Standing Committee of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe
The Manifesto
The Manifesto of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe (PARE) is a document including ten calls to action. It was developed in 1999 by the EULAR Standing Committee of PARE, then called the EULAR Social Leagues, together with Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARi) and the Organisation of Youth with Rheumatism (IOYR). The "European Manifesto" is a useful lobbying tool and has uniquely been developed by people with arthritis/rheumatism. It has meanwhile been translated into over 20 languages.
With the Manifesto document as its basis, a European-wide network in more than 30 countries was developed to support the Manifesto's activities. As the PARE Manifesto project's aim was to strengthen the involvement of people with arthritis/rheumatism, the network was almost entirely built up by people with personal experience of arthritis/rheumatism and who were involved with representative organisations. To drive the project there was a Steering Group of seven members, all officially elected by the then EULAR Social Leagues. Up to three members could be co-opted to the group in order to support the activities. The PARE Manifesto and its Steering Group was in fact the campaigning arm of the EULAR Social Leagues, now the EULAR Standing Committee of people with arthritis/rheumatism, and represented the patients' voice in Europe, seeking to ensure that the "European Manifesto" was implemented. It was responsible for the implementation of the key aims of the Strategic Plan.
IN FOCUS
Chronology of "PARE Manifesto"
The history of the PARE Manifesto project's steady development starting in 1999.