1997 BRUSSEL, BELGIUM
Health at Work Everyone’s Business
Congress Overview
The Federation of Occupational Health Nurses within the European Union (FOHNEU) held its first major international congress from 10 to 12 September 1997 at the Palais des Congrès in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium and the Netherlands acted as joint host nations for this landmark event, which brought together occupational health nurses, physicians, hygienists, safety officers and occupational health and safety managers from across Europe under the theme “Health at Work – Everyone’s Business.”
The Congress was held under the high patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, herself a qualified nurse and Head of the Belgian Red Cross.
Congress at a Glance
FOHNEU was founded in 1993 to enable occupational health nurses across Europe to work together towards safer, healthier workplaces and cost-effective quality care. At the time of the Brussels Congress, the Federation represented some 45,000 occupational health nurses working across the European Union’s 15 Member States.
The Congress theme reflected sobering figures underlying its purpose: research at the time showed that around 8,000 workers died each year in the European Union as a result of work accidents, while a further 10 million workers were affected by occupational diseases – representing not only immense financial cost but unacceptable human suffering. The event centred on the European Community’s programme on Health and Safety at Work, and included a large international exhibition alongside the scientific programme.
Opening Ceremony and Patronage
The Congress opened on the morning of Wednesday 10 September 1997, with an Opening Ceremony addressed by:
● Mrs Miet Smet, Minister
● Prof. Jean-François Caillard, President, International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH)
● Mrs Frances Baker, President, FOHNEU
● Mr Guy Van de Vel, President, VVVB
● Mr Albert Verhagen, President, NVVB
Main Theme and Topics
The scientific programme addressed the European Community’s current agenda on health and safety at work, covering a wide range of topics including:
● Occupational stress and its effects on health and safety
● Cancer in the workplace
● Cost-effective health and safety management for small and medium-sized enterprises
● Teams and teamworking in occupational health
● Training and education initiatives to improve the competency of occupational health practitioners
● Health promotion and risk assessment as tools for reducing ill health
● The challenges of enforcing health and safety law
● Ethical considerations in occupational health practice
Keynote and Invited Speakers
Poster and oral presentations were delivered by leading occupational health practitioners and academics, including Prof. J. Rantanen (Finland), Mr H.H. Konkolewsky, Prof. G. Gambini (Italy), Dr J. Melse (Netherlands), Prof. B. Knave (Sweden), Mr D. Vermeulen (Belgium), Prof. M.F. Fay (USA) and Ms C. Bannister (United Kingdom).
Programme Booklet
FOHNEU President Francis Baker at the 1st FOHNEU Congress held at the Palais des Congrès ,Brussels Belgium 1997.
FOHNEU Vice President Julie Staun with International colleagues at the 1st FOHNEU Congress in Brussels 1997.
