The European Governmental LGBTI Focal Points Network’s (EFPN) IDAHOT+ Forum finally returns this year with a live event on 12 May 2022 in the city of Limassol, Cyprus. This long-awaited reunion is co-hosted by the Republic of Cyprus and the UK Governments, with the support of the Council of Europe’s SOGI Unit.
The annual IDAHOT+ Forum aims to strengthen cooperation and understanding on LGBTI+ politics between European Governments, International Governmental Organisations, International Civil Society Organisations, Businesses, Academics, and key stakeholders. As the main European event where governments and key stakeholders meet to assess the progress of LGBTI+ rights in the continent, celebrate achievements and set new goals, the event is highly anticipated by many. Each time, the organisation of the Forum is carried out by different EFPN-member governments allowing the discussions on LGBTI+ matters to reach government departments that could otherwise be difficult to reach.
A number of high-level speakers will be making this year's IDAHOT+ Forum a worthy meeting point for those working to progress on LGBTI+ rights. What we consider our “Common” European Values face real threats. Human Dignity, Freedom, Democracy, Equality, Rule of Law, and Human Rights have underpinned European institutions and progress over the last decades. However, they are being impacted by governments’ actions, by the Covid-19 crisis and now the war in Ukraine. The discussions will include the following:
- War in Ukraine: Challenges to our Common European Values Through the Experiences of LGBTI+ People
- The Benefits of LGBTI+ Inclusion in Businesses – D&I as a core element of ESG and CSR investment
- Protecting the rights of LGBTI+ refugees and migrants
- Governmental and Cross-Sector Solidarity in Countering Anti-Gender Attacks
- Rule of law and LGBTI+ rights
- The Roles of Different Sectors in Ending Conversion Therapy for LGBTI+
European Civil Society Organisations will present the State of LGBTI+ Rights in Europe in 2022, and publish their annual maps:
- ILGA-Europe - Rainbow Index 2022
- TGEU - Trans Rights Map of Europe & Central Asia 2022
- OII - Good Practice Map
- IGLYO - 2nd LGBTQI Inclusive Education Map, Index & Report
On 13 May, the European LGBTI Governmental Focal Points Network will also hold its 29th Roundtable. During these roundtables, the EFPN shares experiences on European laws and policies concerning LGBTI persons and provides peer-to-peer support for member states to mainstream SOGIESC Equality within their national contexts through policy or legal reform. It supports the Committee on Discrimination and Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI) in implementing relevant tasks of its mandate, in assessing the implementation of the CM/Rec(2010)5 recommendation and advises governments, police authorities, parliamentarians and legislators on possible revision of the standards.
