PROGRAMME
02:00 PM
Registration and Welcome Coffee
02:30 PM
Opening Session
- Maria Azzopardi, Allied Rainbow Communities
- Clayton Mercieca, Head of SOGIGESC Unit, Human Rights Directorate
- Charley Beal, President of the Gilbert Baker Foundation
- Host: Olivia Lilith
02:45 PM
Addressing Stigma & Improving Sexual Health Outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Persons
- Moderator: Joe Grima Coordinator, HIV Malta
- Keynote Speaker: Jackie Roberts Secretary and Executive Board Member, Checkpoint (Malta)
-
Panellists:
Dr. Valeska Padovese Senior Consultant & Leading Clinician, Genitourinary Clinic (Malta)
Luca Stevenson Director of Programmes, European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance (Europe)
Owen Cachia Youth Community Officer, National Youth Council
04:00 PM
Access to Rights for LGBTIQ+ Migrants in the Asylum System
- Moderator: Dr. Maria Pisani Head of Department, Department of Youth & Community Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
- Keynote Speaker: Farah Abdullahi Abdi Asylum and Communications Officer, Transgender Europe
-
Panellists:
Dr. Neil Falzon Director, aditus foundation
Mr Ward Lutin, Head of the Asylum Knowledge Centre at the Agency, EUAA
Giorgio Dell’Amico InclusHome Project, Caleidos Cooperative
Wim Peumans Belgian writer and anthropologist
Jasser Hammami LGBTQIA+ advocacy and human rights professional
Ahmed El-Salawy Policy and Research Officer, International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organisation
05:00 PM
Promoting Inclusion at the Intersection of Faith & LGBTIQ+ Identities
- Moderator: Dr. Angele Deguara Senior Lecturer, University of Malta, Head of Sociology Department, Junior College, Member of Moviment Graffitti
- Keynote Speaker: Jayne Ozanne Founding Director, Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives & Ozanne Foundation
-
Panellists:
Chris Vella Coordinator, Drachma, Co-Chair of Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, & Local Representative, European Network of Parents of LGBTI+ Persons
Ali Arefi Co-founder of ALO and Advocacy Officer for LGBTQI Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Youssef Karaki, Activist representing the MENA Region
Ayaz Kado, Activist representing the MENA Region
06:00 PM
Closing Artistic Performance
- Olivia Lilith
06:30 PM
Welcome & Networking Reception
- By invite only
08:30 AM
Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00 AM
Opening Remarks
- Host: Clare Agius & Ray Calleja
09:05 AM
Welcome Speeches
-
Hon. Dr Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta
Kristine Garina, President, European Pride Organisers Association
Michael Willeke, Integrated Marketing Experience Director, Coca-Cola Europe
Video Message by Pete Buttigieg, United Sates Secretary
Dr Helena Dalli, EU Commissioner for Equality
09:25 AM
Activism and Resilience: LGBTIQ+ Rights in the Middle East & North Africa
- Moderator: Ruth Baldacchino Associate Director of Programmes, Astrea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
-
Panellists:
Mohamed Ali (Dali) Aguerbi Activist, Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement
Yassine Chagh Board Member, IGLYO
Henry Koh Executive Director at ILGA Asia
Chloë Cauchi International Officer, National Youth Council
Francois Zanikh Human rights defender and junior analyst on conflict, security, gender, and politics research
10:50 AM
Artistic Performance
- Chakib Zidi Queer Activist, Contemporary Dancer and Choreographer
11:00 AM
Coffee Break
11:15 AM
A lens on the LGBTIQ+ community in Africa: A Platform for Legislators
- Moderator: Monica Adame Secretary General of Parliamentarians for Global Action
-
Panellists:
Hon. Unity Dow Member of the Parliament of Botswana
Hon. Fox Odoi Member of the Parliament of Uganda.
Hon. Bernard George Member of the Parliament of the Seychelles
Hon. Sabina Chege Member of the Parliament of Kenya
12:30 PM
Networking Lunch
01:30 PM
Keynote Speech
- Willemjin Annette van Kempen Trans Feminist Activist (Chairperson, Stichting CuraTim, and Research & Advocacy in Trans Aslyum Policy at Transgender Netwerk Nederland)
02:00 PM
The Law & Politics of Trans & Intersex Rights: Challenges & Opportunities
- Moderator: Prof. Marceline Naudi Associate Professor, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
-
Panellists:
Willemjin Annette van Kempen Trans Feminist Activist (Chairperson, Stichting CuraTim, and Research & Advocacy in Trans Aslyum Policy at Transgender Netwerk Nederland)
Zakaria Lebanon-based trans and queer feminist
Lenny Emson Executive Director, Transgender Europe
Dimakatso Sebidi Co-Founder of Power of Four foundation and protagonist of "Who I Am Not”
Dan Christian Ghattas Executive Director, Organisation Intersex International - Europe
Dr. Alexia Bezzina Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Ministry for Health
Irena Guidikova Head of the Children’s Rights and Sport Values Department, Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Council of Europe
03:30 PM
Coffee Break
03:45 PM
Breakout Sessions
- Room I — LGBTIQ inclusion and participation in sport: good practices and way forward
-
Moderator: Mina Jack Tolu Committee Member, European Green Party, & Secretary General, Honey Island Rollers
Keynote Speaker: Irena Guidikova Head of the Children’s Rights and Sport Values Department, Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Council of Europe
Panellists:
Sarah Townsend Co-President, European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation
Tem Freya Inclusion Activist specialising in Queer and Disabled inclusion in Sports and Outdoor Activities
- Room II — The role of Parents of LGBTIQ persons: from acceptance to advocacy
-
Moderator: Colette Farrugia Bennett Family Therapist and Coordinator of the Rainbow Support Services
Keynote Speaker: Rūta Trumpickienė Mother of an LGBTIQ+ child – Lithuania
Panellists:
Anna Maria Fisichella Vice-president, AGEDO Milan
Fiorenzo Gimelli President of AGEDO Nazionale
Serge Naser Research consultant, Helem (Lebanon)
Joseanne Peregin President & Co-Founder of the European Network of Parents of LGBTI+ Persons
- Room III — LGBTIQ+ persons with disability: re-envisioning the road to equality
-
Moderator: Dr. Claire Lucille Azzopardi Lane Deputy Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
Keynote Speaker: Lyric Schranz Disability and Sexuality Activist
Panellists:
Solange Bonello Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability
Ingrid Thunem Former Paralympic swimmer and activist
Louisa Maria Grech Coordinator, Drachma Parents Group
05:00 PM
Closing Session & Ending Remarks
- Aaron Giardina, SOGIGESC Unit, Human Rights Directorate
08:00 PM
Official Dinner
- TBC - Valletta
- By invite only
08:30 AM
Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00 AM
Opening Remarks
09:05 AM
Welcome Speeches
-
Hon. Graziella Attard Previ Opposition Speaker for Equality, Maltese House of Representatives
MEP Cyrus Engerer Member of the European Parliament
09:15 AM
Pride under Attack: Perspectives from the Ground & Above
- Moderator: Lenny Emson Executive Director, Transgender Europe / Human Rights Officer, EPOA
- Panellists:
- Gabi Callejja Senior Policy Advisor, SOGI Unit, Council of Europe
- Cyrus Engerer Maltese Member of the European Parliament
- Serkan Zihili Activist representing Istanbul Pride
- Edward Reese Activist, Kyiv Pride
-
Moussa Hammoud Executive Board Member of Allied Rainbow CommunitiesKristine Garina President, European Pride Organisations Association
- Gifting of Gilbert Baker Flag to Kyiv Pride by Charley Beal and the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer Ms. Elizabeth Canellakis
10:45 AM
Coffee Break
11:00 AM
Rainbow families: the future of relationship and parenthood recognition across Europe
- Welcoming remarks by MEP Marc Angel (S&D), LGBTI Intergroup Co-Chair
- Panel 1: Parenthood recognition – how can the EU drive change?
-
Moderation: MEP Kim van Sparrentak (the Greens/EFA)
MEP Maria Manuel Leitão Marques (S&D), Intergroup Member, Rapporteur in JURI Committee on the Commission’s Proposal for Parenthood Recognition - video message
Dominique Boren, NELFA Vice
Clayton Mercieca, Head at SOGIGESC, Human Rights Directorate
- Panel 2: Relationship recognition – the Council of Europe on the driving seat
-
Moderation: MEP Marc Angel (S&D), LGBTI Intergroup Co-Chair
Neil Falzon, Human Rights Lawyer, ADITUS Foundation
MEP Kim van Sparrentak (the Greens-EFA), LGBTI Intergroup Co-Chair
- Questions from the audience
- Closing remarks MEP Cyrus Engerer (S&D), LGBTI Intergroup Member
12:30 PM
Closing Remarks
- Michael Camilleri Director, Human Rights Directorate
- Hon. Rebecca Buttigieg Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality, Government of Malta