On 2 December 2025 (14:00–16:30), the European Union of the Deaf and MEP Pál Szekeres will host a special anniversary event at the European Parliament in Brussels to mark 40 years of advocacy, empowerment and progress for deaf people across Europe.
The event will highlight key achievements in the recognition of national sign languages, reflect on remaining challenges, and explore the way forward towards a European Day of Sign Languages and the officialisation of national sign languages at EU level.
This event is co-hosted by MEP Pál Szekeres and the European Union of the Deaf, with the support of the Disability Intergroup.
Registration is compulsory. Register via the link – places are limited.
Deadline: 24 November 2025
Concept note
A signing Europe
40 years of advocacy for sign language rights
Date: 2 December 2025 | Time: 14:00-16:30
Location: European Parliament, Brussels
This event is co-hosted by MEP Pál Szekeres and the European Union of the Deaf with the support of the Disability Intergroup
Background & Purpose:
The European Union of the Deaf (EUD) marks a significant milestone in 2025 after forty years of advocacy, empowerment, and progress for deaf people across Europe. This anniversary event offers a unique opportunity to highlight the achievements of the European deaf communities in Europe, reflect on the current challenges, and shape the future agenda for equality through sign languages. By taking place at the European Parliament, the event aims to emphasise that the anniversary is not only a celebration of EUD’s work, but also that EUD work is a contribution to the functioning of the European Union
Objectives:
- Present on the main achievements in the recognition of the national sign languages and the promotion of the rights of deaf sign language users in Europe;
- Discover the work undertaken by the European Union of the Deaf in the field of sign language and deaf people’s rights within the European Union and beyond;
- Reflect on the main shortcomings and areas of action to achieve full equality of deaf people in Europe;
- Promote exchange of thoughts and discussions between the European Union institutions’ representatives, the European Union of the Deaf, the National Associations of the Deaf, the civil society movement and allies;
- Identify ways forward to the adoption of the European Day of Sign Languages and the officialisation of national sign languages at the European Union level.
Audience:
- Members of the European Parliament
- Representatives of National Associations of the Deaf
- Representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the European Union
- Organisations of Persons with Disabilities
