Congress report - European Health Forum Gastein

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European Health Forum Gastein 2001
The Virtual Forum would be developed in connection with the Commission’s initiative on
“Interactive Policy Making” and should include links to relevant Internet sites, such as the
websites of the European Commission, national governments, members and participants of
the Health Forum, and other relevant bodies and organisations. It could thus become an
Internet portal for health issues at European level.
It should be accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
There was also a plea, however, that certain key documents and materials should also be
circulated in printed form.
As an integral part of its commitment to openness and transparency, the Commission intends
to develop the Virtual Forum as a focal point for health-related information at Community
level and as the main source of documentation and information about the activities of the
Health Forum. It should be an interactive mechanism which will enable members of the
public to make an input into the work of the Health Forum and into the policy-making
process more generally. The Commission is currently seeking the necessary expertise and
resources to launch the Virtual Forum during the course of this year and to sustain its
operation in the long term.
The Virtual Forum will not be the only communication tool used by the Commission in this
area. Key information will also be made available through other routes, and as printed
documents.
4. Composition of and Participation in the European Health Forum
Many respondents commented on the profile of participating organisations for the Open
Forum and the Health Policy Forum. Since all stakeholders and organisations interested in
European public health issues should have the possibility of attending the Open Forum there
was consensus that participation by invitation only should not be considered. Efforts should
be made, however, to ensure that it remains a credible and workable structure in spite of its
size. There was also some concern that even in the Open Forum, efforts should be made to
ensure that representation among key groups of stakeholders is balanced.
On the other hand, according to a large number of respondents, the Health Policy Forum
should be organised by invitation only. A number of contributors supported an approach
which foresees a ‘core’ of general organisations, while a number of ‘expert organisations’
would be invited to take part for the discussion of specific topics in which they hold
particular expertise or interest.
Respondents generally support limiting participation in the Health Policy Forum to
representatives of European (umbrella) organisations. While the political and practical need
to work with true EU-wide bodies is widely understood, there is, however, a feeling that this
approach should not be applied too rigidly when it prevents the involvement of leading
experts not affiliated to a particular body.
Moreover, respondents pointed to the lack of recognised European-level umbrella
organisations in some areas. There are, for example, few non-disease specific European
patients’ organisations. One should also beware of overlap in membership (e.g. the members
of an organisation representing medical specialists would also be represented by the body
bringing together the medical associations within the EU.
There was also a wish to involve local and regional authorities, since they have important
responsibilities in the health sector in a number of Member States.
International Forum Gastein, Tauernplatz 1, A-5630 Bad Hofgastein
Tel.: +43 (6432) 7110-70, Fax: Ext. 71, e-mail: info@ehfg.org, website: www.ehfg.org