In the November issue, we would like to share our experience after the EULAR National Scientific Societies Workshop, which took place on 14-15 October 2024 in Budapest. I had the great privilege to participate in this meeting as the EMENUNET delegate.
The meeting aimed to promote cooperation between national rheumatology societies and EULAR. It was attended by 61 representatives from 32 different countries across Europe. Participants included National Society representatives, CEOs and presidents. Owing to the courtesy of the EULAR board, a delegation of young rheumatologists from EMEUNET was also invited to participate in the event. We highly appreciated this possibility and considered it as an honour. EMENUET delegates for this workshop were: Ertugrul Bolek (Turkey), Tania Gudu (Romania/UK), Cristiana Sieiro Santos (Portugal/Spain), Bohdana Doskaliuk (Ukraine), Daliya Pencheva (Bulgaria), Claudia Cobilinschi (Romania), Victoria Sadovici-Bobeica (Moldova), Marc Scherlinger (France), Alexandros Panagiotopoulos (Greece) and Aleksandra Opinc-Rosiak (Poland).
The event was organised in a form of highly interactive meeting, during which we discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between national societies and EULAR. Workshops were divided into several sessions such as Education & Scientific Events, Research & Funding, Advocacy & QoC, Governance & Participation, and Role of National Societies. During each session, we familiarised ourselves with the possibilities offered by EULAR, and we had a chance to listen to the real-life experiences of people who participated in various EULAR initiatives. Then, we brainstormed ideas in small groups, followed by a discussion with all the participants. Getting to know how rheumatology care is organised in different countries was a very valuable and mind-opening experience. It was surprising to me how available diagnostic and treatment options may differ between countries. We tried to engage actively during the event and hope that the voice of young rheumatologists was loudly heard.
I am proud to let you know that during the Education & Scientific Events, Ertugrul Bolek – the Chair of the Country Liaison Subcommittee, gave an excellent talk on the EMEUNET initiatives and the CL network. It provided the national communities with insight into our activities and highlighted how national societies can benefit from interaction with their Country Liaisons. As EMEUNET, we received positive feedback from many attendees, including members of different EULAR committees.
This Meeting was also a great opportunity for us to meet, interact and strengthen connections as EMEUNET family. We had a great time together and were enchanted by the beautiful city of Budapest, with its historical architecture and the majestic Danube. I hope to come back there someday 😊
Aleksandra Opinc-Rosiak on behalf of the Newsletter Sub-committe
… with kind inputs from Ertrugrul Bolek, Chair of the Country Liaison Subcommittee