EBU Resolutions 1999

This page contains the 12 resolutions passed by the EBU 6th General Assembly held in Prague (Czech Republic) from 24 to 27 November 1999 :





Resolution 99-1

New methods for conducting EBU general assemblies and making use of commission's work and reports
    - Whereas working methods and operational procedures in an international body should always be considered and improved whenever deemed appropriate ;

    - Whereas the co-operation, exchange of views and development of personal relations within the group of participants in the EBU general assembly and other general meetings should receive more impetus so as to create an enhanced understanding of the prevailing situation in member countries ;

    - Whereas the large amount of reports and other policy documents cannot be dealt with on an individual detailed basis due to time constraints ;


BE IT RESOLVED by the Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 November 1999, that the EBU Board in its planning and preparations for future general assemblies should strive to develop methods in obtaining the above stated aims.

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the Board should consider how to preserve all compiled experience, findings and operational ideas so as to ensure continuity and prevent the loss of valuable fuel for the future work.


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Resolution 99-2

Improved resources through fundraising
    - Whereas the EBU according to the guidelines given in Resolution 5 adopted at the Fifth General Assembly of the EBU in Giardini Naxos, Sicily (Italy), 1996, have developed and further strengthened the economic resources of the Union during the recent working period ;

    - Whereas it is considered of greatest importance to further consolidate the financial basis of the Union and augment it, if possible ;

    - Whereas, for merely economic reasons, appointed members of standing commissions from less wealthy organisations have refrained from participating in commission meetings, a sad consequence, which might occur repeatedly ;

BE IT RESOLVED by the Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 NOVEMBER 1999, that the EBU Board shall investigate to what extent and through which means it might be ascertained that all representatives of member countries could have a real possibility to participate in the democratic life of the EBU and give their contribution of experience and ideas during their participation.


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Resolution 99-3

Resolution on the principle position of the European Blind Union regarding the right to represent blind and partially-sighted people
    - Whereas it is a fundamental principle laid down in the European Blind Union Constitution that the only true voice of blind and partially-sighted people is the one spoken by the authentic and acknowledged organisations specific to this disability group ;

    - Whereas the situation prevailing in society in general and in many specific areas is characteristic for blind and partially-sighted people as opposed to other groupings of disabled ;

    - Whereas the Constitution of the World Blind Union is based upon the same fundamental principles as the Constitution of the European Blind Union, and whereas the World Blind Union adopted two resolutions at its General Assemblies in Madrid, September 18-24, 1988, and Cairo, November 2-6, 1992, which recognised the need for collaboration between parallel authentic organisations representing specific disability groups and the willingness of World Blind Union to do so ;

    - Whereas the European Blind Union at its 4th General Assembly in Ustron, Poland, September 7-9 1993, in its resolution regarding First European Day of Disabled People, reaffirmed that blind and partially-sighted people have interests and aspirations separate and distinct from those of other disabled people and that no other organisation in Europe has the right to represent those interests and aspirations ;


Let it be known that the Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 November 1999, fully supports the above points of view and establish :
    (A) That all member organisations support the clear stand that all matters regarding blind and partially-sighted people in Europe and its respective countries are to be dealt with by the European Blind Union and its member organisations solely striving towards the improvement of the lives and opportunities of this specific group of disabled people ;

    (B) That all organisations representing blind and partially-sighted people, European as well as national, representing adult people and/or children and youth, may benefit from co-operation, exchange of experience and sharing of knowledge with other single-disability organisations, but that this flow of information and experience at no time should be confused with policy making, decision-making or representative assignments or tasks.



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Resolution 99-4

The future representation of the interests of deaf-blind
    - Whereas the stand of the EBU Board is endorsed on full support of the deaf-blind in Europe and how they wish to be represented and organised ;

    - Whereas an improved communication between the EBU and the representative bodies of the deaf-blind need take place ;

BE IT RESOLVED by the Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 November 1999, that the EBU Board shall be charged with the task to obtain a clear picture of the organisational scenario pertaining to the deaf-blind in Europe and world-wide and, together with apt representatives from this disability group, to determine the short- and long-term wishes regarding representation and organisation including the ties to the EBU.


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Resolution 99-5

Women's Forum Initiative
The Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 November 1999, wishes to put on record that it appreciates the hard and fruitful work carried out by the Women's Forum preceding the General Assembly. It recommends to the Board and the appropriate commissions that they all take into the greatest consideration possible the recommendations adopted by the Forum.

BE IT ALSO PUT ON RECORD that the General Assembly recommends that a similar Forum is held preceding the 7th General Assembly.


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Resolution 99-6

Violence towards blind and partially-sighted including in particular women and girls
    - Whereas it is reasonable to believe that violence and abuse take place towards blind and partially-sighted in general, and the female portion of this grouping in particular, to a larger extent than in the general population ;

    - Whereas it is reasonable to believe that all types of violence (physical, sexual and psychological) are much more prevalent than known or reported ;

BE IT RESOLVED by the Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 November 1999, that
    - All member organisations shall draw their attention to this serious problem and put the theme of violence and abuse on their own agenda and those of women's organisations,

    - that they shall do their utmost to prevent the occurrence of such violence and abuse,

    - that it shall be ensured that any case of violence or abuse is brought forth and reported to the appropriate authorities,

    - that the necessary support is given to the victims and

    - that any violator be made responsible, and if necessary brought to justice, for such actions.




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Resolution 99-7

Converting the Standard Rules into a convention with an improved dimension
    - Whereas the UN Standard Rules on Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the UN in 1993 and has been of importance for the public awareness raising process in many countries and

    - Whereas the Standard Rules are considered to have played a significant role in the promotion of human rights perspectives as regards many issues related to disabled persons in European countries and the European Union ;

BE IT RESOLVED by the Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 November 1999, that the Board is requested, in conjunction with the Commission on Social Rights, to work with the WBU, and other single-disability organisations representing the interests of disabled people, to assist with the preparation of a draft UN Convention that incorporates the principles embodied in the UN Standard Rules for submission to the UN, prohibiting discrimination against disabled people, and calls upon national members to urge their governments to support the ratification of this convention by the UN ;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in the event that the UN Standard Rules be revised or be converted into a convention text, the Board is urged, in co-operation with other suitable agencies, to promote that it is ensured that gender and children's perspectives be included.



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Resolution 99-8

Economic resources and other means of assistance for blind and partially-sighted in developing countries
    - Whereas the continual support towards organisations of the blind in developing countries in general and African countries in particular remains a priority matter for the EBU ;

    - Whereas the principles of independence and sustainability on the part of the African Blind Union is considered as important as it is for the European Blind Union ;

    - Whereas independence and accessibility to information, education and employment may be promoted through the introduction of technical devices and services including solutions involving information technology ;

BE IT RESOLVED by the Sixth General Assembly of the European Blind Union in convention in Prague, Czech Republic, from 24 to 27 November 1999, that
    (A) All member organisations of the EBU shall on an ongoing basis consider how the work of the African Blind Union and other bodies truly representing the blind and partially-sighted in developing countries might be supported economically through established EBU funds and the AFUB Reserve Fund ;

    (B) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in as much as it is considered desirable that technical equipment ranging from low-tech to advanced devices, new as well as second-hand, is donated to developing countries, all member organisations shall be aware of the potential detrimental effects when donating complicated and technically challenging equipment to partners in developing countries without ensuring sufficient environmental and servicing requirements as well as necessary training skills.



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