From: steff@inet.uni2.dk Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 20:27:47 +0200 (METDST) Subject: [euroletter] PRESS RELEASE FROM ILGA EUROPE 20TH ILGA EUROPEAN CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE IN LINZ, AUSTRIA, 21-25 OCTOBER 1998 AUSTRIA'S FEDERAL CHANCELLOR VIKTOR KLIMA HAS ASSUMED THE HONORARY PATRONAGE FOR THE CONFERENCE On 21 October 1998, the 20th ILGA European Conference will commence in Linz, capital city of the state of Upper Austria. Local host of the meeting will be Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Linz. The meeting will discuss, among other things, the activities of the organisation during the past year and make decisions for the work of the new Board for the coming year. Main issues will include the lobbying activities towards the European Union and the Council of Europe, such as the follow-up on the ILGA-Europe Action Plan towards the European Commission, continuous involvement in the work of the European Parliament Equal Rights for Gays and Lesbians Intergroup and in the social and civil dialogue on a European level through participation in the activities of the Platform of European Social NGOs, and in lobbying for a comprehensive implementation of Article 13 in order that sexual orientation discrimination be fully addressed in this context. The ILGA-Europe conference will not only mark the 20th anniversary of ILGA but also the 50 anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the fact that the host country is holding the Presidency of the European Council in the second half of 1998. The conference will also debate and decide upon a comprehensive action plan draft towards the Council of Europe. Workshop topics range from the situation of gays and lesbians in Eastern Europe and at the workplace to "gay marriage" and gay/lesbian youth as well as HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the fund raising efforts and scholarship programme of HOSI Linz, participation of delegates from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will be the largest ever in an ILGA World or European conference. For the first time, delegates from Albania are expected to attend an ILGA conference. A first in the history of ILGA is also the fact that a prime minister has taken on the honorary patronage for the conference. Federal Chancellor Viktor Klima is assuming this function together with a series of other personalities including the president of the Austrian Parliament, Heinz Fischer, the Minister for Women's Affairs, Barbara Prammer, the Minister of Science, Caspar Einem, and the spokes persons of the Liberal and the Green Parties, Heide Schmidt and Alexander van der Bellen. Several deputies of the Diet of Upper Austria and the City Council of Linz are also assuming the honorary patronage. The conference will be opened by three members of the Austrian Parliament, Heide Schmidt, Alexander van der Bellen and Sonja Ablinger (Social-Democratic Party). The minister president of Upper Austria and the Lord Mayor of Linz will host an official reception for the conference on 21 October in the City Hall. Fringe events include a commemoration ceremony, on Friday, 23 October, in the former concentration camp of Mauthausen nearby Linz where the Austrian lesbian and gay movement had mounted a plaque in commemoration of the gay and lesbian victims of the Nazi regime in 1984, a gay and lesbian film festival, a sightseeing tour in Linz and surroundings, and a big "Spirit of Power" party on Saturday in order to honour the official slogan of the conference "Courage & Joy". HOSI Linz has received financial support to orgaise the conference from the Minister of Women's Affairs, the Ministry of Science, the provincial government of Upper Austria, the City of Linz and the Green and Liberal parties. More information on the conference can be obtained from HOSI Linz, Schubertstrasse 36, A-4020 Linz; Phone & Fax: +43-732-60.98.98-1. E-mail: hosi-linz@netway.at; http://www.hosi-linz.gay.at/ The report of the ILGA-Europe Executive Board on its activities between the 1997 London Conference and Linz is available at ILGA-Europe's website: http://www.steff.suite.dk/ilgaeur.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subscribe, unsubscribe, opt for a daily digest, or start a new e-group at http://www.eGroups.com -- Free Web-based e-mail groups.