From 16 to 18 October, the 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference (33AEC) took place in the Finnish capital Helsinki, where the Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen (the Flemish Alzheimer’s association) and the Flemish Working Group of People with Dementia had the opportunity to present the mission and the recent campaign of the Flemish Working Group. The Working Group is supported by Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen Olivier Constant, Advocacy and Awareness Raising Officer Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen and Coordinator of the Flemish Working Group of People with Dementia (pictured, right) and Réal Larnou (member of both the Flemish Working Group and the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD) coordinated by Alzheimer Europe) had a clear message for delegates: "Just like you and me, people with dementia still have big and small dreams. Giving them the opportunity to make them come true is not a luxury for the chosen few, but a basic human right. Treat people with dementia as the unique individuals that they are instead of patronising them!”
The call to action for respectful communication of the Flemish Working Group's media manifesto (which they also translated from Dutch to English for the Conference) and the accompanying "First Aid Kit" (verbandoosje) received a lot of support. From Estonia to Wales and from the Netherlands to Ireland, so many attendees from different countries were enthusiastic after the presentation. It certainly encourages the Flemish Working Group of People with Dementia to continue working on its mission! In addition, as Chairman of the Flemish Alzheimer’s Association, Jef Pelgrims participated on behalf of the Flemish association's national colleagues from LINAL in the Annual General Meeting of Alzheimer Europe, where all member organisations are represented at European level and Réal Larnou was also active in the session of the EWGPWD. A well-filled agenda! The Flemish delegation can look back on intense but inspiring days at the Alzheimer Europe Conference, which attracted more than 1,000 attendees this year! They left cold Finland with a suitcase full of warm memories.
