Lisbon is situated at the western border of Europe, placed ideally to connect Europe to other continents. In historic times Portuguese traders have exchanged goods throughout all the known world, and we hope to exchange ideas with all palliative and hospice professionals in the world. This is shown in the congress motto “Reaching out”.

As well as contributions from renowned specialists from all over the world as in previous congresses, we hope to involve participants from across Europe – around the Mediterranean and Western Europe as well as from Eastern, Central Europe, and across the Atlantic to both North and South America.

Palliative care has predominantly been focused on patients with cancer in the past and the Congress aims to reach out to other patient groups, and the specialists involved in their care. We are all facing the challenge across Europe of the change in demographics, with an increase in the elderly and particularly those with dementia. These changes bear a challenge to health care systems in all European countries. Although not all elderly people, or even those with dementia, require palliative care there will be increasing demands as many will have more complex physical, psychosocial or spiritual issues which could benefit from specialist palliative care.

The programme will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about new developments – in symptom management, psychosocial care as well as spiritual and ethical issues. As in previous congresses, a major part of the congress will be based on contributions from the participants, giving voice and focus to the problems in the field and the newest research results.

You are invited to mark the calendar for the congress, and to submit abstracts for posters and free communications.