On 5-6 December 2023, Alzheimer Europe hosted its final in-person meetings of the year, in Brussels. The organisation was delighted to welcome representatives from 18 of its member associations from all across Europe, providing a forum in which to share learnings, challenges, and good practices regarding policy developments and campaigning activities at both national and European level. The meeting started with a warm welcome from Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis, Chairperson of Alzheimer Europe (Portugal), followed by a series of presentations by Alzheimer Europe staff and from members. Topics included:
• The Helsinki Manifesto: Policy Officer Owen Miller shared some opportunities for EU advocacy activities, while Project Communications Officer Christophe Bintener shared some ideas and plans for national advocacy activities around the Manifesto.
• The advent of anti-amyloid treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in Europe: Director for Research and Policy Angela Bradshaw presented Alzheimer Europe’s call for action in this area.
• The European Dementia Monitor: Executive Director Jean Georges shared some opportunities for EU advocacy activities and ideas for collaboration with Members of the European Parliament, inviting member associations attending the meeting to share their reactions to the Monitor and discuss ideas for national advocacy around this new publication.
• Brain health in national Alzheimer’s associations: Angela Bradshaw shared some highlights in the area of brain health and dementia, from the 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference in Helsinki, while member associations from France (Lorène Gilly, France Alzheimer), Lithuania (Ieva Petkutė, Dementia Lithuania), Netherlands (Julie Meerveld, Alzheimer Nederland), United Kingdom - Scotland (Mary-Frances Morris, Alzheimer Scotland) and Switzerland (Stefanie Becker, Alzheimer Suisse) shared some examples of brain health programmes and activities in their countries.
A discussion session followed, around some of the needs of Alzheimer Europe’s members, regarding their work to promote brain health activities at national level. In closing, Jean Georges shared some of Alzheimer Europe’s scheduled meeting dates and planned activities for 2024 and then gave the floor to Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis who closed the meeting, reminding national member organisations of the next Public Affairs meeting, on 19-20 March 2024, in Brussels.
