New ENUSP Board elected

Here is the last part of my report of the conference of ENUSP, European Network of (Ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (www.enusp.org) , held from 11-14 December 2014 in Hillerod, Denmark.

At Saturday 13 December 2014, the last part of the day, from 18.00 to 19.00, there was room for Self-organized workshops and caucuses. Tina Minkowitz (WNUSP) was having a session on Shadow-reporting on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). I had agreed with her that also the upcoming review of the European Union’s compliance with the CRPD, and the planned shadowreport by ENUSP would be discussed. In shadow-reports, NGO’s can address the human rights violations in a country or region, with the aim to get strong recommendations of the CRPD-Committee on which issues are important to be changed in that country or region. The upcoming review of the European Union’s policies and practices in the light of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, provides an opportunity for ENUSP to report on the massive human rights violations throughout the European Union, such as in institutions, by guardianship, by discrimination and so on. Liv from Norway, and I will take a lead in drafting the shadow-report for ENUSP in close consultation with the ENUSP Board, the ENUSP members and with the ENUSP-taskforce that is being established for this shadow-reporting process. Tina Minkowitz will also establish a more general email list to discuss issues related to shadow-reporting, in order to support persons and organizations in making shadow-reports. This was a very nice and practical session. We had a brief brainstorm and discussion on themes and priorities for the EU-shadow report. Even though the dinner had already arrived, we decided to continue our session a little longer, to be able to discuss the questions on the interpretation of complex situations under the CRPD (such as forced interventions on pregnant women with psychosocial disabilities and alcohol abuse, which could be seen as discriminatory, since many other harmful acts are not sanctioned, including the administration of (forced) psychiatric drugs during pregnancy and smoking, and also the woman has rights herself, which she doesn’t lose at the moment she gets pregnant. Instead of a paternalistic approach, there should be respectful social support, which would probably mean in this case to make efforts to convince the woman to stop drinking, without forced interventions, and to accept diversity in choices). This was a very interesting debate.

After the workshop, we had a nice dinner, which fluently turned into a relaxing evening. I have been meeting many people, having again the most interesting conversations with peer pioneers for our human rights. I enjoyed it so much, that I decided to postpone my blog, and I used my time fully to enjoy this great company. Until around 3 AM I have been sitting outside, talking and eventually enthusiastically whispering, about the many ins and outs and details of the work we all do. It is so inspiring to meet people who are on the same page. That is truly giving energy and a sense of freedom.

After a short night, it was already Sunday, 14 December 2014. This was the final day of the ENUSP congress already. In the afternoon many of us would leave, including me. But first we had to continue with the official part of the General Assembly. At Friday 12 December 2014, smaller groups had formed Regional meetings, which now gave an update. The very main conclusion was that membership especially in the eastern parts of Europe (especially South East region) need attention and active outreach and support. Also, every region presented the nominations for Board members and Deputies, who presented themselves briefly and answered questions, whenever there were any. After that, we voted, and most nominees were elected unanimously, including me. I am very proud to be a new Board member for ENUSP, and I will do my best to contribute to the advocacy work of ENUSP. The biggest change in the ENUSP Board is that there are now a lot of women in the ENUSP Board, coincidentally, because the main criterion was capacity for ENUSP. I think we have a very promising energetic new Board for ENUSP now. Olga Kalina from Georgia was unanimously elected as the new Chair of ENUSP, and I believe she is very skilled and talented to do this. After the elections, everyone was joyful. The former Board was greatly thanked.

Then we had lunch, and the new ENUSP Board sat together on a long table. We had our first meeting, but it was rather short, because most of us had to leave directly after the lunch. I feel really good about the new ENUSP Board. It is a group of talented and dedicated persons. Wonderful.

Then it was already time to say goodbye to each other. At 14.00, several taxis had arrived to bring about 12 people to the train station, and I was one of them. Together we had a cosy train ride to the airport in Copenhagen, and then we said goodbye to each other. It was truly an inspiring conference again. I think ENUSP is ready for the future :)