Secretariat News September 2009

EPHA working meetings

On 1 September and 28 September EPHA had working meetings with the Jesuit Refugee Service with the aim of supporting their organisation of a European Conference on Destitution in early 2011. EPHA has agreed to be on the steering committee.

On 11 September EPHA organised a preparatory meeting with a number of NGOs in advance of the plenary meeting of the Platform for Diet, Physical Activity and Health. The background documents will be made available online shortly.

From 21 to 24 September 2009 to EPHA attended the strategy planning meeting developing the network priorities for the next two years for the Action for Global Health project.

On 25 September 2009 EPHA attended a working meeting with the European Heart Network (EHN) and BEUC (the European Consumers’ Organisation) to discuss future advocacy action on the Food Information to Consumers dossier.

EPHA working groups

On 8 September 2009 EPHA hosted the monthly Policy Coordination Meeting and also organised the Special Interest Group meetings for Health Determinants and Health Systems. The minutes will be made available online shortly.

EPHA, your ’eyes and ears’ in Brussels

On 1-2 September 2009 EPHA attended the meeting of the ENVI Committee in the European Parliament. The Committee welcomed Zsuzsanna Jakab, Director of the European Centre for Disease Control, and the Swedish Ministers for Welfare, Elderly and Public Health.

Eurocare hosted an event in the European Parliament on Alcohol and Pregnancy on 9 September 2009. Please read a full article here

The European Heart Network organised the Euroheart Conference on 10 September 2009 in cooperation with the European Society of Cardiologists.

On 14 September 2009, EPHA attended a technical meeting hosted by the European Food Safety Authority on risk assessment procedures for GMOs. Please read the full report here

On 15 and 16 September 2009 EPHA attended the hearing and vote confirming Manuel Barroso as the next President of the European Commission.

From 21-22 September 2009, EPHA participated in the Swedish Presidency Alcohol Expert Conference held in Stockholm. Please find a full report here

EPHA attended the first Thematic Conference within the framework of the Pact for Mental Health and Well-being from 29-30 September 2009. This conference focussed on the mental health of young people and children.

On September 30 2009 EPHA attended a meeting of the Life Sciences Circle in the European Parliament on counterfeit medicines and pharmaco-vigilance.

On September 30 EPHA gave a presentation at a training session organised by Health First Europe in the European Parliament.

EPHA health advocacy

On September 10 2009 EPHA co-chaired the first Global Health Policy Forum which was hosted and co-Chaired by the European Commission DG Development.

EPHA attended the plenary meeting of the Platform for Diet, Physical Activity and Health on 11 September 2009. A full meeting report will be made available shortly.

On 22 September EPHA organised a seminar on pricing issues and the link to alcohol-related harm at the Swedish Presidency Alcohol and Health Expert Conference. Please find a full report here