EFA

Greetings from the EFA Annual General Meeting and Conference in Prague! The 10th EFA Conference 10-13 May had a record participation of over 500 delegates, with patient representatives and health professionals from 23 countries. As a novelty, the Public Forum, organised in collaboration with the GA²LEN Global Allergy and Asthma European Network for local patients, attracted more than 200 participants who had the opportunity to talk informally to experts any of their concerns related to allergy, asthma and COPD. The spirometry and information tent was visited by over 2000 members of the public. During EFA members' EFA Day, new EFA members introduced their organisations and others presented their successful campaigns and initiatives and discussed challenges. At the AGM, EFA Annual Report 2005 and strategic priorities for 2006 were approved. I am also happy to introduce and welcome two new EFA board members; Amelia Curwen from the Asthma UK and Nikoleta Grigorova from the Bulgarian Association for Bronchial Asthma. Marianella Salapatas from the Greek ANIKSI, former EFA board secretary was elected as vice-president. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank sincerely Donna Covey from Asthma UK for her time and expertise during her three years in office, who stepped down from the board due to other commitments. Last but not least, hearty welcome to our new members; Asthme&Allergies from France, Pulmonary Association Heli from Finland, The Netherlands Federation of Asthma and COPD Organisations, Polish Coalition of Allergy, Asthma and COPD Patient Organisations and Swedish Heart and Lung Association. Thank you for all of you, who took part, supported and helped to organise these events and see you in 2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Svein Erik Myrseth, EFA President