The Young Gastein initiative, as a joint project of the European Commission and the European Health Forum Gastein, addresses young researchers and/or officials from Member States of the European Union working in the field of health. It is the intention of the EHFG and the European Commission (DG Health and DG Research) to bring young and promising policy-officers and researchers to Gastein.
The Young Gastein Initiative was launched on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the EHFG and is now heading into its third year. Following the great success of the previous years and the encouraging feedback the European Health Forum Gastein intends to continue the initiative of a Young Forum Gastein.
“The Young Gastein has given me an opportunity to network informally with a great number of colleagues across Europe, many who are facing the same challenges as I do in my daily work. The YG network gives me "entrypoints" in almost every member state for different topics in the health field. The exchange of experience within the group has also lead to a deeper understanding of the relation between research and policymaking, differences between member states and not the least: good friends on the way!”
(Nina Bergman)
“In my opinion Young Gastein is an excellent network for one's professional but also personal development. Not only that we are part of 'something bigger', a conference where the future development of European Health Care (Policy) is being created and being able to interact with high level experts but also be updated on everything that is happening in this field. However, for me, the biggest added value of the Young Gastein, is meeting of so many young people from all over Europe, who have more or less common interests and seeing how friendships are born. I think it is important to feel connected and in my opinion, the Young Gastein manages that quite well.”
(Eva Turk)
“My personal experience within the German presidency is, that the success of many European initiatives very much depends on the personal commitment and confidence between the decision-makers involved. Hereby, networking at an early stage is essential and has been missing until now among young policy makers. The chances for young European health policy makers to exchange their ideas have been quite limited as often the main European health events areattended by the senior level. In this regard the Young Gastein Forum offers a unique opportunity for young policy makers from all Member States.”
(Björn Kümmel)
For more pictures of the Young Forum Gastein 2008 check out our Gallery. There you find also pictures of the Meeting in Brussels in April 2009.
