Promoting the inclusion of epilepsy on healthcare agenda
A key outcome of the European white paper on epilepsy was the formation of the Parliamentary Advocates Group for Epilepsy.
This group of, like-minded, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) provide support for key issues concerning epilepsy within the European Union institutions.
The group is informal and membership is cross party and cross country. The group, chaired by John Bowis MEP, was inaugurated in November 2001.

The formation of the new parliament and additional countries presents an opportunity for more people to become involved in shaping epilepsy policy in Europe.
EUCARE is currently developing a plan of activities to expand the Parliamentary Advocates Group and increase the scope of its influence. Initiatives include:

• developing a dialogue with European parliament and national governments
• liaising with other organisations with a common interest
• putting forward a petition or written declaration on epilepsy
• preparing press releases to raise medical and public interest in the political agenda
  Through the EUCARE forum, governments, Non Governmental Organisations, healthcare professionals and people with epilepsy can work together to bring about necessary changes – thus bringing epilepsy out of the shadows.