Active Citizenship Network grows in Eastern Europe
Active Citizenship Network is pleased to announce its new partnerships with two organizations located in Eastern Europe. In fact the Foundation for Philanthropy Support and Development (CAF) and the Albanian Association "Together for Life" have expressed interest in joining the network.
Furthermore, ACN has also joined the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum (CSF) to contribute to the cooperation among Russian and European organisations as well as to share its experience and ideas with the CSF network. Read more...

Internship open for our office in Brussels
In the framework of “Active for Young Professionals” programme, Active Citizenship Network is looking for a trainee to contribute to the development of its activities in the European framework. The opportunity is available for students or graduates with a major in Politics, International Affairs, International economics or Communication.
The selected candidate will be part of the Active Citizenship Network team in Brussels. For further information, click here

ACN is pleased to welcome Eleonora Evi as new MEP Supporter
Active Citizenship Network is glad to welcome MEP Eleonora Evi as a new supporter of the MEP Interest Group “European Patients' Rights & Cross-Border Healthcare”. She is an Italian member of the EFDD group and member of several Committees as the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Petitions (PETI). To read the updated list of the MEPs supporters, please click here.

Users of thermal centres’ protection: agreement between ACN and EAPCT
Active Citizenship Network and the new European Association of Patients and users of Thermal Centres have recently joined in an agreement aimed at establishing an effective cooperation in the protection of EU citizens willing to benefit from health SPAs treatments, in order to strengthen cooperation in this field. The main aims of the agreement are:

• To inform about, disseminate, and support hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy in Europe in order to disclose to the public opinion the healing properties of thermal and sea water.
• To promote the rights of European citizens using hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy to ensure their ability to benefit from the right to health.
• To inform wellbeing operators about hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy activities to encourage their focus on citizen expectations and needs;
• To stimulate a European benchmark through the sharing of experiences and the promotion of the existing good practices to valorize the sector and a millennia-old healing experience;
• To analyze and monitor the scenarios, the challenges, and the opportunities for hydrotherapy offered by Directive 2011/24/EU on cross-border treatments.

To know more, visit the website of EAPCT

The burden of incontinence compared to other chronic diseases
The 2016 Edition of the Global Forum on Incontinence focused on addressing the need to support and improve the day-to-day management of incontinence at home and in the community in the context of today’s ageing societies, de-institutionalization, a shift from formal to informal care and the increased burden of chronic diseases – enabling people with incontinence and their carers to live active, independent and dignified lives at home and in the community. To know more the outcomes of the meeting, please click here.

World Brain Day: new awareness campaign promoted by EFNA
In occasion of the World Brain Day, last July 22th, the European Federation of Neurological Associations launched “Together Under the Umbrella” awareness campaign. The campaign aims to increase in public, political and scientific support for all brain and brain-related disorders, resulting in reduced stigma. To know more about the initiative, please visit the website.

Turkish crisis: the Italian civil society calls for protection of democracy
After the tragic events recently occurred in Turkey, the Italian civic organizations have launched appeals to the national and European institutions to safeguard democracy and the constitutional state in Turkey.
Legambiente, Arci and Libera, with the support of Active Citizenship and other Italian associations, have launched an online petition and sent an open letter addressed to the EU Representative of Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, asking her to give voice to the indignation and concern of those who see the democratic Turkey jeopardized.
On the other hand, the European Movement in Italy appeals to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni to express its full solidarity with the judges, lawyers, journalists and civic organizations in Turkey. The European Movement also declared himself ready to use any social media to support their struggle for human dignity, respect for the constitutional state, freedom, equality and collective rights of minorities, which are basic milestones of any true democracy. To read the statement of the European Movement, click here (IT-EN languages).

Consultation on the draft guidelines for meaningful civil participation in political decision-making
The European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) in cooperation with the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations is preparing new guidelines to ensure meaningful civil participation in political decision-making. The guidelines will be addressed to the authorities in Council of Europe member states and will seek to promote sustainable mechanisms for dialogue, consultation and co-operation between them and civil society. The deadline is 4 September! To know more and download the draft guidelines, click here.

August 29-31 - Brussels (Belgium): ECIT Summer University on European Citizenship
From 29 to 31 August students, academics, policy makers and civil society representatives from all over Europe will meet in Brussels to exchange views on the gaps and future challenges of European citizenship. Read more

September 21- Brussels (Belgium): ‘Health in all policies: A far-fetched dream?’
The Conference, organized by The European Policy Centre (EPC), will explore how, and to what extent, health considerations are incorporated across policies at the EU level. The event will start with a panel discussion, and the participants will then break out into parallel expert workshops. Read more

September 21-23 – Dubrovnik (Croatia): EFIC Topical Symposium 2016
2016 is the European and Global Year against Joint Pain, and the European Pain Federation EFIC is proud to announce its First Topical Seminar, on the theme of Acute and Chronic Joint Pain. Read more