Highlights of this issue include a report on the European Parliamentary lunch debate regarding the swift European action on dementia and a look at the achievements of the European Alzheimer’s Alliance. The 19 ^th Annual Alzheimer Europe Conference in Belgium is covered as are various national initiatives including the Dutch national dementia plan, the exchange of best practices on dealing with behaviour symptoms at home and the Swedish Presidency Conference on dignified ageing. This edition also has snapshots from Alzheimer associations’ celebrations for 2009 World Alzheimer Day.