Map of fruitful areas for cooperation
Following the founding meeting of the ECNP Advisory Board of National Societies in October 2002, the members of the Task Force left Barcelona with an assignment. They were asked to provide the next meeting with a proposal for areas of cooperation. First a questionnaire on this issue was sent to all representatives of the national societies. At the second meeting of the Advisory Board, held on September 23 in Prague, the outcome of this questionnaire was discussed.
It was clear that it would be very effective to work together regarding information for newsletters and websites. Both the representatives of the national societies and the representatives of ECNP agreed that several activities could be implemented immediately. For example, in the near future a special page will be created in the newsletter ecnp matters: ‘News from the societies’. On this page societies will have the opportunity to announce their activities. Also links to the national societies have been created and shortly societies will also get the opportunity to include their news on a special webpage. The possibility of creating an e-mail circular is being looked into as well.
Education
Guy Goodwin, representative for the British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP), gave an interesting presentation about the educational activities of this national society. Everybody agreed that education is another fruitful area for cooperation. There are many formats possible. The general idea will be discussed in the Executive Committee of ECNP.
Accreditation
Some representatives mentioned that the societies have trouble promoting their educational activities abroad as members from other European countries can not get accreditation in other countries than their own. It was decided to discuss the dilemma of accreditation at the national and at the European level within the European Brain Council (EBC).