About E.F.O
The EFO shal.l coordinate all efforts by professional associations of D.O. to gain legal recognition of osteopathy in each EU member country.It will propose draft criteria for professional practice, a professional code of ethics and minimal training standards for all EU countries. It will stimulate consultation among all EU countries in order to promote the creation of a European Academy of Osteopathy, which would be autonomous and independent of the EFO. It will act as spokesperson for European osteopaths D.O. with the Commission of the European Communities and the European Parliament. It will avoid undue interference into national policies concerning the profession.
The European Federation of Osteopaths also wishes to see other osteopathic organizations support their actions and participate in their efforts to be recognized and to have the freedom to practice their art
Definition
International association recognized by Royal Decree of August 14, 1992,
under the Belgian law of 25 October 1919 granting civil personality to
international associations wtih a philanthropic, religious, scientific, artistic, or
teaching aim. (Belgian Ministry of Justice).
History
At the time of the creation of the association in 1992, the founding members
have decided to use in its official name the term "Registre” in English
“Register” following the “Anglo-Saxon” tradition. It was also decided at this
occasion to establish the seat of the association in Brussels in order to be
closer to the European Institutions. In 1999, during a General Assembly, the
Members have decided to adopt the title ”European Federation of
Osteopaths”, a denomination more in phase with the federating activity of
association.
Aims
E.F.O. ’s main objective is to achieve the recognition of the exercise of the
profession in all countries of the European Union by lobbying at the
community level and by assisting its Members in their efforts to legalize the
practice of Osteopathy (transmission of information, comparison of the legal
data, support supra national contacts with governments etc.) E.F.O. prohibits
itself from any interference in the national policies of professional defence,
thus leaving each member association, a complete autonomy.
Registered office
E.F.O. has its registered headquarter in the premises of C.E.P.L.I.S.
(European Council of Liberal Professions).
70 Coudenberg
1000 Bruxelles.
These premises are very convenient since they are located in the heart of the
European institutions.
The International relations of E.F.O.
E.F.O. interacts with the European Institutions, the European Parliament, the
European Commission; E.FO. is an active member of C.E.P.L.I.S., and its
President is member of the C.E.P.L.I.S. executive board. E.F.O. is recognized
in the U.S.A. as an interlocutor European of the American Academy of
Osteopathy (A.A.O.), and the President of E.F.O. participates in the jury of the
responsible for the attribution of annual price. E.F.O. is regularly invited at
special subcommittees meeting in countries where osteopathy is in the
process of recognition and takes part in press conferences and
demonstrations in connection with osteopathy in the whole world. E.F.O. is
also regularly consulted by the World Health Organization.
The E.F.O. and the European Parliament
The President of E.F.O. holds of a card of “Permanent Correspondent”
allowing him constant access in the premises of the European Parliament in
Brussels and Strasbourg, in order to follow sessions relating with Health
issues (Inter-Groups) or to meet Members of Parliament to ask them
questions regarding Osteopathy. Te Inter-Groups of the European Parliament
hold special meetings which allow to Parliamentarians of all groups to listen to
interventions by professionals of Health. E.F.O. has already intervened
several times in conferences on Osteopathy pleading for the necessity of its
recognition in Europe.
E.F.O. interacts with the European Institutions, the European Parliament, the
European Commission; E.FO. is an active member of C.E.P.L.I.S., and its
President is member of the C.E.P.L.I.S. executive board. E.F.O. is recognized
in the U.S.A. as an interlocutor European of the American Academy of
Osteopathy (A.A.O.), and the President of E.F.O. participates in the jury of the
responsible for the attribution of annual price. E.F.O. is regularly invited at
special subcommittees meeting in countries where osteopathy is in the
process of recognition and takes part in press conferences and
demonstrations in connection with osteopathy in the whole world. E.F.O. is
also regularly consulted by the World Health Organization.
The E.F.O. and the European Parliament
The President of E.F.O. holds of a card of “Permanent Correspondent”
allowing him constant access in the premises of the European Parliament in
Brussels and Strasbourg, in order to follow sessions relating with Health
issues (Inter-Groups) or to meet Members of Parliament to ask them
questions regarding Osteopathy. Te Inter-Groups of the European Parliament
hold special meetings which allow to Parliamentarians of all groups to listen to
interventions by professionals of Health. E.F.O. has already intervened
several times in conferences on Osteopathy pleading for the necessity of its
recognition in Europe.
The E.F.O. and the European Parliament
In 1993, many meetings with Members and the staff of the European
Parliament had been taken place have been held. In April 1993, Paul
Lannoye, M.E.P. has organized in Strasbourg, a seminar on non-conventional
Medicines which was co-chaired by the representative of R.E.O. (future
F.E.O.). For many years, E.F.O. has taken part in the drafting of Mr. Lannoye
Report on non-conventional Medicines for the part concerning Osteopathy.
The Lannoye Report
From May 27 to May 29, 1997 our presence at the European Parliament was
very important, we have met various M.E.P.’s in order to convince them to
vote in favour of the Report, and we were in permanent contact with the office
of Paul Lannoye. Finally on May 29 we were present at all the debates that
lead to the adoption of the Report in Plenary Session. We know now the
impact of this event for the recognition of Osteopathy in many countries of
Europe, which were inspired by the report in order to present legislative
projects relating to the legalization of our profession.
From May 27 to May 29, 1997 our presence at the European Parliament was
very important, we have met various M.E.P.’s in order to convince them to
vote in favour of the Report, and we were in permanent contact with the office
of Paul Lannoye. Finally on May 29 we were present at all the debates that
lead to the adoption of the Report in Plenary Session. We know now the
impact of this event for the recognition of Osteopathy in many countries of
Europe, which were inspired by the report in order to present legislative
projects relating to the legalization of our profession.
The European Commission
Many meetings have been held with the Directorate General of the European
Commission. One of the most important ones was held in 1997 in the premises of the former D.G. 15 where for the first time the concept of Eur Ost
D.O. (European Osteopath D.O) was evoked. A project was then entrusted to
us and our works allowed us to register a label EurOst D.O. with the D.G.
Markt. This label is used only by Osteopaths. We have also been received by
D.G. Research and Education in order to present and help to establish a true
research and teaching programme in Osteopathy.
Many meetings have been held with the Directorate General of the European
Commission. One of the most important ones was held in 1997 in the premises of the former D.G. 15 where for the first time the concept of Eur Ost
D.O. (European Osteopath D.O) was evoked. A project was then entrusted to
us and our works allowed us to register a label EurOst D.O. with the D.G.
Markt. This label is used only by Osteopaths. We have also been received by
D.G. Research and Education in order to present and help to establish a true
research and teaching programme in Osteopathy.
The European Commission
Three studies relating to Osteopathy were addressed to the European
Commission by A.R.E.D.O.E. (Association for Research and development of
Osteopathy in Europe). The President and the Secretary-General of E.F.O.
were received in February 2005 by Mrs. Pamela Brumpter, head of unit of
D.G. Markt (Intern Market). The purpose of this meeting was to organize a
Common Platform for Osteopaths. It is important to determine a certain
number of common criteria for the exercise of our profession in Europe in
order to conform with article 15 of the Directive on the Mutual Recognition of
the Professional Qualifications.
Three studies relating to Osteopathy were addressed to the European
Commission by A.R.E.D.O.E. (Association for Research and development of
Osteopathy in Europe). The President and the Secretary-General of E.F.O.
were received in February 2005 by Mrs. Pamela Brumpter, head of unit of
D.G. Markt (Intern Market). The purpose of this meeting was to organize a
Common Platform for Osteopaths. It is important to determine a certain
number of common criteria for the exercise of our profession in Europe in
order to conform with article 15 of the Directive on the Mutual Recognition of
the Professional Qualifications.
The C.O.S.T. B 4
Representatives of our Association were present in Pavia during the meeting
of the C.O.S.T. (Co-operation in Science and Technology) in 1998. At the time
of the working sessions, many questions on our discipline have been asked.
The A.R.E.D.O.E has presented an important report on Research in the
osteopathic literature. Many M.E.P.’s were present amongst which Mr Paul
Lannoye.
Representatives of our Association were present in Pavia during the meeting
of the C.O.S.T. (Co-operation in Science and Technology) in 1998. At the time
of the working sessions, many questions on our discipline have been asked.
The A.R.E.D.O.E has presented an important report on Research in the
osteopathic literature. Many M.E.P.’s were present amongst which Mr Paul
Lannoye.
Actions for the recognition in the Member States
Since 1997 and 1998 meetings have been held with Mr. Marcel Colla, Belgian
Minister for Health, Private Secretary, Mr Paul Lannoye and members of our
Association in the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels. The
Minister was inspired by t the Lannoye Report on non-conventional Medicines
in order to recognize Osteopathy in Belgium. This recognition became indeed a fact in 1999. In 1997 a meeting with Mr. Bernard Kouchner, future French
Minister for Health took place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, it was
asked, inter alia, to Mr. Kouchner to support the Lannoye Report, and to
intervene in France in order to persuade the Government to start a process of
recognition for the Osteopathy.
Actions for the recognition in the Member States
In 1999, a Working Group for the recognition of Osteopathy was set up in
France. Pr Guy Nicolas, President of the group, has requested E.F.O.’s
assistance in order to get information on the practice of Osteopathy in Europe.
In 2000, the E.F.O. intervened in Spain to support the independence of
Osteopathy and has participated in the Congress of Madrid. The E.F.O. is also
an official partner of the Congress of V.O.D (Verband der Osteopathen
Deutschland) and actively lobbies with German Government supporting
German Osteopaths.
In 2001, E.F.O.
was officially invited by the French National Assembly in Paris in order to give
information on the exercise of Osteopathy in Europe in the framework of the
future French law on the recognition of Osteopathy and Chiropractic. This law
will be adopted by the French National Assembly in October 2001 and has
promulgated in March 4, 2002. In October 2001, the President of E.F.O. was
invited to a lunch with Mr. Bernard Kouchner, French Minister for Health. In
2001, the Commission for the Recognition of Osteopathy in Switzerland
requested the participation of E.F.O. in a hearing on the practice of our
profession in Europe.
In the 2003 and 2004, E.F.O.
has lobbied on several times with Prime Minister of Portugal in order to obtain
support for the process of recognition in this country. In the 2004 and 2005,
E.F.O. has sent several letters and communications to the Luxemburg
Ministers for Health, Carlo Wagner and his successor Mars Di Bartholoméo,
pleading osteopathy to be exempted from prescription laws in Luxembourg.
We helped the authorities of this country to realise that nowhere in Europe and
on world, Osteopathic is subject to prescription and must for reason relating to the safety of the patients being practised by of Osteopaths who have followed
a specific training. After a petition orchestrated by the E.F.O., the Government
of Luxembourg has decided to postpone its project.
has lobbied on several times with Prime Minister of Portugal in order to obtain
support for the process of recognition in this country. In the 2004 and 2005,
E.F.O. has sent several letters and communications to the Luxemburg
Ministers for Health, Carlo Wagner and his successor Mars Di Bartholoméo,
pleading osteopathy to be exempted from prescription laws in Luxembourg.
We helped the authorities of this country to realise that nowhere in Europe and
on world, Osteopathic is subject to prescription and must for reason relating to the safety of the patients being practised by of Osteopaths who have followed
a specific training. After a petition orchestrated by the E.F.O., the Government
of Luxembourg has decided to postpone its project.
C.E.P.L.I.S.
In December 1999, the E.F.O. was unanimously welcomed as an active
member of C.E.P.L.I.S. This event has inaugurated a new era for Osteopathy
in Europe. In 2000, the President of E.F.O. was elected at the Executive Board
of C.E.P.L.I.S. and was afterwards named as Treasurer by the same board.
The presence of E.F.O. in C.E.P.L.I.S. allows Osteopaths to be really involved
in all the discussions relating to Health at the European level. Thanks to
C.E.P.L.I.S., E.F.O. is a member of Group 3 near the European Economic and
Social Committee and to use for its meetings the premises of the E.E.C.C. In
Brussels, the members of E.F.O board are members of Working Groups set
up by C.E.P.L.I.S.: Health W.G., Regulated Professions W.G., and Services
W.G.
