International conference on neglected infectious diseases - Brussels, 8-9 November

Brussels, 06 Sep 2006

An international conference on neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) will take place between 8 and 9 November in Brussels, Belgium. NIDs are responsible for an estimated 500,000 deaths and millions of disabilities each year, with 90 per cent of cases occurring in low income countries. Investment in researching these diseases has been inadequate, according to the European Commission's Research Directorate General, Directorate International Scientific Cooperation who co-organised the event with the support of the European Parliament.

The conference brings the European and non-European scientific community together, including policy makers, research managers, representatives of relevant international NGOs, UN bodies and other interested parties. The conference will be a forum to discuss what needs to be done to increase the impact of EU-funded collaborative research on the control of NIDs. The conference will give delegates the opportunity to:

- discuss future European funding strategies for research into NIDs considering the recent report by MEP John Bowis, and the current international debate on investing in controlling NIDs;
- develop an agenda for NID related Community funding under the seventh Framework Programme;
- link EU-funded projects to the wider field of national and international initiatives for NID control. Further information:
http://teamwork.intbase.com/0606_02/

Cordis
Item source