G7 Inclusion and Disability
G7 is an international forum that brings together the leaders of seven of the world’s leading advanced economies: the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy. The summit focuses on global issues of economic, political and social importance, including international security, economic growth, climate change and human rights. The G7 promotes dialogue and cooperation among member countries to address global challenges and find common solutions.
G7 Inclusion and Disability
For the first time in history, a ministerial meeting dedicated exclusively to the topics of inclusion and disability will be held. Following the protocols established for G7 ministerial summits, the preparatory days and the ministerial meeting will be held behind closed doors. However, we have decided to open the moment of welcoming the delegations to the public, to allow for greater participation and awareness of these fundamental issues The G7 ministers will ascend the stone stage of the Basilica of Assisi to greet all those present. Usually this moment of greeting is reserved, but on this occasion it will be open to the public to encourage greater sharing and participation.
This is why the G7 Inclusion and Disability is a historic event, wanted by the Minister for Disability Alessandra Locatelli, and supported by the Ministers dealing with disability from all the participating countries.
To launch a message of sharing, of Peace and to put at the centre of the international agendas the themes of inclusion, universal accessibility, autonomous and independent living, the enhancement of talents, labour inclusion and the right of everyone to full participation in civil, social and political life.
The three days
14 October – Welcoming Day for Ministerial Delegations
The first day is dedicated to the opening of the G7 Inclusion and Disability Summit. The reception of the ministerial delegations will take place in the square in Assisi, and it will be possible to participate in the ceremony by pre-registering on the website. For the first time in history, some practices will be undermined and the welcome, with the traditional handshake, will be shared with people, families, associations, citizens. There will be 3 bands, 80 musicians including 50 with disabilities, who will play the national anthems of the countries involved. In the same square, there will be food trucks from all over Italy where boys and girls with autism and other disabilities work, and along the main street of Assisi there will be about one hundred associations with stands, to present their projects and their activities. In the lower and upper squares there will be two large monitors to allow all those present to follow the welcome ceremony.
15 October – Preparatory Day
The Preparatory Day will take place at Castello di Solfagnano (PG), with the participation of about 160 delegates and 6 discussion panels in which experts from all over the world will intervene about the priorities identified by the G7 countries and, for the occasion, over 20 associations that employ boys and girls with disabilities will work inside the Castello and will provide the welcoming and catering, besides preparing and serving food.
16 October – Ministerial Meeting
This will be the heart of the event, it will be a moment reserved for Ministers only and will take place at the Solfagnano Castle. At the end, the Charter of Solfagnano, mentioned on page 34 of the leaders’ final document, will be signed, representing the 8 priorities to which the G7 countries commit themselves for the future. This will be followed by the traditional final press conference and lunch organised by some associations and Third Sector entities.