Alzheimer Europe’s October 2023 newsletter brings you the latest news on developments in the dementia field, across Europe and beyond.

Summaries of a few of our top stories appear below.

Our monthly newsletter reaches thousands of people with an interest in the field, from across Europe and beyond. We are always happy to receive feedback, or suggestions regarding news items to share.

On 15 and 16 October, the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD) met in Helsinki, prior to the opening of the 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference (33AEC). The members of the group also successfully organised, moderated and presented the first plenary session which was an important milestone for the group as well as for the Alzheimer Europe Conference.

At the Alzheimer Europe AGM on 16 October, the “Helsinki Manifesto” was adopted. The Manifesto sets out the current position of dementia in Europe as well as calling for actions in four main areas: health, research, disability and social rights, and informal carers. The document, along with a public call for action and our 2024 European Parliament election campaign (Dementia Pledge 2024), will be officially launched in December 2023.

The 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference (33AEC) took place in Helsinki from 16 to 18 October. The conference, which was our biggest yet, was a huge success and we are really pleased with the great feedback we have had from so many people, who found the event to be engaging, welcoming, interesting, diverse and inclusive.

The first place for our 2023 Anti-Stigma Award went to Touchstone’s BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Dementia Service, while second place went to Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard’s initiative “Rainbow Neighbours” and the third place was awarded to Hogeschool Windesheim for its campaign “Assess your assumptions”. Congratulations to them all!

Check out these highlights from the 2023 edition of the Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) conference which was held in Boston, USA from 24 to 27 October.