About 250 confreres, Hospitaller sisters, collaborators and service users attended the international congress on social inclusion which took place on Friday, June 16, in Vienna, organized by the St. John of God Order in collaboration with the Hospitaller Sisters.
Throughout Europe the St. John of God Order and the Hospitaller Sisters are actively engaged with a multitude of services and projects to promote social inclusion to allow disadvantaged people (disabled, homeless, mentally ill, etc.) to participate in professional and social life.
The congress was opened by Austria’s health minister Johannes Rauch. In his speech, the minister underlined the importance of enabling socially disadvantaged people to participate in all sectors of society’s life.
The first European Congress on social inclusion was conceived by the “Working group on Social Inclusion” of the European Commission of the St. John of God Order. The task of the working group is to promote the exchange of knowledge and initiatives, as well as the implementation of a joint planning of the European Provinces in the field of social inclusion. The centers and services of the Hospitaller Sisters have also joined the initiative. The General Councilor Fr. Joaquim Erra, president of the European Commission, who moderated the congress, said “With this congress we are sending out a clear signal in favor of inclusion in Europe. It is no longer a question of integrating a small minority into the majority so-called ‘normal”.
A rich programme of presentations, testimonials, reports and videos from across Europe gave participants the opportunity to present their experiences and perspectives, to discuss them and to learn from each other. Those interested in learning more can visit the congress website where they will find a colorful gallery of photos, videos and posters that reflect the great variety and richness of the initiative: https://www.congress-inclusion.eu/de