European League Against Rheumatism EULAR
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is the organisation which represents the patient, health professional and scientific societies of rheumatology of all the European nations. EULAR endeavors to stimulate, promote, and support the research, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of rheumatic diseases. In line with UEMS, EULAR defines rheumatology as including rheumatic diseases of the connective tissue, locomotor and musculoskeletal systems.
EULAR is set up of four types of institutional members: scientific societies, social leagues, health professionals associations and corporate members. In addition, EULAR acknowledges a number of individuals as honorary members.
With 44 scientific member societies, 31 national social leagues and 4 allied health professionals associations, EULAR underscores the importance of combating rheumatic diseases not only by medical means, but also through a wider context of care for rheumatic patients and a thorough understanding of their social and other needs. 31 corporate members support EULAR financially with their membership fees.
From the outset, membership of EULAR was national medical and scientific rheumatological organisations, not individuals. In 1973, a major advance was the inclusion of the social leagues in the organisation of EULAR. In 2006, the first two national organisations of allied health professionals in rheumatology have requested membership of EULAR and been accepted as members.
Only one organisation from any one country is accepted as its representative.
The aims of EULAR are to reduce the burden of rheumatic diseases on the individual and society and to improve the treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal diseases. To this end, EULAR fosters excellence in education and research in the field of rheumatology. It promotes the translation of research advances into daily care and fights for the recognition of the needs of people with rheumatic diseases.
Specifically, EULAR supports research projects in rheumatology by funding collaborative research between European rheumatology groups and more recently also across the Atlantic. Education and training is another key area of commitment for EULAR. The annual congress of rheumatology is the highlight event in the EULAR calendar each year.
At the European political level, EULAR represents the interests of the entire rheumatic disease community and is the natural partner of European policy makers when policies and regulatory frameworks are developed. Collaboration with international organisations as well as the American College of Rheumatology and the regional leagues of rheumatology associations is a continued and expanding effort of EULAR.
Education and training related to rheumatic diseases are one of the key strategic areas of EULAR. To this end, EULAR makes available an extensive program of courses and training workshops for trainee and specialized rheumatologists. Many of these courses are offered annually, others on a bi-annual schedule.
In addition, EULAR provides educational grants to rheumatologists, health professionals as well as patients who wish to improve skills and knowledge through training or educational visits. To alleviate the financial burden of attending the EULAR congress, courses and meetings for participants from all around Europe, EULAR offers a substantial number of travel bursaries each year.
In view of its broad educational programme and activity, EULAR is represented on the UEMS Section of Rheumatology.
2009
EULAR Annual Congress, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 10 - 13 2009
2010
EULAR Annual Congress, Rome, Italy, June 16 - 19 2010
2011
EULAR Annual Congress, London, UK, May 25 - 28 2011
2012
EULAR Annual Congress, Berlin, Germany, June 6 - 9 2012