History
The leading NGO of the Deaf in Europe since 1985
European Union of the Deaf’ reputation as the only and leading Non-Governmental Organisation of the Deaf in Europe is well deserved. Over the year, EUD has started many new initiatives and always been a political hub for all deaf associations in Europe.
Some highlights from the history of EUD:
British Deaf Association invited the first ad-hoc meeting of National Associations of the Deaf based in the European Economic Community, held in London on 6-7 March 1985, under the auspices of World Federation of the Deaf and partly funded by the European Economic Community. 9 European countries attended this meeting, which led to the establishment of European Community Regional Secretariat.
By the end of 1989, ECRS have 11 European countries as members.
The delegates of deaf associations in Europe voted at the General Assembly Meeting of 10 October 1994 to change the name “ECRS” to European Union of the Deaf, hereafter referred to as “EUD”.
In 1996, the delegates at the EUD General Assembly Meeting voted to establish the EUD as a formal European association with legal status under an appropriate Belgian law.
EUD was re-established in 1997 as an international association with scientific, humanitarian, religious, artistic or educational purposes under the Belgian Act.
On 19 November 2010, during the Brussels Declaration conference, the EUD celebrated its 25 years anniversary with a gala dinner in Brussels.
Currently, EUD have 30 member countries and 6 affiliated members and based in Brussels.
