In 2008 parent representatives from 18 countries came together to lay the foundation of for our work today. They composed the “Declaration of Rome”, ten demands for preterm infants and their families, which was later handed over to politicians of the European Parliament. Ever since EFCNI has held annual meetings for representatives of parent organisations to share ideas, exchange experiences, and receive training and education with the common goal to improve the situation of maternal and newborn health and in particular of preterm birth around the world. What started off as a small meeting has meanwhile become a summit with parent organisations, experts and partners from all over the world. At the Parent Organisation Summit (POS) the Parent Advisory Board comes together to discuss the milestones of the upcoming year.
This year we welcomed 35 parent organisations from Europe and beyond at the summit. The three-day long conference felt more like a big family meeting than anything else. All participants – from first-time attendees to those who had been in Rome in 2008 – talked openly, shared their lessons learned as well as their best practices and to truly supported each other. International experts on the fields of premature health, follow-up and neonatology were also on site to inform the parent organisations about the latest developments. EFCNI provided workshops that covered among other things the art of negotiation with industry partners, the pitfalls of social media, and the composition of a policy brief.
Read more at EFCNI