EUD Press Releases

Dear all,

The Styrian organisation for the Deaf is the promoter of the Leonardo da Vinci project VOGS - Vocational Guidance Standard Model for Deaf people in Europe.
They would like to present results of their project to the EUD and the European Commission. The Head of the Austrian National Agency suggested using the way of the visits organiser. The European Commission fixed up the date, the 19th of September 2005 in the morning. Two reports will be heard:

1. the work of the European Commission in general;
2. the Leonardo da Vinci programme (here there will be time to talk about VOGS as well).

The premise to visit the European Commission by this way is that there are at least 15 participants.

Their request in this context is to organise 12 Deaf people and representatives of the EUD. The Styrian organisation for the Deaf will organise the visit and provide an interpreter from German (because the reports will be held in German)to International Signs. Visit to the EUD in the afternoon is possible.

NADS and other Deaf persons are kindly asked to respond asap whether they want to participate at this visit. The visit cannot be confirmed without 15 participants. A list with names of people who will take part at this visit will also have to be sent to the European Commission at least two weeks before the visit.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT ANDREA STOISSER - andrea.stoisser@stlvgv.at - ASAP.

AS MENTIONED ABOVE, INTERPRETER IN INTERNATIONAL SIGN IS PROVIDED. VISIT TO THE EUD OFFICE IS POSSIBLE. DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS 30 AUGUST 2005.

During the 20th EUD General Assembly, which took place in Luxembourg on 14-15 May 2005, a new Board was elected. EUD is pleased to announce that the following persons have been elected into the Board:

• Ms Helga STEVENS (Belgium): President;
• Mr Adrien PELLETIER (France): Vice-President;
• Ms Kajetana MACIEJSKA-ROCZAN (Poland): Board member;
• Mr Ioannis YALLOUROS (Greece): Board member;
• Ms Berglind STEFANSDOTTIR (Iceland): Board member.

EUD would like to warmly welcome the new President, Vice-President and Board members and looks forward to working with them.

Reaction of new EUD President Helga STEVENS:

“I am honoured having been elected as President of EUD. This is a vote of great confidence as I had acted as EUD director for many years. I am delighted that I can continue to be of service to EUD. I would like to take the occasion to thank the previous President and Board for their hard work.”

Now it is the time for EUD to say a big thank you and farewell to the outgoing President and Board members. Especially Mr Knud SØNDERGAARD (Denmark), who has served for many years as EUD President, deserves our gratitude. Also many thanks to Mr Terry RILEY (UK); Mr Helly CHRISTOPOULOU (Greece); Mr Amilcar MORAIS (Portugal); and Ms Hilde HAUALAND (Norway). As the European Deaf community is like a big family, we are sure that we will not lose sight of them.

Knud SØNDERGAARD, previous EUD President reacts:

“Everything comes to an end! That is a proverb which is true. I am proud of having been part of EUD which I have seen developing into a Europe-wide and representative organisation of Deaf people and sign language users. EUD is now starting a new chapter. As none of the current Board stood for re-election, a completely new Board was elected.
I am, however, confident that the new Board and President will support EUD in such a way so that Deaf people continue to be “heard” at EU level. I wish the new Board every success and hope to see you all again at one or another occasion.”

The European Union of the Deaf (EUD) has great pleasure in announcing the recent appointment of Craig Crowley as its new Executive Director.

Craig has joined the EUD from Enham, a national Disability charity, where he held the position of Director of Learning and Employment. He was also previously Deputy Director of UK Care Services with The Royal National Institute of Deaf People (RNID).

Craig Crowley, 41, will develop and manage the European organisation, ensuring the promotion, advancement and protection of the rights of Deaf people and Sign Language throughout the European Community.

Some of the key objectives for the EUD during 2005 and 2006 will be the further development of capacity building, awareness training for National Member Organisations, increased lobbying and campaigning within the EU and seeking new partnership opportunities with key NGOs and corporate organisations.

Craig said: “I am aware that there is a huge need for increased marketing on behalf of the EUD to the relevant people who are looking for real opportunities within the fields of equality, employment, education, Sign Language and Social Policy.”

“In my role as Executive Director I would like to ensure that we at EUD pride ourselves on delivering quality campaigns, lobbying and project development that are truly relevant to today’s environment, and that our work is widely recognised as being at the forefront of innovation and change.”

For details please contact:

Karin Van Puyenbroeck
EUD Administrator
Tel: +32 9 225 08 33
Fax: +32 9 225 08 34
Email: info@eudnet.org