From Left: Peter Dahlqvist, Seppo Sarkkula, Jacqueline Beaussart-Defaye, Andreas Habberstad, Thanos Covanis

Peter Dahlqvist, Chair of the European Regional Executive Committee and Chair of the Organising Comittee for the 11th European Conference on Epilepsy & Society 208, bring us up to date.

The Organising Committee held a planning meeting in Marseille the 29th March. The Conference will take place from the 15th to the 17th October 208. The theme for the conference is Active Life and Epilepsy.

During the meeting the Organising Committee finalised details of the programme, together with the plans for the Opening Ceremony and the Social Evening. The IBE European Regional Executive Committee had a very busy and successful meeting together with Jacqueline Beaussart-Defaye, President of AISPACE, the French IBE member as well as the local host organisation.

The first Announcement has already been sent out and the website is live. We have tried to put together a very interesting programme with excellent speakers. Already we can announce the names of most of the speakers, with just a few topics and speakers remaining to be finalised. These will be announced shortly. Please visit the website for more information on the programme. The website will be updated regularly as arrangements are put in place.

In Copenhagen 2006 we received requests to include activities to attract young persons with epilepsy to the next conference. There were also requests for translation or interpreters. So we are happy to inform you that we will have a special youth workshop on the important issue of How to Increase Youth Involvement in European Epilepsy Associations.

There will be a special Youth Karaoke Evening (I am sure adults can participate as well – if they dare) arranged by EPIC Youth Organisation. In addition there are travel bursaries aimed specifically at young persons aged betwen 18 and 30 years. There are also travel bursaries for persons over 30 years of age.

Furthermore, we have planned Francophone workshops, parallel to the workshops in English; an opportunity to see the Finnish film “The Year of the Wolf” – subtitled in English; posters from IBE members with interesting news and presentations of national activities; exhibition areas; and much, much more. The city of Marseille on the Mediterranean coast also has many interesting and scenic places to visit pre- or post-congress.

Grab this opportunity to join us in Marseille in October. Meet old friends, make new friends, learn from interesting speakers and important presentations, share your experiences and information with others. Register now and book your travel today!

Welcome and bienvenue!

Peter Dahlqvist
Chair
IBE European Regional Executive Committee

Click here to find out more about the conference.
Click here to visit the congress website.