INTERNATIONAL COELIAC DAY 16 MAY
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This year, on 16 May we celebrate our first International Coeliac Day with coeliac societies worldwide organising events to raise awareness of coeliac disease.
In Germany, the DZG kick off celebrations in Hannover on 11 May with a large event expected to attract over 3,000 visitors. The Swiss coeliac society IZG is organising events all throughout the month of May. In the UK, Coeliac UK has several events during their Awareness Week 13-19 May. In Finland, the coeliac society Keliakialiitto is holding the Coeliac 2013 Expo between 17-18 May.
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Our member society in Croatia, Hrvatsko Drustvo za Celijakiju, has been holding awareness-raising events over the past week, for example manning a stand in the main square of Zagreb and sharing information on the work of their association. On 16 May an event called "Coeliac disease - often unrecognized disease" is being held at their Coeliac centre and on Saturday 18 May their members are being treated to a barbecue in celebration of International Coeliac Day.
In Spain, coeliac society La Federación de Asociaciones de Celiacos de España-FACE and their local groups are organising a series of awareness-raising events. The Celíacs de Catalunya-SMAP will be holding awareness-raising events in October.
The Latvian coeliac society Dzive bez glutena is organising a Celiac March on May 19, named "I cannot eat what you eat". Members will be dressed in yellow t-shirts with a crossed grain symbol and name of their society. They will proceed through streets of the busy restaurant area in the Old Town of Riga, going from one restaurant and distributing brochures. On 16 May a press is being sent to the Restaurant association and in connection with the Riga Marathon on May 19 the society’s members will be working the crowd of spectators. The society already has plans for next year when they are considering joining this Marathon with a Celiac Run within the City of Riga.
In Hungary, the coeliac society Lisztérzékenyek Érdekképviseletének Országos Egyesülete is holding their GA on 18 May. The official programme runs until 1pm, followed by a Family Day starting at 2pm with an event 'Let's bake together - glutenfree'. Families are invited to prepare their best gluten-free recipes for pizzas, fruit cakes or savoury biscuits. Some of their local groups will be organising their events towards the end of May- early June.
Coeliac New Zealand is holding an Awareness Week between 26 May – 1 June.
The Canadian Celiac Association will be acknowledging the International Coeliac Day on 16 May.
In Belgium, Société Belge de la Cœliaquie organised a gluten-free fair on 4 May and have a press release appearing in several daily newspapers.
The Coeliac Society of Ireland have planned a series of events starting on 16 May, including several information sessions.
Svenska Celiakiforbundet, the Swedish coeliac society has organised a GLMS day on 15 May. GLMS stands for gluten-free, lactose-free, milk-free and soya-free. Some of their local societies have been in contact with schools in their surrounding areas and asked them to serve free from dishes on the day.
Our Member society in Luxembourg, Association Luxembourgeoise des Intolérants au Gluten (A.L.I.G.) is holding an Information Day on 9 June 2013.
Udruzenje Srbije za Celijakiju in Serbia is holding the following events:18 May – a talk on “Celiac disease, gluten-free diet challenges” and on May 25 a lecture on "I WANT TO KNOW".
In Greece, the Hellenic Coeliac Society participated at a workshop organised by the Hellenic Food Authority on coeliac disease and gluten free products with a presentation on "Gluten-free diet in daily life". They issued press releases with information on coeliac disease and designed their own Facebook profile image for International Coeliac Day.
AOECS 25th Anniversary
In 2013, AOECS celebrates its 25th year of operation. Founded in 1988, the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) is an independent, non-profit organisation. It is the umbrella organisation of European national coeliac societies with currently 39 enrolled Member societies across Europe. AOECS represents people who are affected by the coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and seeks to collaborate with international coeliac organisations worldwide.
The General Assembly is taking place in Amsterdam, between 5-8 September 2013 and registration opened in March 2013. Should you be interested in exhibiting or finding out more about planned events, please visit www.aoecs2013amsterdam.org for more information.
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The magnificent Royal Tropical Institute of Holland - Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen (KIT) |
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Alongside the General Assembly, a joint scientific programme is taking place together with the Coeliac Disease Consortium and the Medical Center Leiden on the topic "Scientific and Medical Overview and Future Prospects of Coeliac Disease".
If you have ever been to Amsterdam, you will know that it is a city of bicycles—they even have their own lanes! The Dutch society is organising a cycling tour of which is a great way to get to know Amsterdam and its canals.
Sounds like it is going to be interesting, informative and lots of fun!
