EPHA working meetings
EPHA met with the AGE platform on 4 September to discuss the event entitled ’Main-streaming Healthy Ageing.’ This is to be held in the European parliament with Lambert Van Nistelrooij MEP and Claude Moraes MEP. Please contact the Secretariat for more details.
On 5 September EPHA met with ASPHER in order to explore the engagement of NGOs and civil society in the annual ASPHER-EUPHA conferences. Talks are on-going.
On 10 September, EPHA participated in a round table on CAP reform with a number of Brussels-based NGOs.
EPHA Working Groups
The EPHA Policy Coordination Group meeting and the Pharmaceutical/Healthcare Working Group took place on 24 September. The minutes of the working groups will be available on the Members Only Section of the EPHA website
EPHA organised a Pilot Internship Programme in the first week of September 2008. This programme was set up for new interns starting in the EPHA Secretariat and for EPHA members. EPHA also opened this week to HEAL. The training week focussed on knowledge of the European Union and how it works, policy making at EU level and practical session such as presentation performance and project writing
EPHA, your ’eyes and ears’ in Brussels
On 28 August 2008, EPHA attended a hearing in the European Parliament on ’the Provision of Food Information to Consumers’ organized by the Rapporteur, MEP Renate Sommer. Please contact the Secretariat for more details.
On 4-6 September 2008, EPHA participated in the European Civic Days in La Rochelle - France and, in particular in a workshop on how Associations contribute to the European construction. Please find a report of this meeting at the EPHA website
On 9 September 2008, EPHA attended a reception organised by an EPHA member, the European Alcohol Policy Alliance (EUROCARE) to raise concerns on the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. To read a short report of the presentations put forward at the reception, please visit Eurocare Evening Reception on ’Alcohol and Pregnancy’
On 10 September, EPHA attended a session of the ENVI Committee on "Together for Health: A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013." Please contact the Secretariat for more details.
On 17 September, EPHA attended the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. The focus of September’s meeting was health-enhancing physical activity. The meeting was chaired by Robert Madelin from DG Sanco. To read a report of this meeting, please check the EPHA website/members only section
On 25 September, EPHA attended a plenary debate in the European Parliament on the Council and Commission statements of the Health Aspects of the Social Package (Patients Rights Mobility on Cross border healthcare). Please contact the Secretariat for more details.
EPHA health advocacy
In September 2008, EPHA participated in several Wrap up sessions and the Sherpa meeting for the High Level Group of the Agro Food Industry Competitiveness. The meetings will prepare policy input and recommendation for the High Level Group meeting in December 2008.
On 11 September 2008, EPHA had a meeting with the European Heart Network and the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) to discuss joint advocacy action on Food Information to consumers (labelling).
On 17 September 2008, EPHA participated in the European Public Services Unions Strategy Meeting to share our position on the proposed Directive on Patients Rights Mobility on Cross border healthcare.
EPHA met with the ALDE Party Secretariat on 18 September to discuss various issues coming on the agenda in the Parliament this Autumn. The topics discussed included Information to Patients, the Patients’ Rights Directive and the Food Labeling proposal.
EPHA was invited by the Social Platform to present its position and planned activities on the Patients Rights Proposal on 22 September. The participants responded with interest and were keen to explore ways for the Social Platform members to become involved in the work plan.
On 23 September, EPHA met with John Bowis MEP, Rapporteur of the Patient Rights’ Directive to exchange opinions on the Patients’ Rights Directive and be updated of the work going on in the European Parliament
