General Assembly

We host a General Assembly to provide a unique opportunity for our members to come together every 2 years to connect, learn from each other and make important decisions about:

  1. Leadership
  2. New members and
  3. Strategic plan

World Congress

Where possible, we also host a World Congress every 4 years. It is our most important event. It is a time for members to meet, learn about what is happening in other parts of the world, get new ideas, share successes and challenges, and strengthen their identity as part of a global movement.

History of events

2022POSTPONED due to COVID-1918th World Congress
2020Building inclusion together, while working safely apartGeneral AssemblyVirtual due to COVID-19
2018Learn, Inspire, Lead17th World CongressBirmingham, UK
2016Shaping the Future General AssemblyFlorida, USA
2014A Better World for All- No one left behindGeneral AssemblyVirtual
2014CANCELLED: A Better World for All – No one Left behind16th World Congress Nairobi, Kenya
2012Achieving Inclusion Across the GlobeGeneral AssemblyWashington DC, USA
2010Transforming Global Rights into Action15th World Congress and General Assembly Berlin, Germany
2008Transforming Rights into ActionGeneral AssemblyOttawa, Canada
2006Building an Inclusive Future14th World CongressAcapulco, Mexico
2004Disability and Poverty – Achieving the Millennium Development GoalGeneral Assembly Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso
2002Life, Liberty, Security13th World CongressMelbourne, Australia
2000General Assembly
1998Partners in Action12th World CongressHague, Netherlands
1996General Assembly
1994 A Community for All11th World CongressNew Delhi, India
1990Turning Rights into Realities10th World CongressParis, France
1988 General Assembly
1986 A Challenge for All – Together We Can Do It!9th World CongressRio de Janeiro, Brazil
1982Partnership8th World Congress  Nairobi, Kenya
1980General Assembly
1978Choices7th World Congress Vienna, Austria
1975Priorities and Perspectives6th World Congress Dublin, Ireland
1974General Assembly
1972Suit the Action to the World5th World CongressMontreal, Canada
1970General Assembly
1968From Charity to Rights4th World CongressJerusalem, Israel
1966General Assembly and
3rd World Congress 		Paris, France
1964General Assembly
2nd World Congress		Copenhagen
1963Education and Social Integration of the Mentally Handicapped1st World CongressBrussels, Belgium
1962General AssemblyCopenhagen
1960General AssemblyLondon, UK