The  European Working Group of People with Dementia - EWGPWD - was launched by Alzheimer Europe and its member associations in early 2012. The group is composed entirely of people with dementia who are nominated by their national Alzheimer associations. They work to ensure that the activities, projects and meetings of Alzheimer Europe duly reflect the priorities and views of people with dementia. The group operates independently, with members electing their own Board and setting an agenda of activities. The Chairperson is also an ex-officio member on the Board of Alzheimer Europe with full voting rights.

During the group’s first two terms of office (2012-2014, 2014-2016), the members of the EWGPWD actively participated in the Alzheimer Europe conferences and gave keynote presentations in the European Parliament. In addition, they contributed to several consultations for different European projects where AE is involved and to the work that AE develops.

Members of the group have also contributed to research conducted by external organisations on topics such as outcome measures that are meaningful to people with dementia and their carers, social health and people with dementia as peer-researchers. They have attended various international dementia events and given numerous interviews, both in their countries and internationally.

A meeting of existing and new members of the group, their carers and AE staff (October 2016, Copenhagen)