Between 31 August and 4 September, Alzheimer Europe will hold an exhibition in the European Parliament to raise awareness of dementia and call on European decision-makers to prioritise dementia as a greater policy matter at EU level.
On the evening of 1 September, a reception will be held in the European Parliament, bringing together MEPs, people with lived experience, national Alzheimer’s associations and industry representatives to view the exhibition and discuss how to collaborate to strengthen the European response to dementia.
The exhibition and reception will be hosted by Alzheimer Europe with the support of Nina Carberry MEP (EPP, Ireland).
Key objectives:
Raise awareness of dementia prevalence and its impact.
Showcase developments over the past decade, as well as ongoing actions and developments in the dementia field, including at the European and national level.
Highlight continuing gaps, challenges and inequalities.
Present clear recommendations for EU policymakers.
Encourage political commitment and action.
Luxembourg, 24 August 2026 – Next week, Alzheimer Europe will hold an exhibition and reception in the European Parliament under the title “Alzheimer Europe: Shaping Europe’s response to dementia”. We are incredibly grateful to Nina Carberry MEP (EPP, Ireland) and her staff for their invaluable support in making this exhibition possible.
The exhibition, which will run from Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September, will convey a set of core messages that are central to Alzheimer Europe’s public policy work. These build on the work of our #DementiaNeedsEU campaign, which was launched during the European Parliament Elections in 2024.
The posters and accompanying materials displayed during the exhibition will present updated information on dementia, including prevalence figures, developments in anti-amyloid treatments and national dementia strategies. The exhibition’s key messages will convey that:
Dementia is one of Europe's most significant health and societal challenges, with the number of people affected expected to rise significantly in the coming decades.
Policy decisions have a direct impact on the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.
Early diagnosis, equitable access to support and dementia-inclusive communities improve quality of life.
Initiatives to combat the stigma and negative perceptions associated with dementia improve understanding of the condition and improve the lives of people living with dementia.
Collaboration between European-level institutions, national governments and communities is essential to address current and future challenges.
Continued political commitment is needed to ensure dementia remains a priority within European policy.
The target audience will primarily be Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), European Parliament staff and visitors. The exhibition will provide an opportunity to share information and knowledge with these audiences, whilst exploring opportunities for collaboration to prioritise dementia at an EU level.
On the evening of 1 September, a reception will be held in the European Parliament with participation of MEPs, people with lived experience, national Alzheimer’s associations and industry representatives, who will view the exhibition and discuss how to collaborate on strengthening dementia policy.
As the exhibition coincides with the start of World Alzheimer’s Month, which runs throughout September, Alzheimer Europe will launch a campaign with video messages from nine MEPs. These video messages address pressing topics including prevention, gender, diagnosis and treatments, with a common thread across all videos: the need for dedicated EU action on dementia. We are very grateful to all nine MEPs for taking the time to participate in this campaign, and look forward to welcoming them and their colleagues to our exhibition and reception.
Nina Carberry MEP has expressed optimism that the exhibition could bring much-needed attention and focus to dementia as a policy issue at an EU level:
“The Alzheimer Europe European Parliament Exhibition represents a truly exciting opportunity to raise the profile of dementia within the European Parliament. With 9.1 million people living with dementia in the EU, and the number expected to increase to over 14 million by 2050, it is vital for European policy-makers to step up and take action.
We need to collectively push for stronger EU policies, better funding and more accessible supports across health, research and social policies. As our population ages, we must plan properly for the future and ensure accessible, affordable support for people living with dementia.
It is our responsibility to talk about dementia, challenge stigma and show support for people living with the condition, for their carers and for their families.”
Commenting on the exhibition, Jean Georges, Executive Director, Alzheimer Europe, stated:
“Alzheimer Europe is delighted to have the opportunity to hold this exhibition and reception in the European Parliament, and we are immensely grateful to Nina Carberry MEP for her support to make this happen.
Over the past decade, dementia has fallen down the political agenda at an EU level, despite the rising number of people living with the condition and the concerning projections for the years ahead.
Coordinated actions are needed across the domains of health, research and social policy to create a cohesive and coordinated response to dementia. The EU Beating Cancer Plan showed that the EU has the means and capacity to play a leading role in addressing a key public health challenge – it is time for the EU to step up and show the same dedication to addressing dementia.”
Further information on the exhibition, including the MEP videos, is available at: https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/european-parliament-exhibition
