EULAR Young PARE: The voice of young people with rheumatic diseases across Europe
Young PARE is the youth group within EULAR’s PARE (People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe) network. It brings together young people aged between 18 and 40 who are living with a rheumatic or musculoskeletal disease. The group aims to support and empower young people across Europe by working together to raise awareness, promote youth-led advocacy, and contribute to research and education on topics relevant to the RMD community.
The group consists of approximately ten active working group members from different countries. Each member serves a four-year term, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to the group’s work and continuity over time.
What does being a member of Young PARE mean?
What we do
Young PARE meets monthly throughout the year (with a summer break in July and August) to exchange ideas, report on ongoing activities, and develop new initiatives. Group members work closely together and collaborate with other EULAR networks, including EMEUNET and the Health Professionals in Rheumatology (HPR) community.
Current areas of activity include:
Young PARE participates in the PARE Community Relations Sub-committee, fostering collaboration and strengthening connections within the RMD patient community.
Young PARE contributes to the creation and submission of content for the PARE e-Breakthrough Newsletter, helping to highlight youth perspectives and patient experiences within the rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) community.
Young PARE takes part in podcasts and webinars with other EULAR communities, sharing the patient perspective on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) to raise awareness and promote patient-centered care. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Young PARE actively participates in the annual PARE Conference in Brussels, which includes a dedicated pre-conference training designed specifically for Young PARE members to build skills, strengthen connections, and prepare for meaningful engagement during the event.
Young PARE contributes to EULAR-led and EU-funded research project, including:
- The EULAR RheumaFacts initiative
- The Impact of RMD Survey
- The EULAR ENTRI initiative
- The Fatigue Project
- The Move Up Project
- The MDR-RA Consortium
Young PARE contributes to the annual EULAR Congress by co-authoring abstracts and scientific papers, and by supporting the preparation and execution of congress-related activities, both in the lead-up to the event and on-site.
Meet the team
Mariana Carvalho, Portugal
Young PARE Working Group Leader
Caroline Kirsten, Germany
Young PARE Working Group Leader-Elect
Representation and impact
Being a member of Young PARE means more than contributing to the work of one group — it means being part of a European youth network that ensures the voices of young people with RMDs are heard in spaces where decisions are made.
Young PARE members actively represent youth perspectives across a wide range of European initiatives and research projects. This includes voluntary contributions to international research studies, participation in EU-funded projects, and involvement in key EULAR communities and task forces.
One Young PARE member also serves as the group’s liaison within the PARE Community Relations Sub-committee, where they report on current activities and advocate for the needs and interests of young people. Through this role and others, Young PARE contributes to shaping inclusive, youth-aware strategies in the RMD field.
This active representation not only helps bring forward the lived experiences of young people affected by RMDs — it also ensures they play a meaningful role in designing future solutions.