Early June, EFA virtually kicked-off the first edition of the European Allergy and Asthma (EA2) Youth Parliament. Uniting young allergy and asthma patients and medical students from all over Europe, the initiative aims at bringing the youth perspective into EU policymaking, affecting allergy and asthma health.
The Youth Parliament is closely linked to the European Parliament Interest Group on Allergy and Asthma whose Secretariat is co-ran by EFA and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI).
EFA President encourages young patients
Welcoming the EA2 Youth Parliament members, EFA President Mikaela Odemyr encouraged the young participants to put together their various personal and educational backgrounds for this initiative. “I encourage you to no stick to the rules and to think outside the box in this group”, she said.
She also advised young patients and medical students to not limit themselves when they can #ShowLeadership and be able to shoot for the stars. “Be creative, be innovative and show policymakers how they can support you and millions of other young allergy and asthma patients best”, Mikaela Odemyr said.
Kick-off meeting presents EA2 YP members and activities
The online launch meeting was attended by six young allergy and asthma patients and two medical advisors between 17 and 26 years old and coming from Albania, Italy, Germany, Norway, Greece, Spain and Sweden.
After a short overview on the initiative and EFA’s work, the new members introduced themselves, their motivation and got to know each other. During the meeting, participants also had the chance to discuss their preferred way of collaboration in this first edition of the EA2 Youth Parliament.
Recommendations from young patients to be presented in the European Parliament
In July, the Youth Parliament will convene two more times before the group starts developing recommendations to improve allergy and asthma health in Europe.
Backed by the European allergy and asthma patients’ community and in collaboration with the European Parliament Interest Group on Allergy and Asthma, the resulting recommendations issues genuinely from the youth, will be presented in the European Parliament by mid-November.
Applications to the Youth Parliament still open
While the group has already kicked-off its work, interested allergy and asthma patients and medical students can still join. For more information on the requirements and application, please visit EFA’s Youth Parliament website.