About us
SUSTENTO is the only umbrella organization in Latvia that unites 55 organizations of people with disabilities, thus forming a direct representation of more than 50,000 people with disabilities and / or chronic diseases. In 2002, the organization was founded to unite as many associations as possible and strive to ensure that the rights and needs of people with disabilities are respected in our country.
SUSTENTO is the only organization that represents the Latvian non-governmental sector in disability policy in the European Union, promoting respect for human rights in accordance with international law.
Main goals:
Activities:
cooperates with state goverment (LR Saeima, Ministry of Welfare, etc.);
cooperates with major and larger international associations of non-governmental organizations;
organizes educational seminars and discussions;
a training center has been set up to improve the understanding of professionals and other stakeholders on disability issues;
provides opportunities for everyone to participate in state decision-making processes, drafting laws;
a structure for the protection of patients' rights has been established - the Patient Information and Rights Protection Center;
participates in projects of other organizations;
participates and organizes meetings with the media;
publishes a monthly newspaper for people with disabilities.
International operations;
In order to promote and influence the policy in the field of disability in Latvia, SUSTENTO has many years of experience in the structural units of the European Union:
Regular work takes place in all European organizations: participation in meetings, assembly, conferences, working groups, seminars, exchange visits. International experience has also been gained in events in Kazakhstan, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia, Israel, Tajikistan, Greece and Spain.
SUSTENTO is the only organization that represents the Latvian non-governmental sector in disability policy in the European Union, promoting respect for human rights in accordance with international law.
Main goals:
- to establish international co-operation with other organizations operating in a similar field;
- to support the activities of organizations at local and international level which aim to integrate people with disabilities and / or chronic diseases into society and to protect their rights;
- developing a positive public awareness of people with disabilities and / or chronic illnesses in cooperation with national and local media;
- to participate in the decision-making processes of the national and local goverment in order to ensure the observance of the rights of persons with disabilities and / or chronic diseases, to influence the adoption, development and implementation of favorable legislation;
- provide information materials and training for people with disabilities, etc. c. about the special needs of these people.
Activities:
cooperates with state goverment (LR Saeima, Ministry of Welfare, etc.);
cooperates with major and larger international associations of non-governmental organizations;
organizes educational seminars and discussions;
a training center has been set up to improve the understanding of professionals and other stakeholders on disability issues;
provides opportunities for everyone to participate in state decision-making processes, drafting laws;
a structure for the protection of patients' rights has been established - the Patient Information and Rights Protection Center;
participates in projects of other organizations;
participates and organizes meetings with the media;
publishes a monthly newspaper for people with disabilities.
International operations;
In order to promote and influence the policy in the field of disability in Latvia, SUSTENTO has many years of experience in the structural units of the European Union:
- full member of the European Disability Forum (EDF) since 2002,
- Representation on the EDF Board and the Committee on Women with Disabilities since 2004
- full member of the World Disabled People's Movement since 2004,
- full member of the European Patient Forum since 2005,
- member of the European Network for Accessible Tourism since 2005,
- Since 2013, Gunta Anča, Chairman of the Board of SUSTENTO, has been Secretary General of EDF
Regular work takes place in all European organizations: participation in meetings, assembly, conferences, working groups, seminars, exchange visits. International experience has also been gained in events in Kazakhstan, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia, Israel, Tajikistan, Greece and Spain.