We Aspire for Inclusion: Join Our Online International Youth Day Event

Promotional graphic for an online webinar titled: “We Aspire for Inclusion: Youth Challenging Ableism through Activism, Non-Formal Education and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” The top section has a dark navy-blue background with the webinar title in large light-lavender text. Beneath it, an orange banner displays the event details: “Wednesday, 12 August at 15.30 CEST” and “Platform: Zoom.” The lower half has a light lavender background featuring a row of colourful raised hands in orange, pink, dark blue, bright blue and turquoise, symbolising participation and inclusion. Two ENIL logos appear on the right-hand side, while the European Union emblem and the text “Co-funded by the European Union” are shown in the bottom left corner. The overall design uses ENIL’s brand colours and conveys participation, diversity and collective action.

Date: 12 August 2026
Time: 15:30–17:00 CEST
Format: Online via Zoom
Organised by: ENIL and the ENIL Youth Network


👉Register for the event


What do young people aspire to achieve, regardless of where they live?


Although young people face different barriers depending on their country, community and circumstances, many share the same hopes: to have adequate living conditions, access quality education, pursue a career they enjoy, participate fully in society, make their own choices, feel that they belong and be treated with dignity.


For young disabled people, however, ableism continues to stand in the way of these aspirations.


To mark International Youth Day 2026, ENIL and the ENIL Youth Network invite you to an interactive online event:


We Aspire for Inclusion: Youth Challenging Ableism through Activism, Non-Formal Education and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities


Inspired by the International Youth Day 2026 slogan, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the event will bring together participants from different countries, communities and backgrounds to explore how ableism affects young people—and what we can do together to challenge it.


What will we discuss?


During the session, we will explore:


  • How ableism appears in different social and cultural contexts
  • What individuals, organisations and communities can do to dismantle barriers
  • The role of activism, youth work and non-formal education in advancing equal access and participation
  • How the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can provide a shared framework for inclusion


The 90-minute session will include interactive discussions, breakout conversations, collaborative exercises and examples of inclusive youth work.


Rather than focusing only on the barriers young disabled people face, participants will work together to imagine what genuinely inclusive communities could look like. We will also identify practical steps that participants can take to support inclusion in their own organisations, communities and everyday lives.


Who should join?


The event is open to:


  • Young people of all backgrounds
  • Young people from disabled and other marginalised communities
  • Youth workers and educators
  • Activists
  • Representatives of youth and disability organisations
  • Anyone interested in creating more inclusive communities


No previous experience or knowledge of disability rights, youth work or the UN Convention is required.


Accessibility


We aim to make all ENIL events accessible and welcoming to people of all identities and backgrounds.


During the event, we will:


  • Provide automated Zoom captions
  • Use accessible presentation materials
  • Verbally describe important visual content
  • Offer different ways for participants to contribute
  • Use inclusive facilitation throughout the session

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide ISL interpretation for this event.


👉Register for the event