On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on 3 December, Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted representatives from the National Council of Disability Organisations of Slovenia (NSIOS), the Sonček – Cerebral Palsy Association of Slovenia, the Altra Society, the Poglej Society and the YHD Association for Theory and Culture of Handicap.

The event aligned with this year's European Disability Forum motto: "Break barriers, open doors: for an inclusive society and development for all."

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of removing physical, social and economic barriers that hinder the daily lives of persons with disabilities. He noted that disability organisations play an indispensable role in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and promoting their full inclusion in society.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the focus group established in 2022, which serves as a central mechanism for cooperation between the Government and the National Council of Disability Organisations of Slovenia (NSIOS) in addressing the challenges of the disability community, functioning as a representative body that ensures two-way communication. NSIOS advocates for the rights of all persons with disabilities in Slovenia, regardless of their membership status. The main task of the focus group is to systematically and comprehensively address the key issues that persons with disabilities face in their daily lives and to ensure effective organisation to find appropriate solutions.

The focus group systematically addresses the most pressing issues faced by persons with disabilities in their daily lives in a way that is as organisationally efficient as possible. The focus group meets monthly to discuss specific topics. In this way, depending on the topic under discussion, the meetings are attended by the relevant ministries and representatives of disability organisations concerned with the matter at hand. 

Prime Minister Golob concluded the meeting with a commitment to meet again in January next year. The meeting will focus on the topics most frequently raised by the disability organisations: personal assistance, the translation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the disability-related aspects of the pension reform.

In addition to the Prime Minister, the meeting was attended by Nataša Lužar, State Secretary for Intergenerational Dialogue and Housing Policy from the Prime Minister's Office, as well as by Simon Maljevac, Minister of Solidarity-Based Future, Dan Juvan, State Secretary for Social Affairs, Labour Market and Employment, Labour Relations and Labour Rights, Andrejka Znoj, Director General of the Directorate for Persons with Disabilities, and Andrej Rajh, State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

At a separate meeting yesterday, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia declared 1 March as Inclusion Day to raise awareness of the importance of inclusion of all individuals in society. Inclusion means that every individual is given the opportunity to participate fully in society, including access to education, employment, health services and other important areas. Prime Minister Golob pinpointed that an inclusive society must enable every individual, regardless of their abilities, to contribute actively to the development of the community. "Each individual has unique talents and abilities that enrich our society," he noted.

Due to other commitments, Prime Minister Golob excused himself from today's reception at Brdo pri Kranju. Representing the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Klemen Boštjančič attended the reception on his behalf.