The proposed European Conference, which will take place in the framework of the 6th European Patients` Rights Day aims at reaching the following objectives:

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1. increase awareness and information on the active participation of ageing citizens in the enforcement of their patients` rights in all EU countries with their double role of:
- empowered patients who know how to manage their own disease and how to deal with the health care system
- active citizens who act in the community (through trainings, self-help, empowerment of other old people, etc.) and participate in the governance of health-care systems.

2. demonstrate how the active role of "empowered ageing patients/users" can contribute to face the challenges resulting from the crisis of the European social and "demographic" model, maintaining the health care universalism.

3. promote the active participation of ageing people in health-care policy and services in order to enhance well-being in old age and avoid that diseases can be cause of their (and their families) social exclusion.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
1. bring together a wide range of stakeholders throughout Europe:
- to reflect on what is currently being done regarding ageing patients` rights
- to discuss how the involvement of ageing patients/users in citizens` organisations dealing with health, can contribute to the well-being of the whole community, as well as to a better management of the crisis faced by healthcare services in all EU countries.

2. contribute, thanks to the collection and sharing of best practices from all EU countries:
- to the development and/or improvement of public policies for the active involvement of ageing patients/users in the health policy and for the empowerment of ageing patients/users
- to reveal the concrete benefits of this approach.

3. promote a broader alliance between citizens` and patients` organisations as well as with other important health care stakeholders such as health professional (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) health institutions, health care structures etc., identifying together Guidelines that can be used at European and national level.

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