EBU Resolutions 1990

The following resolutions were passed by the EBU 3rd General Assembly, Lisbon (Portugal), 11-13 October 1990

Resolution 1990-1

Having received the two important papers discussing the future tasks and work of the EBU resolting from political evolution in our continent ;

And accepting the need for the EBU to take initiatives on behalf of blind and partially sighted people in order to meet this new situation ;

The Third General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Lisboa (Portugal) from 11 to 13 October 1990 INSTRUCTS the Board to take urgent steps to set up structures for ensuring cooperation between the member countries, in particular the sharing of information and expertise, it being deemed necessary for this purpose to set up an office to act as a focus for carrying out these executive tasks.

The EBU should acknowledge the challenges for blind and partially-sighted people and their national and international organizations resulting from the change from a continent divided into power blocks to a continent where some states have stronger economies than others and where in all states there is a danger that blind and partially-sighted people may lose or have called in question the rights to which they are entitled.

What is needed is a strong organization, a democratic participation and flexibility in meeting the realities.

To achieve this, the global policy should be laid down by the General Assembly and the Board IS CALLED UPON to formulate a strategy which will be implemented by detailed working plans at all levels.

Member countries must recognise that the EBU and its achievements depend entirely on their active participation.

Resolution 1990-2

Whereas the situation of women in Europe and in particular that of the blind and partially-sighted is still not equal ;

The Third General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Lisboa (Portugal) from 11 to 13 October 1990 STRESSES

That the Board of EBU strive to find ways and means of engaging visually impaired women in its decision-making bodies ;
That the member countries of EBU should all work actively in finding suitable forms of involvement for visually impaired women in areas of organisational work ;
That all member countries of the EBU are recommended to include visually handicapped women in their national delegations to general assemblies .
That it is stated as a principle that this striving for emancipation is used to strengthen the cause of the visually impaired as a minority group in society as a whole.

Resolution 1990-3

Whereas in society in general the visually handicapped have very little influence over their own situation and the need arises to have at least a full control of their organizations ;

deems it desirable to ensure that the blind and partially sighted control their own their own interests, i.e. decide for themselves.

Therefore the Third General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Lisboa (Portugal) from 11 to 13 October 1990 RECOMMENDS that the EBU bodies should have a majority of blind and partially-sighted members.

Resolution 1990-4

The Third General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Lisboa (Portugal) from 11 to 13 October 1990 ACCEPTS the following principles concerning the position and the rights of the partially sighted persons in Europe :

It is convenient to elaborate a legal definition of partial sight that takes into account the functional aspects.
Considering the fact that partially-sighted people represent the major part of the visually handicapped in the European countries, they should be called to participate more intensively in the work of EBU and its member organizations.
EBU ought to help the national associations of visually handicapped to become effective associations of blind and partially sighted.
In legal documents concerning social rights and their harmonization, when the word "blind" is used, the words "and partially-sighted" shall be added.

Resolution 1990-5

The Third General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Lisboa (Portugal) from 11 to 13 October 1990 URGES every member country to start and/or increase development cooperation for the organizations of the visually handicapped in all developing countries with particular regard to Africa. The solidarity of all EBU member countries is needed in order to help the visually handicapped in developing countries to achieve independence, equality and full participation.