Epilepsy Youth in Europe Launched
www.eyie.org

The Epilepsy Youth in Europe network (eyie.org) promotes co-operation and community among young people with epilepsy facing occupational and social exclusion.

The 'eyie' network, an initiative of the IBE, was launched on 21st May at the 7th European Epilepsy Conference. The launch followed a 6 day training and practical experience activity held in Athens between May 16 to 21, 2000.  The participants were 20 young people and youth workers from 14 countries, speaking 11 languages. The objectives of the 6 day training activity were:

• to provide the skills necessary to design and publish web pages,
• to create a multi-lingual set of web pages for young people with epilepsy,
• to establish an ongoing network of youth workers and young people with epilepsy across Europe.

Each participant will act as an ambassador for the Epilepsy Youth in Europe (eyie.org) network in their own country and help young people with epilepsy to take part in EYIE. A regular chat-room session has been established for the first Tuesday of each month at 19.00 CET. This is the first European chat-room on epilepsy. Young people from all European countries are encouraged to join EYIE, contribute to the web site and join the chat session. The network will be maintained by the IBE and expanded to include all European countries.

Young people with epilepsy face a number of barriers to their social integration and personal development. They are particularly disadvantaged due to the social and occupational stigma of epilepsy. The transition from school to work is a crucial time for personal development. This is made all the more difficult because people with epilepsy are often isolated due to misunderstandings about epilepsy, the stigma of having epilepsy and the fear and rejection of others. The internet provides a means of contact for young people to identify their needs and discuss the possibilities of overcoming barriers to greater integration in society. The Epilepsy Youth in Europe (eyie.org) web-site will create a network where young people with epilepsy can meet without fear of being stigmatised, enabling them to express their views and concerns and to learn from others in similar situations.

The International Bureau for Epilepsy is an umbrella organisation of 83 national epilepsy associations across the world. The aim of the International Bureau for Epilepsy is improved quality of life for all people with epilepsy.

John Chaplin
Director EYiE project
International Bureau for Epilepsy
Sweden
Tel: 046 46 17 84 14
Fax: 046 46 17 70 51
Email: eye1@telia.com
Web: www.eyie.org