April 2004   In This Issue...   Front Page   Value Model   Toolbox   Integrated Program   Risk Management   Outcomes Connections Regulatory   Update Research   Review Interact   Member     Exchange     Forum Feedback	Connections A look at issues and events that affect the global employee assistance profession.   European EA Professionals Organize New Forum “More than 30 EA practitioners from 14 countries met recently in Copenhagen, Denmark, to form the Employee Assistance European Forum (EAEF). Hosted by NMC, a leading Scandinavian EAP provider, and with the support of ACCOR, the meeting followed up on an earlier planning meeting in Germany in September 2002. Delegates heard a series of presentations on the challenges facing EA practitioners in Europe and particularly in continental Europe, where the EAP market is in its infancy compared with the more developed markets in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Speakers included EAPA’s chief executive officer, Toni Samuel, who briefed delegates on recent developments within the association and offered support and encouragement for the successful development of the forum. Other EAPA representatives included Ken Neilson of Australia, a member of the EAPA Board of Directors, and the presidents of the EAPA chapters in Greece, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The EAEF aims to provide a focal point for EA practitioners in Europe and for the development of good practice in Europe. A steering group has been set up to develop the forum and create its bylaws. Three focus groups have been tasked with developing standards and accreditation guidelines, professional development opportunities, and European-focussed research projects. The forum has set up a Web site (www.eaef.org) and is working on its external communications program. This includes developing mutually beneficial relationships with EAPA, related European professional bodies, and policy makers in the European Union as well as raising funds to create and maintain awareness of the organizational benefits of quality EA work in European workplaces. The forum just completed their latest meeting in Athens, Greece, on March 26-27, 2004. More information is available on the EAEF Web site.”     Back Issues   Top of Page   Contact EAPA   © 2004 Exhange On-Line is a publication of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Inc. (EAPA). Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly prohibited. Publication of bylined articles does not constitute endorsement of personal views of authors. Appearance of paid advertisements does not constitute endorsement by EAPA.	Vol. 2    No. 1