NEWSLETTER April 2010 due to the travel disruption Highlights in this issue Editorial caused by the volcano in Iceland, we had to cancel this 17 April 2010: European In April, we event. We look forward to our Commission contributes were able to next debate in the Parliament, nearly EUR 2m to the 4 welcome scheduled for 22 June this year. Joint Programming MEPs Nikolaos Initiative Chountis and The Alzheimer Europe Board Liz Lynne as met up in April and was happy 26 April 2010: Issue 5 of two new with the direction in which the the Dementia in European 2 members of organisation is going and magazine launched the European Alzheimer’s satisfied with the accounts. Alliance. I am delighted to see 28 April 2010: US Panel This month we report on our that our campaign to make finds insufficient evidence members’ work in Germany, dementia a European priority for preventive measures 11 Greece, Ireland, Portugal, continues to receive the support against Alzheimer’s Scotland and the UK. Both of Members of the European disease Ireland and Scotland have Parliament regardless of produced reports regarding nationality and political carers of dementia, highlighting affiliation. different ways in which they Our political priority to see need support. greater collaboration between As the elections in the UK get European countries on underway, I am pleased that the dementia research also Alzheimer’s Society (UK) received a significant boost this reports that each of the main month, as the European political parties in the UK has Commission has adopted a highlighted dementia research contribution of nearly EUR 2 and care and support as issues million to support the work of which need to be addressed in the Joint Programming Initiative any future government. (JPI) on Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegenerative In this newsletter, we also diseases. This funding will help report on the increasing number to ensure that this important of clinical trials being conducted initiative, which already has the to identify new drugs for the commitment of 24 European treatment of Alzheimer’s countries, will succeed. disease, whilst a report from the National Institute of Health in The Chair of the Management the United States makes for Board of the pilot JPI, Professor Table of contents sombre reading as to possible Philippe Amouyel, has given an Editorial....................................... 1 preventive approaches to in depth interview about the reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s European Alzheimer’s Alliance ......... 2 Initiative in issue 5 of the disease. Dementia in Europe magazine, Alzheimer Europe .......................... 2 which we launched in April. This Finally, I am happy to report Alzheimer Europe Networking .......... 3 issue of the magazine also that registrations for our th European developments.................. 4 carries news on dementia from forthcoming 20 Alzheimer various European countries Europe Conference are now Policy Watch................................. 5 (including Malta, Cyprus, well underway and would take Members’ News............................. 5 Portugal, Finland, Spain and this opportunity to remind you of Greece) as well as updates on the early bird registration which Science Watch .............................. 8 Alzheimer Europe’s work. The is available until the end of Dementia in Society ..................... 11 magazine can of course be July. bought in the e-shop of the New resources and publications ..... 11 Alzheimer Europe website. Jean Georges AE Calendar ............................... 13 We had hoped to host our 8th Executive Director Future Conferences...................... 13 lunch debate in the European Parliament but unfortunately Page 1 of 13 Newsletter: April 2010 European Luxembourg: Lulling Astrid (EPP) Alzheimer’s Alliance Netherlands: In April, Nikoloas Countis (Greece) and Liz Lynne De Lange Esther (EPP), van Nistelrooij Lambert (UK) joined the European Alzheimer’s Alliance, which (EPP), Wortmann-Kool Corien (EPP) brings the total number of MEPs in the Alliance to 45, representing 16 Member States of the European Portugal: Union and six of the seven political groups in the Coelho Carlos (EPP) European Parliament. Slovakia: Mikolasik Miroslav (EPP), Zaborska Anna (EPP) United Kingdom: Hall Fiona (ALDE), Lynne Liz (ALDE), McAvan Linda (S&D), Moraes Claude (S&D), Simpson Brian (S&D), Watson Graham (ALDE), Willmott Glenis (S&D) Nikolaos Chountis Liz Lynne Greece, GUE-NGL United Kingdom, ALDE Alzheimer Europe The members of the European Alzheimer’s Alliance 26 April 2010: Alzheimer Europe are the following: publishes issue 5 of the Dementia in Europe magazine Belgium: Issue 5 of the Dementia in Europe Brepoels Frieda (Greens/EFA), Ries Frédérique magazine has been published by (ALDE), Staes Bart (Greens/EFA), Sterckx Dirk Alzheimer Europe. As well as the (ALDE) regular features, highlights of this issue include: Cyprus: • Interviews with the Executive of the Triantaphyllides Kyriacos (GUE-NGL) European Alzheimer’s Alliance (MEPs Czech Republic: Françoise Grossetête, Frieda Brepoels, Dagmar Roth-Behrendt and Brian Crowley) Cabrnoch Milan (ECR), Kohlicek Jaromir (GUE/NGL), Roithova Zuzana (EPP) • Updates on two of the Alzheimer Europe’s current projects that Alzheimer Europe is Denmark: involved in (European Ethics Network and PharmaCog) Schaldemose Christel (S&D) • A review of the 2009 Dementia in Europe Finland: Yearbook on healthcare decision making in Jaakonsaari Liisa (S&D), Jäätteenmäki Anneli Europe for people with dementia (ALDE), Pietikäinen Sirpa (EPP) • Updates on the development of national France: plans in Malta, Cyprus and Portugal Audy Jean-Pierre (EPP), De Veyrac Christine (EPP), • MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen talks about the Griesbeck Nathalie (ALDE), Grossetête Françoise challenges faced by people with dementia (EPP), Morin-Chartier Elisabeth (EPP) in Finland Germany: • An in-depth interview with the Chair of the Management Board of the Joint Niebler Angelika (EPP), Roth-Behrendt Dagmar Programming Initiative of (S&D), Ulmer Thomas (EPP), Weisgerber Anja (EPP) Neurodegenerative diseases, Prof. Philippe Amouyel Greece: • A carer’s perspective of living with Chountis Nikolaos (GUE-NGL), Koppa Maria Eleni dementia in Spain (S&D), Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou Rodi (EPP) • The work of the Greek Association of Ireland: Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders Aylward Liam (ALDE), Childers Nessa (S&D); which celebrates its 15th anniversary. Crowley Brian (ALDE), McGuiness Mairead (EPP), The magazine costs EUR 2.50 (plus EUR 2.50 p&p) Mitchell Gay (EPP) and can be purchased from Alzheimer Europe’s Italy: publications section of the website. Panzeri Pier Antonio (S&D), Toia Patrizia (S&D) Page 2 of 13 Newsletter: April 2010 26 April 2010: Alzheimer Europe Board • European developments, including the Meeting takes place in Brussels forthcoming Belgian Presidency Conference, the Joint Programming The Alzheimer Europe Board met in Brussels, Initiative and Public Health Programme. Belgium. • The forthcoming 20th Alzheimer Europe Discussions included: conference in Luxembourg (September) and the Dementia Ethics Network project. • The 2009 financial accounts which were approved with an operating surplus of The next Board meeting will take place in Brussels nearly EUR 16,000. on 21 June 2010. • The 2010 projected financial accounts. Alzheimer Europe Networking On 2 April (Luxembourg, Luxembourg) Julie met Jean-Paul Reuland from Binsfeld Publishers to discuss the Dementia in Europe magazine. On 7 April (Luxembourg, Luxembourg) Gwladys met Sylvie Meyer for the Luxembourg Conference. On 12 April (Brussels, Belgium) Annette met Antoniya Parvanova, MEP, to discuss the European Alzheimer’s Alliance. On 19 April (Luxembourg, Luxembourg) Gwladys attended the Luxcongres meeting. On 26 April (Brussels, Belgium) the AE staff attended the AE Board meeting. On 27 April (Brussels, Belgium) Annette attended the EFPIA Think Tank meeting. On 27 April (Brussels, Belgium) Annette attended the Employment and Social Affairs Committee meeting when Commissioner Andor presented its 2010 Work Programme. On 27 and 28 April (Antwerp, Belgium) Dianne attended a joint workshop organised by the EFGCP-EUCROF on the Ethical Challenges in Clinical Research at Both Ends of Life. On 28 April (Brussels, Belgium) Annette attended the launch of the Mental Health interest group in the European Parliament. On 28 April (Brussels, Belgium) Annette attended the Industry Committee meeting when Commissioner Geoghan- Quinn presented the 2010 Research Work Programme. On 28 April (Brussels, Belgium) Annette attended the Internal Market Committee meeting when Commissioner Dalli presented the 2010 Consumer Work Programme. Buy the latest edition of the Dementia in Europe Magazine online at: www.alzheimer-europe.org/Publications/E-shop Highlights of this issue include interviews with the Executive members of the European Alzheimer's Alliance, a review of the 2009 Dementia in Europe Yearbook on healthcare decision making in Europe for people with dementia, updates on the development of national plans in Malta, Cyprus and Portugal, challenges faced by people with dementia in Finland, a carer's account of living with dementia in Spain, a reflection of the work of the Greek Association of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders as well as an indepth interview with Professor Philippe Amouyel, the Chair of the Management Board of the Joint Programming Inititative of Neurodegenerative diseases. €2.50 plus €2.50 handling and postage costs Page 3 of 13 Newsletter: April 2010