Within an international Conference on Pulmonary Advances (Stresa, Lake Maggiore, 22-25 March 2006), the Italian COPD Patients Association AIP-BPCO will hold a symposium on “The COPD Patient: a partner to listen to” (4-6 pm March 22). About 100 Italian COPD patients and relatives will attend the symposium, the aim of which is to compare the expectation of patients with the real possibilities of medical treatment and care. For more information, see: www.pazientibpco.it and www.makevent.it