Conference objectives


1) To launch the 10 year European strategic public health plan for autism: 'European Autism Action 2020' (EAA2020).

An extensive consultation process with stakeholders from across Europe is taking place during 2010. The comprehensive and inclusive public health plan EAA2020 will emerge from this process and be presented at the European Autism Action Conference on 29th November 2010.

The consultation process began with a Panel of Experts Meeting held in Luxembourg in March 2010, at which experts working in the field of ASD from countries across Europe were asked what they considered to be strengths and specific needs in terms of autism research, services, policy, advocacy and awareness, monitoring and surveillance both within their own countries and in Europe. Report from the Panel of Experts Meeting.

An online consultation process has been designed which aims to ensure that this plan has the input of as many stakeholders across Europe as possible.

As part of the consultation process, two sub-regional meetings for East and West Europe were held in September.

 

2) To establish a Scientific Committee of Experts for consultation and guidance in the finalisation, implementation and follow-up of the EAA 2020 strategic plan.

The EAA2020 Science Committee will comprise eminent scientists and experts in ASD from all five focus areas; research, services, policy, advocacy and awareness, monitoring and surveillance, who will commit to work towards implementation of the strategic public health plan across Europe by the year 2020. A Science Committee has been convened for the Conference, which will begin this process.

 

3) To progress the establishment of the European Autism Public Health Alliance (eapha) and consolidate and expand its role as a regional forum to share, coordinate and disseminate knowledge and information on ASD across the EU and to act as a vehicle for EAA 2020.

eapha aims to transform the lives of persons with autism, their families and carers by providing a plan of action and an ongoing forum for parents' organisations, academic institutions and public health agencies to share knowledge, experience and skills and to promote advocacy for the
needs of people with autism.

 

 

Autism2010 Conference Report
Executive Summary (Draft)

The full version of the report will be circulated before the end of the year to all those who participated in the sub-regional meetings for their comments before submitting to the Commission in the new year.

The organisers of the European Autism Action Conference would like to thank most sincerely all those who have collaborated throughout the year in this process.

Season's greetings to all and a very happy new year.