Alzheimer Europe hosts public affairs meeting for members

Monday 14 March 2011

Members and staff of Alzheimer Europe participated in a Public Affairs meeting on 14 and 15 March 2011 in Brussels, Belgium. Representatives from ten national Alzheimer associations (Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Poland and Portugal) attended. The first half of the meeting was dedicated to European policy developments including:

• The European policy context for dementia. This was presented by Alzheimer Europe’s Public Affairs Officer, Annette Dumas who discussed the European Alzheimer’s Initiative, the Joint Programming of Neurodegenerative Diseases, the European Joint Action, the Active and Healthy Ageing Innovation Partnership and the European year of Active Ageing. In addition, Annette also talked about cross border healthcare, the Pharmaceutical package, the Citizens’ Initiative, the Alliance for MRI and the Clinical Trials directive.
• The development of a public affairs strategy within Alzheimer Europe. The team of Alzheimer Europe discussed various ways in which a strategy can be developed. Annette highlighted the work of the European Alzheimer’s Alliance and the lunch debates held in the European Parliament. Julie Fraser (Communication Officer) illustrated various ways in which news can be reported in the newsletter and also in the Dementia in Europe magazine. Dianne Gove (Information Officer) presented the latest Dementia in Europe Yearbook (2010) and Jean Georges (Executive Director) discussed possible ways in which the 2006 Paris Declaration (which contains Alzheimer Europe’s political priorities) can be updated.

In the second half of the meeting the floor was given to the national Alzheimer member organisations, representatives of which presented the current situation within their country regarding campaigns, national strategies and policy developments. Lively discussions ensued and the meeting ended by all participants discussing the development of a model dementia strategy (in line with Alzheimer Europe’s 2011 work plan).

For further information about the 2011 work plan please see the Alzheimer Europe website at:

http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/EN/Alzheimer-Europe/Our-work/2011-Work-Plan