The Association for the Development of Local Entrepreneurship (ADAA) was the only association in Romania, represented by the founder Andreea Negru, at the proceedings of the first International Summit on the rights of people with disabilities, worldwide, which took place in Istanbul, Turkey. The summit is unique in the world in its focus on the rights of people with disabilities and addressed companies, governments, and civil society. The event attracted over 260 participants from 60 countries and six continents, with a diverse range of speakers, including messages from the UN Secretary General, the European Commission, the World Bank, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, the Minister of Disability of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Commission, UNESCO and many other governments around the world.
ADAA received the Excellence Award from the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, and Andreea Negru, the founder of the association, was certified by USIDHR as a supporter of human rights and people with disabilities, promoting the inclusion and support of women in economic life and in the community.
Andreea Negru, the founder of ADAA, said: “I believe that each of us must have the same rights, and disabled people must enjoy equal opportunities. Thus, together, we can build a better, inclusive world where the UN principles of sustainable development are respected. We all have the right to truly benefit from economic, social, political and cultural life.”
It is a sad reality that approximately one billion people with disabilities around the globe still face widespread discrimination and inequality due to a lack of understanding and awareness of others. “Even though there are still many disparities in access to health care, education, employment and daily activities between people with disabilities and their peers, discussions about the rights of people with disabilities are often missing from human rights conversations around the world. In this regard, I believe that major efforts must be made to educate people and create favorable environments for people with disabilities so that they can live normal lives without fear or judgment,” concluded the founder of ADAA.
The summit was organized by the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights- USIDHR, and ADAA was a partner and speaker in the session on leadership and social responsibility. Other international partners were: United Nations, Youth Forum for International Cooperation, US Institute of Business and International Development, Cisco and others.