Today, during a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development (DEVE), as part of European Disability Rights Week 2025, PiS MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska emphasized the need to build global partnerships that promote inclusive employment and combat the segregation of people with disabilities.
Gosiewska noted that human dignity must remain at the heart of development policies. “Employment is not just an economic issue, but an expression of respect for the individual and their right to full participation in society,” she emphasized. She also noted that the economic participation of people with disabilities strengthens economies and the stability of local communities.
According to the MEP, in many countries—including within the EU—people with disabilities still face multidimensional exclusion. Effectively combating segregation requires coherent policies, well-developed infrastructure, public education, and effective support systems. “Public policies should strengthen local communities, because it is the family, the neighborhood, and local organizations that play a key role in the integration process,” she said.
Gosiewska called for facilitating access to education and training, eliminating architectural and transportation barriers, and investing in technologies that promote independence. She also highlighted the need to respect the sovereignty and cultural specificities of developing countries. As she noted, research by the OECD and UNDP shows that copying European solutions without adapting them to local realities often leads to low program effectiveness.
She also emphasized the role of micro- and small enterprises, which create the majority of jobs in developing countries and can serve as a key environment for labor market integration. “The most lasting results come from systemic, long-term actions based on the principle of subsidiarity,” she noted.
In conclusion, Gosiewska called for building partnerships based on dialogue, mutual learning, and a joint search for realistic, locally tailored solutions.
