Following a two-year process to gain recognition, EPC was finally granted participatory status on December 29th 2008. This recognition represents a major step forward in EPC’s efforts to ensure the voice of the disability sports movement, and in particular that of European athletes with disabilities, is present and heard at all major international fora where decisions that may affect them are taken.

“EPC will strive to advocate for the full rights of persons with disabilities and promote the benefits of sport for people with disabilities within the Council”, stated President Enrique Sánchez-Guijo. “Our mission is to help bring about the full integration of people with disabilities in Europe through sport. This is just one more step forward as we work towards fulfilling the strategic plan adopted by the Executive Board for the period 2005-2009, and the plan has been accomplished almost completely.”

The Council of Europe, set up in 1949, seeks to develop throughout Europe common and democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection of individuals. Its aims are:

- To protect human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law.
-  To promote awareness and encourage the development of Europe's cultural identity and diversity.

- To find common solutions to the challenges facing European society, such as discrimination against minorities, xenophobia, intolerance, bioethics and cloning, terrorism, trafficking in human beings, organised crime and corruption, cybercrime, violence against children.

- To consolidate democratic stability in Europe by backing political, legislative and constitutional reform.

Click here for more information on the Council of Europe.