The Global Disability Summit (GDS) is a significant international initiative aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities, particularly those in the Global South. Established in 2017, the GDS serves as an ideal platform to bring together stakeholders at global, regional, and national levels who share a common perception and goals for inclusive disability development and humanitarian action. This Summit plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between disability inclusion and development cooperation, promoting a more inclusive world for all.

The Global Disability Summit (GDS) meets every three years, but its impact extends far beyond the triennial two-day event. The GDS is an ongoing mechanism that promotes constant advocacy action among disability development stakeholders globally and stimulates the movement for the rights of people with disabilities and its allies. At its core, the GDS embodies a partnership between Member States and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), as demonstrated by its collaborative co-hosting approach. This lasting alliance ensures that the Summit’s influence persists throughout the year, fostering progress in disability inclusion and rights on a global scale.

The next Global Disability Summit will be held on April 2 and 3, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. This event will be co-hosted by Germany, Jordan, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). The Summit also represents an opportunity to establish concrete commitments regarding international cooperation and disability inclusion policies. These commitments will be concretely supported by adequate financial and human resources to promote disability-inclusive development and humanitarian actions, building on the sixteen commitments that the European Union had undertaken in the previous 2022 Summit. As also highlighted by the EDF (European Disability Forum), the European Commission will focus on disability inclusion to make it an absolute priority in the next EU financial framework, ensuring the promotion of accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in funding programs.

Marco Espa will assume the role of representative of the FISH Presidency (Italian Federation for the Rights of People with Disabilities and Families) at the Berlin summit. Marco Espa, who also holds the position of president of ABC (Association for Children with Cerebral Palsy), has distinguished himself in recent years for his presence at the ESSC (European Social Services Conference). During these international events, he has contributed to highlighting innovative collaborative design practices, aimed at creating tailored life paths for individuals with disabilities.

To learn more, you can visit the Global Disability Summit website and Superando -  I Temi della Disabilità Trattati con Coraggio.