Solfagnano Charter

G7 Inclusion and disability

"Everyone's right to full and effective participation and inclusion in civil, social, economic, cultural and political life in our countries."

Introduction The G7 Ministers responsible for policies concerning persons with disabilities met in Solfagnano, in Italy, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring the full and real exercise of the rights of persons with disabilities in every area of life: social, cultural, educational, economic, civil and political. This commitment is based upon the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Charter was established from the input of the Leaders’ Summit held in Borgo Egnazia in June 2024 and focuses on the need to listen to and directly engage persons with disabilities, their families, and their representative organisations in making policies and programmes more effective and accelerating social, political and cultural change. Priority topics are identified such as accessibility, independent living, employment, use of inclusive technologies, participation in sports and cultural activities, emergency risk management and promotion of a truly inclusive society.

The Charter recognises the centrality of the “Nothing About Us, Without Us” principle and advocates for a cultural shift: persons with disabilities must be actively engaged in decisions relating to them. It is fundamentally important to remove social barriers, to recognise the multiple forms of disability and discrimination, and to promote the autonomy, skills and talents of each individual. The document emphasises the importance of collective mobilisation, involving institutions, civil society organisations, enterprises, local communities and citizens, with an active role for persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. The change requires listening, dialogue and direct participation. For the first time, the G7 Ministers met to share common priorities in this area, with the participation also of partner countries, such as Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia and Vietnam, and with the valuable contribution of experts and international organisations.