Perspectives and Controversial Issues for Research in Rehabilitation

Congress president : A. Giustini
Head of the Local Organizing Committee : C. Pistarini
Head of the Scientific Committee : G. Fazekas

Congress web address:www.efrr2011.it

Dear Colleagues,

The 10th EFRR Congress, which was held in Riga last year, has already become a part of the history of European multiprofessional rehabilitation system development - and now the time has come to identify tasks for the next two years. However, before proceeding with future plans I would like to mention once more Prof. Haim Ring. During his presidency and up to the time of his death Haim Ring was busy organizing the general activities of EFRR and the 10th. Congress in particular. Many of his ideas were integrated into the planning of this congress, a fact which undoubtedly contributed to its success with more than 500 delegates taking part from 31 countries. We were saddened by Prof. Ring’s sudden and premature death last year, and he will be missed by the whole family of experts working in the field of rehabilitation. In the midst of many duties left by Prof. Ring to be taken care of, my thanks and appreciation go to Dr. Gabor Fazekas who accepted the responsibility of Acting President of EFRR up until the Riga Congress and who together with the other members of the Scientific Committee, Helena Burger and Angela Harth, undertook the arduous work of processing the Congress Abstracts and putting together the Congress Scientific Programme. Additionally, my thanks belong to everybody who supported the Congress.

One of the most important activities during the next two years is the organization of the 11th EFRR Congress. This will be held in Italy in 2011. Prof. Alessandro Giustini has accepted the duties of organising this event together with the EFRR President and council. The topics suggested to be highlighted in the coming congress concern the analyses of the tasks and activity processes of a multiprofessional rehabilitation team in the “ European Context “, thereby addressing the issue of the rapid growth of European territorial and cultural diversity.

During my term of office, I would like to strengthen the cooperation between EFRR and other professional and disabled peoples’ organizations in Europe. It is important for strategically placed organisations to communicate and work together to provide solutions for a more inclusive society. ESPRM in particular is a long-term partner in the development of rehabilitation systems but it is also important to renew old contacts. For instance, in 1998 in Berlin contact was established with Rehabilitation International - the influential international organization supporting people with disabilities. This initial contact was renewed in Riga when delegates from Rehabilitation International attended the EFRR congress. It is my intention to transform the mutually expressed wishes for cooperation into concrete activities.

I wish success to everybody who is interested in multiprofessional rehabilitation team approach development in the care of functionally restricted people in Europe, and hope to be meeting with many of you during my term of office.

Sincerely,
Prof. Aivars Vētra
President , EFRR