17th Ministerial Conference, Pompidou Group
EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel is attending the 17th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe in Stavanger (Norway) today. The aim of the two-day conference — which brings together representatives of government and civil society — is to adopt the Pompidou Group’s next three-year work programme (2019–22) ‘Sustainable drug policies respectful of human rights’.
Norwegian Minister of Health, Bent Høie will deliver a keynote speech during a session on the Pompidou Group’s achievements under the current work programme (2015–18). Ministers and other dignitaries will also be invited to deliver ‘impulse statements’ on the impact of the work of the group. Day 1 will close with the 2018 European Prevention Prize, awarded every two years to high-quality drug prevention projects that fully involve young people.
Day 2 will focus on the upcoming work programme, which emphasises the need for an evidence-based approach to drug policymaking. Short inputs by Ministers will concentrate on the three key aspects of the programme: good governance; international drug policy development and new challenges.
During the session ‘Addressing 21st century challenges’, Mr Goosdeel will make a statement on the challenges of developing drug policy in an ever-changing drug situation in Europe and on how the EMCDDA is contributing to a healthier and more secure Europe.