New Year Wish,

On the first day of this New Year, I want to share with you the important developments Workability Europe is facing.  

In the first week of last December Workability Europe was present -  as usual - on the European Day for People with Disabilities in Brussels, as always organized by the European Disability Forum,  together with the European commission. And  though the theme was: “Freedom of movement in Europe?”  the keynote behind it was the  UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.  It has been already a year since the Council of the EU agreed to conclude the UN Convention. Vice President of the European Commission Viviane Reding and Jean Marc Délizée, Secretary of State for the Belgian presidency gave a clear message during the European Day: the Convention should be deposited in New York as soon as possible, following the adoption a code of good conduct, governing the role of the European Commission and Member States in the UN bodies established through the UN CRPD. I want to make two remarks on this issue. First of all, of the 27 countries of the EU, 12 have not ratified the Convention yet, above that also not the European Union as a whole and Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. Some of our most distinguished members are based in those countries. So a lot of work to do in this preparatory legislative process! See the list. But even, when a country has ratified, it is almost shocking to realize how much more work is waiting. Henner Sorg was attending a study-conference in Germany, where  the impact  of the UN convention for the German National/Länder/Community (law) systems was evaluated. A landslide in our World is coming!  

The second point is a more organizational one. While the emphasis is shifting from (in short) creating facilities and complementary actions out of Brussels to national governments toward highlighting the rights of people with disabilities, the European Commission also reorganized the position of the Disability Unit. Not longer a part of European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities but in future a unit within the Directorate-General for Justice. For our contacts within the Disability Unit it must be a new challenge. Of course we will going on in working closely together with the Unit on realizing the EU Disability Strategy 2010 -2020, launched in November 2010, also to break down the barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating in society on an equal basis. I come back to that point! 

Our commitment to try to find as much jobs as possible in the mainstream labor market also leaded to a stronger relation with the European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE). In 2011 we are planning several joint activities.

The Financial crisis and the budgetary problems of many European countries have also a strong effect on our sector. I estimate that at least  4000 institutions or departments, connected to members of Workability Europe,  are facing a new challenge to hold the quality and amount of jobs for people with a disability. At the other hand new governmental programs in many countries, targeting to lower the  rates of unemployment of disadvantaged groups, also offer chances for the people we serve. New roads to  new kind of highly qualified jobs is what we have to find together! 

In Brussels I signed all the relevant documents for the so-called Progress application. The last phase is now to get approval on our annual plan 2011. The management team worked very hard to deliver that plan 2011 to the European Commission in time. When approved, for a lot of our activities there will be budget to go onwards. We are planning this year 6 regional public workshops, on different issues, but updates about the UN Convention, the EU Disability Strategy and supported employment are always a part of the program. A full agenda for 2011, see our website! One of the positive consequences of the Progress strategy is the possibility to strengthen our Brussels’ secretariat. A full time General Secretary/Director, a full time Public Affairs officer and a part-time Members Relations Officer are – as a part of the stronger secretariat in Brussels - the focus points for our Board to work on. After the final decision about the Progress application the process of getting the people in place, will be one of the main tasks of the Management Team and the Financial Committee. The Board will take the final decisions in the Board Meeting in February. 

Transparency and Good Governance is another focus points of the Board. Already in the Annual Meeting in Bucharest 2009 a special Committee was appointed for these issues. Seen the substantial growth in budget and the absolute need to supervise the spending on European activities the Board decided to join the committees on Transparency and Financial Affairs. Also our External Auditor Deloitte is involved in this matter. Relevant information will be placed on our website soon. 

A main driver in the expansion of Workability Europe has been our General Secretary Bertie Hunt. Since 2002 he has been active in participating to shape our organization. Thousands of hours he spend in working on position papers, organizing meetings, editing agenda’s and minutes and traveling all over Europe to meet members. The final decision of the Progress application will be a milestone for our Brussels secretariat. Reason for the Board to reshape the role of the General Secretary. This means that the contract with him is not renewed per January 1^st, 2011. Bertie has signaled that he will keep contact with us out of other important roles he plays in Scotland. That means that his experiences will still be available to Workability Europe. Thank you Bertie! 

2011 is a challenge for all of us.  The Best Wishes for you in person, your family and your organization. I look forward to work together!

Hans Vrind

President Workability Europe.