Barcelona, May 22 – The Xarxa d’Accessibilitat i Vida Independent (XAVI) celebrated its annual conference, “10 years of XAVI and forward! For a more inclusive and accessible city,” yesterday, May 20, at Lleialtat Santsenca. The event gathered over 75 individuals, representing more than 40 entities and the Municipal Institute of People with Disabilities (IMPD), to reflect on a decade of collaborative efforts and to establish strategic guidelines for the coming years concerning accessibility and the guarantee of rights for people with disabilities.
Institutional Welcome and Future Challenges
Marta Villanueva, Councillor for Health, People with Disabilities, and Strategy against Loneliness, provided the institutional welcome. She emphasized the critical importance of strengthening and implementing transversal accessibility policies across all municipal areas. Villanueva highlighted Barcelona’s status as a leading city in accessibility, suggesting that the network’s projects could serve as models for other cities. She also acknowledged that significant challenges remain, including the forthcoming design of Barcelona’s Accessibility Plan, scheduled for the coming months.
Networking and Social Innovation: A Keynote Address
The central conference was delivered by Dr. Julian Cárdenas, a doctor in sociology, who discussed networking and network analysis as essential tools for social innovation. Cárdenas underscored that innovation primarily stems from joint efforts and collaboration among diverse sectors. He also highlighted the professional and educational link with universities, encouraging final degree or master’s projects to be developed in conjunction with organizations, thereby reinforcing social innovation.
Strategic Planning for the Next Decade
The conference featured a participatory dynamic focused on XAVI’s strategic areas: rights and family, housing, leisure and culture, and public space. Participants also contributed proposals for the network’s next 10 years, looking ahead to 2036. This forward-thinking approach aims to ensure continuous progress in creating a more accessible and inclusive Barcelona.
Collective Commitment to an Accessible Future
The annual conference reaffirmed a collective commitment to advancing towards a more accessible future for everyone. With over 70 committed organizations, XAVI continues its dedicated work towards fostering a more just and inclusive society. The collaborative spirit and shared vision demonstrated at the event are crucial for achieving these ambitious goals.
For more information about XAVI, please consult their official resources.
