by Wyndham booking form (barrier-free, interactive PDF).
The offer is valid while stocks last and until 28 October 2024.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 3,5km
Transport connections by public transport: 150m to tram station Landsberger Allee. Then take one of the following lines: M5 (Lünebürger Str.) or M6 (S Hackescher Markt). Get off at Alexanderplatz (5 stops). Then 270m until event location.
More information: Link to Vienna House Easy by Wyndham Berlin
Meliá Berlin
- Address:
- Friedrichstraße 103, 10117 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- melia.berlin@melia.com
- Phone:
- +49 30 2060790118
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 209,00 euros or double rooms at 224,00 euros, including breakfast. The offer is valid while stocks last and until 31 October 2024.
There are also some wheelchair-accessible rooms. If you would like to book a wheelchair-accessible room, please make your reservation by email: melia.berlin@melia.com. When making your booking enquiry, please specify exactly what you need for a smooth stay.
If you don’t need a wheelchair-accessible room, please make your reservation using the following link: Booking link Meliá Berlin.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 2,3km
Transport connections by public transport: 55m to train station Berlin-Friedrichstraße (S-Bahn). Then take one of the following lines: S3 (Erkner), S5 (Strausberg Nord), S7 (Ahrensfelde) or S9 (Flughafen BER). Get off at Alexanderplatz (2 stops). Then 270m until event location. All stations are accessible by lift.
INNSiDE Berlin Mitte
- Address:
- Chausseestraße 33, 10115 Berlin
- E-Mail:
- innside.berlin.mitte@melia.com
- Phone:
- +49 30 41 472 30
In this hotel a limited number of single rooms are available at an overnight rate of 149,00 euros or double rooms at 164,00 euros, including breakfast. The offer is valid while stocks last and until 31 October 2024.
There are also some wheelchair-accessible and barrier-free rooms. If you would like to book a wheelchair-accessible or barrier-free room, please make your reservation by email: innside.berlin.mitte@melia.com. When making your booking enquiry, please specify exactly what you need for a smooth stay.
If you don’t need a wheelchair-accessible or barrier-free room, please make your reservation using the following link: Booking link INNSiDE Berlin Mitte.
Distance to the event location (bcc Berlin Congress Center): 3,1km
Transport connections by public transport: 210m to metro station U Naturkundemuseum. Then line U6 to Alt-Mariendorf. Get off at Friedrichstraße. At Friedrichstraße station, change to S-Bahn, then take one of the following lines: S3 (Erkner), S5 (Strausberg Nord), S7 (Ahrensfelde) or S9 (Flughafen BER). Get off at Alexanderplatz (2 stops). Then 270m until event location. All stations are accessible by lift.
Questions and Support
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team via e-mail: erds@bmas.bund.de or just give us a call. Business hours for calling are Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. (CET): +49 (0)30 288 845 123.