IDAHO Forum: Montenegro continues its leadership role in region

Copenhagen, Denmark (10 May 2016) – The fourth IDAHO International Forum, taking place annually ahead of 17 May – the International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia and Biphobia, started earlier today in Copenhagen and will last for the next two days.

IDAHO 2016 will concentrate on issues of building bridges and alliances, with special emphasis on LGBTI people in the labour market and social acceptance of LGBTI people. Focus will be placed on the key drivers of advancing diversity and inclusion of LGBTI people, as well as on cooperation among countries, companies, NGOs, non-governmental organisations and experts.

Minister for Human and Minority Rights of Montenegror Suad Numanović handed over, on behalf of the Government, the IDAHO flag to the Government of Denmark, the host of this year's forum, and signed a declaration of intent pledging full support to activities in the fight against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia at national, European and international levels.

In his address at the ministerial meeting, which was held during the first day of the IDAHO Forum, Minister Numanović underscored the strong commitment of the Montenegrin Government to promoting rights of LGBTI people, in which Montenegro holds the leaderhip role in the Western Balkans and is recognised as a reliable and important partner at the global level.

It was noted that the LGBT policy has been improved and measures undertaken to support the inclusion of LGBTI population at all levels. The Forum undeerlined the significance of fostering such a business environment which will enable all the people to feel good and achieve their full potential in the workplace.

In that context, Minister Numanović announced the OutLeadership initiative as a platform for the promotion of diversity and LGBT inclusion in the Western Balkans. This initiative is led by the Government of Montenegro, in partnership with OutLeadership New York, US UCLA Faculty of Law - Williams Institute, Egale Canada, and the European Commission on Sexual Orientation Law (ESCOL), as well as a number of other institutions, universities and the world's best-known experts in this field.

The forum commended the Government of Montenegro’s efforts at national and international levels in this field and welcomed the OutLeadership initiatives in support of building a positive and inclusive environment for LGBT people.

Minister Numanović presented the LGBTI Package for the Western Balkans, which has been created in partnership with the USA-based Williams Institute and UCLA Law School, and Egale Canada. The package of programmes will bring best practices to deal with myths and stereotypes about LGBT people, thus encouraging governments to provide equal rights and opportunities for all its citizens, regardless of their personal features, and strengthen the democratic capacity of every society. The aim of the package is to ensure the availability of updated and practical educational programmes to combat all forms of discrimination and violence, as well as the implementation of these restrictions in order to strengthen human rights and equality, and greater visibility of LGBT people.

The fourth DAHO Forum gathered European ministers and government officials, representatives of the European Commission, Council of Europe, ILGA-Europe and other prominent stakeholders committed to equality of LGBTI persons.