Dear Readers:

The second special issue of the Voice of ELSA in 2001 is devoted to two themes (1) reporting on ELSA's activities during the 6th World Congress for People Who Stutter in Ghent and (2) the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

No doubt: The World Congress, bringing together 240 people from all around the world (in fact, all five continents were represented), was this year's highlight as regards international cooperation between National Stuttering Associations. From the European point of view, ELSA successfully made the Congress a part of the 2000/2001 co-ordination project funded by the European Commission: We made stuttering and discrimination a theme at the congress with a workshop held jointly with the International Stuttering Association. Also, ELSA's relationship to the European Disability Forum in Bruxelles helped enrich the opening ceremony by a speech delivered by Stefan Trömel, Director of the EDF. Furthermore, there was a workshop on how to establish a website on the internet aimed at National Stuttering Associations who want to develop online information services.

Many other things related to ELSA's work happenend during the week in Ghent: Informal contacts with attendees from "new" European countries were made. ELSA had contributed to a fund subsidising the congress fees of people in need. During the AGM, the Croatian Association of People Who Stutter (CAPS) was welcomed as a new ELSA member. At one evening, participants who took part in one of the ELSA Youth Meetings came together to exchange experiences and revive their memories. ELSA received an award from the International Stuttering Association for the European League's contribution to ISA's development. ELSA congratulates the new ISA Board of Directors wishing them every success and expressing that ELSA is looking forward to future cooperation.

Edwin J. Farr (GB) Konrad Schaefers (D)

This newsletter has been printed with support from the European Community - The European Union against discrimination. The information contained in this newsletter does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission.