Newsletter April 2006

Developing partnership with public health NGOs in Lithuania

Within the framework of networking for public health in new EU member states, the project coordinator and assistant visited several NGOs in Lithuania in an attempt to involve more organisations in project activities. During the two days from 30-31 March 2006, the project coordinator, A. Knabe, and assistant, I. Murniece, met with five NGOs in Lithuania: Non-Governmental Organisation Information and Support Centre Lithuanian Red Cross Association Coalition of Vulnerable Groups (...)

Seminar on socially disadvantaged children in the European Parliament

The experiences of socially disadvantaged children in the decision-making processes are explored in an event organised by Eurochild in the European Parliament on 7 June 2006. In advance of the publication of the Communication on the Rights of the Child, to be released by the European Commission on the initiative of Commissioner Franco Frattini in July 2006, socially disadvantaged children will describe their experiences in participating in decision-making processes that directly concern (...)

EPHA submits project proposal for “ECHANT”: European Child and Adolescent Health and Well-Being Network

The European Commission - Health and Consumer Protection DG - launched its Call for Proposals 2006 with a deadline for applications of 19 May. Children and young people are one of the priority areas. The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is an alliance of more than 100 non governmental and non for profit organisations working for health in Europe. We are currently leading a major EU funded project which will end up in December 2006 and we are involved in several other projects as (...)

Secretariat News April 2006

Eimear O’Loughlin and Diana Folescu joined the Secretariat. Events that EPHA attended Diana Folescu attended the seminar in Support of Kenyan-Brazil Research and Development Resolution Anne Hoel and Lara Garrido Herrero represented EPHA during the Health Policy Forum. Eimear O’Loughlin represented EPHA in the NGO Strategy Meeting on Direct to Consumer Advertsing and Medicines Information. Events that EPHA organised The EPHA team took part in a two-day workshop on (...)

Consultation with NGOs in Slovenia, Slovakia and Poland

From 3-7 April, 2006, EPHA’s Regional Project Coordinator Agnese Knabe visited organisations in Slovenia, Slovakia and Poland regarding partnership creation within the EPHA EU funded-project activities. In January 2006, EPHA launched a call for the expression of interest for partnership for organisations in new EU member states. To support the approved applicants in implementing the proposed activities, EPHA’s project coordinator visited 4 organisations (Slovenia, Slovakia, (...)

*UPDATED* ECJ case on Swedish alcohol retail monopoly

*UPDATE: On 5 June 2007 the European Court of Justice ruled that the Swedish monopoly is a disproportionate measure to attain the objective of limiting alcohol consumption in general and limiting underage drinking. The ECJ concluded that the monopoly was against the EU principle of free movement of goods, and that it was therefore not compatible with EU law. Despite that judgement, Maria Larsson, Swedish public health minister, confirmed that the alcohol monopoly will stay put and that the (...)

Mental Health Europe seminar on the Green Paper on Mental Health

Mental Health Europe organises a seminar on the 12 May 2006 to discuss about the European Commission Green Paper on Mental Health. The seminar aims to exchange ideas on Mental Health Europe response to the Green Paper, more particularly on a public policy approach to Mental health, as well as an emphasis on positive Mental Health and well-being. The second part of the seminar intends to give participants a general overview of some EU Member States’ initiatives to tackle mental (...)

*UPDATED* European Citizens’ Initiative launched

An alliance of European civil societies have launched a campaign entitled the European Citizens’ Initiative. It is calling for the introduction of the citizens’ right of initiative in the EU. The European Citizens’ initiative (ECI) would require the European Commission to respond to a proposed change in European law signed by at least one million EU citizens. This would enable European citizens and civil society organizations to directly influence the political agenda of (...)

Assessing the health of prisoners in Europe

the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the World Health Organisation - Europe Region have joined forces to build a database assessing the health of prisoners in Europe. Among other issues, the database particularly intends to draw the attention on the prevalence of drug abuse within the target group. Although the full database will only be available online as of July 2006, the first step of the project focuses on drug prevalence and entails a database on (...)

EEN wins Children’s Environmental Health Recognition Award

In March 2006, EPHA Environment Network received the Children’s Environmental Health Recognition Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Children’s Health Protection. The prize intends to recognise ongoing and sustainable dedication and notable leadership in protecting children from environmental health risks at local, regional, national and international level. It was awarded to EPHA Environment Network for a youth participatory project (...)