Welcome to the 8th EAPC Congress in April 2003! The Congress will take place in
The Netherlands, in the fair city of The Hague.

All EAPC congresses have contributed to the further development of palliative care throughout Europe presenting ongoing and previous work in the field and providing a meeting place for health and social care professionals, academics and volunteers from different settings in many countries. The Netherlands itself serves as an example of this impetus in a country which has seen a remarkable development in palliative care services over the past ten years. During the congress you will be given the opportunity to acquaint yourself directly with a number of these developments through "on site" visits.

Over the years the movement of palliative care in Europe has gained considerable momentum and has become increasingly evidence-based - through deepening clinical experience, audit and quality assurance, basic and applied research, and systematic reviews.

The Scientific Committee has decided to focus attention on nine main topics covering the whole scope of palliative care. Outstanding speakers and experts in their field have been invited to address these topics. In smaller parallel sessions we will offer time to discuss these and other issues in more detail. Special attention will be given to the issue of "palliative care and older people" - reflecting the consequences and demands of an aging population on palliative care services.

During previous meetings of the EAPC the direct and personal communication with colleagues in the field has been often mentioned as being of the greatest importance. Consequently, we want explicitly to enhance this development by creating a proper setting for the exchange of information and inspiration. The Scientific Committee regards the opportunity to "meet and sit down with your colleagues" as one of the major underlying themes of the congress.

Last but certainly not least, your own contribution, bringing your experiences, your practical and scientific knowledge, your specific insights into the key issues in palliative care as it stands today, will all be vital and the key to the success of this congress.

On behalf of the Scientific Committee I look forward to seeing you in The Hague in April 2003.

Stein Kaasa
EAPC
Chair Scientific Committee