Solfagnano Charter exhibition opens in Ottawa: 'Inclusion and rights, no one must be left behind'

Carleton University hosts the Canadian stop of the travelling exhibition dedicated to the final document of the first G7 Inclusion and Disability meeting, promoted by the Italian Presidency in 2024.

The Solfagnano Charter has arrived in Ottawa. The Canadian stop of the travelling exhibition Inclusion and Disability: The Solfagnano Charter 'Nothing about us, without us' was inaugurated at Carleton University. The exhibition is dedicated to the final document of the first G7 Inclusion and Disability meeting, promoted in 2024 by the Italian Presidency and by Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli.

Since the beginning of the year, the exhibition has been travelling across G7 countries. Through nine illustrated panels, it presents the eight priorities of the Solfagnano Charter and the commitments made by participating countries during the first international summit devoted entirely to inclusion and disability.

The exhibition uses simplified, easy-to-read texts and includes QR codes designed to make the content accessible to persons with visual disabilities. The information is accompanied by illustrations created by young graphic designers, with the aim of making the principles at the heart of the Charter immediate and easy to understand.

'After Geneva, London, Paris, Berlin and New York, the exhibition has arrived in Ottawa with the aim of increasing everyone's awareness of inclusion and the value of every person, starting from the principles and eight priorities of the Solfagnano Charter,' Locatelli said.

The Minister then thanked Canadian Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu 'for choosing to share and support this initiative', stressing that the exhibition is 'a concrete sign of the path of cooperation and policy development, increasingly aligned with the document, undertaken by our countries'.

'Through this exhibition,' Locatelli added, 'we continue to promote the new perspective that we are also advancing through disability reform in Italy, one that enables us to recognise every person's skills, talents and potential without stopping at limitations.'

Those attending the opening included Minister Patty Hajdu, Member of Parliament Leslie Church and Carleton University Vice-President Pauline Rankin.

On the sidelines of the event, the round table Canada - Italy High-Level Discussion on Fostering Disability Inclusion and Rights was held, focusing on strengthening cooperation between Italy and Canada on inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities.

Minister Locatelli also met researchers and experts working on disability-related issues, as well as representatives of Ottawa's Italian community.

'Together we can and must build increasingly cohesive communities and make our countries stronger, without leaving anyone behind,' the Minister concluded.