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ESCIF Assembly 2020 

We know all of you are in one or the other way affected by the current situation with the Corona Virus and that the ESCIF assembly is not the most important thing right now. However, to be able to continue working for persons with SCI all-over Europe, the ESCIF board is working hard to have an electronic assembly of delegates which enables the board to keep the association running. 

The current emergency law Situation in Switzerland forbids the gathering of more than 5 persons. Therefore ESCIF is not able to have an assembly, as we are used to. The board of ESCIF also thinks that having only an assembly without congress later this year would financially and logistically not be suitable for most organisations and delegates. 

This highly unusual situation is not taken into account in the statues of ESCIF. However, the current emergency law by the Swiss government enables ESCIF to have an assembly by use of digital participation. This year’s assembly will therefore be by e-mail. All member organisations will receive an invitation to appoint a delegate which then is allowed to vote by e-mail. Because this will affect how discussions, comments and ideas are exchanged, the assembly will be as simple as possible, with only essential topics, like approval of the accounts and discharge of the Executive board. There are no elections necessary this year.

We are aware that this is a unusual procedure and it is not how ESCIF likes to have their assembly since it is not facilitating discussion and exchange among the delegates. However, the ESCIF board hopes that all members and colleagues support us in this decision. If you have any question please don’t hesitate to contact one of the board members. Stay healthy and all the best for you and your beloved ones.

 Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we have to CANCEL

the ESCIF Congress on the 6.-8. of May 2020 in Nottwil.

ESCIF Congress 2020 

The next ESCIF Congress will take place between the 6th and the 8th of May 2020 in Switzerland, in Nottwil. The topic of the Congress will be about the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The CRPD is the basic document to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the same rights and opportunities as everybody else. 

During the Congress participants will learn about the CRPD and how organisations, such as ESCIF and its member organisations, can participate in governmental processes related to the CRPD. Furthermore, practical examples of the impact of the CRPD from rehabilitation and public transport will be presented. The congress is open to anyone who has an interest in spinal cord injury and disability rights - be it a personal or professional one. The fifteenth ESCIF Congress is organised by the Swiss Paraplegic Association and supported by the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation.

The venue of the Congress is the following:

Swiss Paraplegic Center

Guido A. Zäch Strasse 1

6207 Nottwil

The vision of the federation is to improve the quality of life of people in all parts of Europe who are living with a spinal cord injury.

This will be achieved through:

• The exchange of information, experience and knowledge

  The pan-European network will facilitate this exchange and will work to ensure that information is available to all those living with a spinal cord injury, irrespective of country.

• Establishing and promoting 'best practice'

  Insights and experience gained in the individual member countries will enable ESCIF to develop guidelines for best practice in all issues affecting people living with a spinal cord injury.

• The creation of a unified voice in Europe

  ESCIF will use its voice to inform, represent and lobby on behalf of its members. It will work to raise awareness of the challenges that confront people living with a spinal cord injury – and it will strive to help its members to overcome these challenges.