Celebrating 6th March all around the EU

Abstract

Objective: CPLOL celebrates EU day on 6th March every year, on the anniversary of the signing of the constitutional charter in 1998. The objective is for all the SLT professional associations to focus on raising awareness of communication and swallowing disorders on the same date across the EU. These campaigns highlight key information about the impact of communication difficulties on the quality of life for individuals and their families and also help to promote awareness of the professional role of the speech and language therapist (SLT).

Methods: The annual topics focus on a specified communication disorder and campaign slogan, for all associations to implement in the own country. In 2015 the topic is acquired neurological communication disorders. “Communication is everything: Speech and Language Therapy is the key”; Les troubles du langage d’origine neurologiques. “La communication est tout. L’orthophonie en est la clé”.

Results: There is an annual report of activities from each country to share examples of successful initiatives. The poster will show a wide range of creative activities and materials recently used across CPLOL member countries.

Conclusions: Continuing to celebrate EU day will support SLTs across Europe to have high quality resources and messages to promote awareness of our role and to influence the general public, multi-professional colleagues, politicians and the media.