INTERDEM is a network of researchers interested in psychosocial interventions, made up of more than 600 researchers and academics with different professional disciplines, spread across 20 countries (18 of which are in Europe). The INTERDEM network celebrated its 25th anniversary at its Annual Meeting at the CICG conference centre in Geneva on 7 and 8 October 2024, prior to the 34th Alzheimer Europe Conference (#34AEC). On 7 October, the meeting kicked off with a welcome from INTERDEM Chairperson Marjolein de Vugt, to all researchers present. Then there was an introduction to new members by Rabih Chattat, a session chaired by Myrra Vernooij-Dassen titled “Research road map”, and a keynote presentation about the WHO’s global response to dementia, delivered by Katrin Seeher in a session chaired by Martin Orrell. Other sessions on this first day included an update of the JPND Working Group INTEREST and a business meeting to discuss new initiatives.
On the second day, 8 October, attendees were split into different “taskforce” groups, to discuss topics including Young Onset Dementia, Intersectionality, Inequalities, and Social Health. A final plenary session was chaired by Esme Moniz-Cook on taskforce progress. Lastly, Frans Verhey chaired a session on the INTERDEM Academy that included a presentation of the publication winner Jacoba Huizinga together with Gerda van Tongerloo who reflected on her role in research as a person with dementia. Alzheimer Europe is proud to be a key partner of INTERDEM and was represented at the Annual Meeting by Dianne Gove, Director for Ethics and Public Involvement, Ana Diaz, Public Involvement Lead, and Lukas Duffner, Project Officer.
