| Title: | The European Public Health Symposium: Reducing Alcohol Related Harm Through Partnership |
| Date: | Wednesday 3rd December 2008 |
| Time: | 10:00am – 4:10pm |
| Venue: | One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London |
“It is my firm belief that in order to make any real change in the fight against alcohol-related harm, the efforts must be high not only on the public health agenda, but also on the agenda of all stakeholders, including schools, employers, NGOs, alcoholic drinks producers, distributors, the advertising and media industries, local/national authorities, Member States and the European Union.”
— Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health, June 2007
Although recent statistics indicate that total alcohol consumption in Europe is falling, European citizens are still the highest consumers of alcohol in the world. Furthermore, worrying trends are emerging in relation to binge-drinking, under-age drinking and drink-driving, with the EU’s own statistics on the economic and social cost of alcohol related harm making sobering reading:
In 2006, following a comprehensive consultation process, the European Commission outlined five priority areas which would underpin its Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for Europe:
Last year, the Commission established The Alcohol and Health Forum as part of a wider twin-track strategy of complementing national, regional and local public health policy development with an alcohol stakeholder partnership approach at the EU level.
This special European Public Health Symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, offers a timely opportunity for public health practitioners, police/enforcement services and local authorities across Europe to gain a valuable update on the EU’s Alcohol Strategy for Europe. Participants will consider the key questions: How can partnership-working be accelerated? How can the current strategy be strengthened to make a positive impact on public health across Europe? Can self-regulation by the alcohol industry work or is legislation needed? Delegates will have the opportunity to debate, share good practice and network with colleagues from across Europe within the public health, local authority, government and alcohol stakeholder landscape.
| 09:00 | Registration & Morning Refreshments |
| 10:00 |
Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| 10:15 |
Keynote Address Towards an Effective Alcohol Strategy for Europe
|
| 11:00 | Morning Coffee Break |
| 11:20 |
Panel Session One: Reducing Alcohol Related Harm through Partnership
|
| 12:40 | Networking Lunch |
| 13:40 |
Panel Session Two: Protecting Future Generations —–Alcohol Awareness and Young People
|
| 14:55 | Afternoon Coffee Break |
| 15:15 |
Regional Case Study: Positive Action to Change Lives
|
| 16:00 | Chair’s Summary and Closing Comments |
| 16:10 | Networking Reception |