The Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights attended International Social Integration Summit, organized by the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and UCLG-MEWA, hold in Istanbul on 17-18 May 2016, with the support of the European Commission.
The Summit constituted a platform to discuss and reflect on how acting at local level can improve the lives of disadvantaged people. The discussions addressed the needs of vulnerable groups in Turkey, Europe and beyond, at global level, with emphasis on present and future challenges. The summit culminated in key recommendations (Final Declaration) for actors involved in ensuring socially inclusive societies, ranging from international agencies to local authorities, as well as civil society and academia.
The main issues addressed in the summit were:
- The challenge of social inclusion in advanced and mid-income economies;
- The challenge posed by new waves of refugees in terms of social inclusion in different societies;
- The challenge of the full participation of people with disabilities in society.
The summit brought together approximately 800 participants from Turkey, Europe and other continents, including decision makers, experts, opinion shapers, and other relevant stakeholders, especially those dealing with the social integration of disadvantaged people and people with disabilities.