"Equal Rights for Citizens with IBD*" was the main message of the conference organized by the European Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA) in collaboration with the Public Affairs Committee of the United European Gastroenterology (UEG-PAC), which took place at the European Parliament on 17 October 2013. The conference attracted significant participation, with more than 70 delegates, including EU officials, representatives of EFCCA (the pan-European association for IBD), national associations from European Union member states, and representatives of other European networks dealing with patient issues (such as the European Patients' Forum, AGORA, etc.). Cyprus was represented by the President of the Cyprus Crohn’s and Colitis Association, Mr. Yiangos Yiangou.
The host of the event, MEP Mr. Cofferati, as well as the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mr. Miguel Angel Martinez, MEP Ms. Panayotova, together with a significant number of other Members of the European Parliament, demonstrated their strong support for the better integration of the rights of people living with IBD. The conference organizers expressed their solidarity and commitment to ensuring equal access for patients to healthcare services, treatment options, education, and the labour market.
The conference was divided into three discussion panels. The first panel focused on employment and labour market challenges faced by people with IBD. Mr. Álvaro Oliveira introduced the topic with a highly engaging presentation, while Ms. Auslaug Eva Bjornsdottir, a member of the EFCCA Youth Group, and Mr. Chayim Bell, a member of the EFCCA Board, shared their personal experiences regarding access to employment for people living with chronic diseases.
The second discussion panel focused on healthcare issues affecting people with IBD. During the discussion, Professor Dr. Simon Travis, President of ECCO, Mr. Marco Greco, President of EFCCA, and Professor Stockbrügger of UEG-PAC discussed current IBD-related issues and presented their vision for the future.
The third discussion panel addressed youth and education-related challenges. Ms. Mary Kyriazopoulou from the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education (EADSNE) delivered an inspiring presentation on the work of EADSNE, which develops programmes for students with special educational needs. Professor Maurizio Vecchi from the University of Milan highlighted the increasing prevalence of IBD among young people, while Ms. Marian O'Connor from N-ECCO presented the educational challenges faced by young people living with IBD. Mr. Daniel Sundstein from the EFCCA Youth Group shared his personal experience regarding the difficulties young people with IBD encounter in education.
The event, held at the heart of the European institutions, was the final part of EFCCA’s activities for people with IBD and marked the culmination of the 2013 awareness campaign organised on the occasion of World IBD Day. The activities aimed to raise awareness about IBD, particularly within EU institutions and among European Union policymakers.
EFCCA’s efforts sought to ensure that the concerns of people living with IBD are taken into account in all European Union policies. The Committee will continue its efforts in the coming year to work with EU policymakers to improve legislation and enhance the quality of life of people living with IBD.
*IBD: Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The term IBD includes two diseases: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.
