An international congress on ‘Towards a new humanism: Ethics and disability’ will be an occasion to present the outcome of research for the improvement of psycho-physical handicaps through dialogue, cooperation and solidarity between European countries. The idea is to promote a quality of life worthy of human dignity.

The Congress will tackle four main topics on different aspects of disability: a session on ethics and disability will analyse the anthropological and ethical aspects of the care of persons with disability in the Mediterranean; the second session will deal with research and disability and will present results of recent medical research and social policies of the different Mediterranean and European countries aimed at improving assistance provided to persons with disability.

The family and disability will be the subject of the third session and will analyse the daily difficulties encountered by families with persons with disability and will compare the political support offered in various Mediterranean countries. The fourth session will deal with education and disability and will present a new plan and educational strategy to professional bodies for the rehabilitation and the social integration of persons with disability.

The organisers are the Associazione Mediterraneo Senza Handicap of Italy, the Ministry of Family and Social Solidarity, Caritas, Malta, the Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability, and Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

It is being held Hotel Le Meridien Phoenicia, between 23-25 April, under the patronage of the Pastoral and Health Pontifical Council, Vatican City.

The Congress is open to all institutions, associations and persons interested in the culture of disability, from the ethical and socio-pedagogical point of view.