IPA Founding Conference part 2

As Trotsky once said "While we fight to change life, let us not forget the reasons for living."*

A few facts, first of all. The attendance list shows 66 people, drawn from patient representatives, scientists, doctors and industry. Patient represntatives came from Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, India, USA, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Italy, The Phillipinnes, Japan and Australia, with scientists and doctors covering much the same spread. There were industry representatives there from Pharming, Synpac and Genzyme.

Those are the ingredients. The recipe involves people with a common goal, in touch via email and telephone, finally meeting for the first time.  Bring together in a Dutch hotel and let simmer for 3 days of intense discussion.

The end result was an occasion that none of the participants will ever forget. Both personal and organisational bonds were formed that have stood the test of time. The formal programme was, as can be seen from the link in the previous post, a comprehensive review of the 'state of the art'. Perhaps even more important though were the many discussions that took place 'in the margins'. That is one of the reasons I've kept the wine bottle shown above - to remind me that the social side was as important as the scientific.

It was a remarkable, unique occasion and one which hardly seemed possible just a few years before. It's fair to say, I think, that the internet helped make it possible. However it was people actually meeting together that provided the alchemy.  Everyone present went away enthused, and energised.

There was a real feeling that, at long last, progress was being made and that, even more importantly, here was a group of people who were joining together to take charge of their own destiny.

From now on the IPA would be the voice of patients worldwide.

*Yes, that quote is tongue in cheek. This commemorative wine given to participants by the VSN. While I've kept the bottle, the wine itself was drunk on 29 July, 2000.