AAA Action Day 2006
On 7 March 2006, the third AAA Action Day brought together arthritis patients, health specialists and researchers from all over Europe. Several events took place in parallel that day in Brussels: At a lunch-debate entitled “What place and priorities for European health research?” and held in the European Parliament, MEPs and health research stakeholders emphasised the need for a more visible place of health research on the EU research agenda in order to tackle national research deficiencies.
Hosted by Lithuanian MEP Dr. Jolanta Dickute, the event was attended by the Health Minister of Lithuania, Mr Zilvinas Padaiga, and a large number of representatives of the European Parliament and other EU institutions. In addition, a symbolic arthritis check in the EP buildings was offered to Members and staff of the EU Parliament. On the spot, EU officials had the opportunity to get examined with most modern medical equipment and to receive competent advice from leading scientists and patient activists. Not least, in a whole-day workshop, representatives of EULAR's Social Leagues discussed latest developments in the decision-making process of the 7th Research Framework Programme, the health programme as well as future initiatives in the area of non-discrimination.
