International Conference on Rehabilitation
Budapest, Congress Park Hotel Flamenco
30-31 January 2006

Ministerial Welcome

by Mrs. Margaret Hodge, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, United Kingdom I am delighted to join Mr Gábor Csizmár in welcoming you to the "Successful Practice in Disability Employment & Rehabilitation" Conference. This event will focus on policy making and employment programmes for people with disabilities who may face particular challenges when seeking to enter or return to employment. These are issues of increasing interest to all our countries. Over the next two days, we hope that there will be a productive and open exchange which will allow us to consider different perspectives on the questions raised, and to share best practice and ideas about how we can respond effectively to them. I trust you will benefit from exchanging ideas with colleagues from across Europe and beyond at this conference, and enjoy spending time here in this beautiful city. I hope that you have a chance to enjoy what Budapest has to offer and I look forward to meeting you. Mrs. Margaret Hodge

by Mr Gabor Csizmár, Minister of Employment and Labour, Hungary It is with pleasure that I extend my greetings to the first European Union conference in Budapest where all the old and new member-states are being represented. I am filled with pride as Budapest is hosting an event which is designed to present best practices in occupational rehabilitation. 4M, a highly successful UK-Hungarian showcase programme, which has been operating in Hungary since early November 2002, now encompasses 7 counties. I wish to thank the British partners not only for transferring their techniques but also for making a significant contribution to organising this conference. A conference like this can make an important difference in stimulating the employment of people with reduced work capacities. The introduction of a new system of sheltered employment, a nationwide network of Rehabilitation Information Centres, together with our alternative labour market services may offer some lessons for experts from the new member-states. I am confident that the near future will see the emergence of many new good practices and examples of occupational rehabilitation in the member-states of the European Union. It is my hope that the conference participants will have a rich and productive exchange of ideas, get a comprehensive picture of occupational rehabilitation in Hungary, and gain positive experience in Budapest. Mr. Gábor Csizmár