Decisions become a shared concern
The sessions covered inclusion, making decisions, speaking up, human rights and the UN disability convention. Participants worked individually and in groups to apply those ideas. Mapemba reported that people wanted to use what they had learned to change how they represented themselves and approached community barriers. [1]
Peers lead the training
Empower Us was developed by self-advocates and is led by an international team of self-advocate leaders. Its approach combines accessible rights training, practical leadership resources and exchanges between groups. Member organisations receive guidance on supporting people to make their own voices heard. [2]
Support continues after the workshop
In March 2024, Inclusion International reported that the Angolan group was developing advocacy activities with Apegada. The regional project, supported by Finland’s foreign ministry, included continuing expert guidance, monitoring and opportunities to exchange experiences. Mapemba described both the Angolan and Zambian groups as actively advocating following their training.