HISTORY OF COTEC
INTRODUCTION
COTEC was established in 1986 to co-ordinate the views of the National Associations of Occupational Therapy of the then Member States of the European Communities. The European Council in Brussels agreed in 1983 that "mutual recognition for diplomas was an important step in creating satisfactory conditions for the exercise of a number of professions" including occupational therapists. COTEC responded by submitting comments to the European Commission and to National Governments and so the work of COTEC continues to harmonise the profession both within the EEU, the EEA and indeed to Eastern Europe.
The first record of a special group of occupational therapists who met because of their particular interest in occupational therapy in Europe, were those who on the 5th July 1986, attended a meeting held during the London European Conference of Occupational Therapy. Mr Beuve-Merry, Director General 111, of the Commission of the European Communities addressed the Conference. He indicated that some financial assistance might be available from the EEC to assist in the formation of a European Group of Occupational Therapists.
A report by the EEC representative to the AGM of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland on the 13th October 1984 states that information was needed on three issues namely the Free Movement of OT's, the degree of co-ordination of the profession and the education and training requirements. An earlier letter (6/2/85) on file from the same rep., suggested to the WFOT ad hoc EEC Committee that the opportunity should be taken to hold a meeting of the reps. of EEC States. It was also suggested that an invitation be sent to a representative from the EEC Commission to the planned European Congress, to explain the Commissions policy especially in regard to the EEC paper 257 (considered relevant to OT).
Records show that the WFOT considered the matter of the EEC at their meeting in 1972 and formed an ad hoc committee on the EEC in 1982. Following their 15th Council Meeting that year, the Professional Practice Committee approached the EEC because of their policy for mutual recognition of diplomas and requested them to provide information on the professional practice and training of occupational therapists.
As I have been the Association of Occupational Therapists of Irelands representative to COTEC for ten years and prior to that the National EEC rep., I now feel that it is an appropriate time to record some of the work done by COTEC through the efforts of many members of the Committee over that time. I have therefore extracted the information in this document from the minutes of our meetings.
To date 25 meetings of the European OT committee have been held. Each meeting has been hosted by the National Associations. Initially approximately eight representatives were present. At a recent meeting a record 26 people attended representing 19 European Associations.
The following is a record of the venues, the Associations represented and some of the topics discussed over these meetings. Many times we have remarked to each other that much of the real work gets done over the informal sessions - when we are enjoying the taste of the local delicacies and beverages. These gems have not been recorded! This is dedicated to all the representatives to COTEC who I have enjoyed meeting so much in the last ten years.
Strasbourg 17.1.86
The Chairperson was from the UK and the Secretary from France.
First official meeting of the Committee of European Occupational Therapists commenced at 9.00am and finished at 6.00pm. Information to be brought to the meeting by representatives included documents about study programmes and legislation about the OT profession in each country and to have discussed with the Association their policy and reactions to the EEC document COM(85)355 published in the EEC journal C217 /3.
At this meeting it was decided to adopt the WFOT Minimum Standards of Education as a point of reference.
Strasbourg 25.4.86.
Associations represented:- B, F, Irl, I, Dk, NL, E, and UK.
The words Occupational therapy and Ergotherapy would from now on describe the name and title of our profession. Efforts to establish that countries meet the WFOT education standards were made. Five countries (B, F, D, Irl,NL & UK) use WFOT education standards. A constitution to be prepared and agreed on. Considerable discussion time allowed reps. to bring up alternative issues -work permit, registration, relationship with WFOT, and the value of an EEC OT committee. Reps. on their return home had a considerable amount of work to gather in preparation for the next meeting. A decision to make contact with Governments and other EEC groups (physiotherapy as they were looking for an individual Directive) was taken. Mr Beuve-Merry to be notified of the formation of the committee.
Brussels 1.9.86.
Associations represented: B, Dk, F, D, Irl, NL, P, E, UK.
Representatives reported on their associations contact with their governments. The proposed EEC Directive on migrants was discussed and the views of professional bodies sought. Minimum requirements for Supervised Practice of migrant OT's was discussed . The EEC paper COM (85) on the exchange of students was discussed, three countries have university status - B, Irl,'UK An approach to WFOT has been made to exchange information. The draft constitution was circulated for consultation. The development of a European College of OT was considered as post qualification education was considered essential. The proposed European Congress in Portugal in 1988 was welcomed. The CHART tabled the names used by each member Association, recognised title and indication if WFOT education standards were acceptable was created. Financial assistance of 8000 Ecu was received from the EEC.
Brussels 2.2.1987
Associations represented: B, F, D, Irl, I, L, Nl, P, UK The Secretary changed to Ireland
It was agreed to rotate the venue of committee meetings to facilitate various members. Reports on where governments stood regarding (EEC Paper 257) were given. In reply they were to be informed that the WFOT Education Standards were the accepted minimum. Contact with other paramedical professions was encouraged. Claim Forms to facilitate the claiming of money by representatives were initiated.
Milan 16.10.87
Associations represented: B, Dk, D, Gr, Irl, I, L, NL, E, UK.
The Committee is now called Committee of Occupational Therapists for the European Communities COTEC. 20,000 Ecu was allocated from the EEC for the meetings in 1988. Progress reports were given on the implementation of the Draft Directive on Higher Education (previously called EECpaper257) and contact was made with other professions. The national associations priorities in the field of OT were presented and discussed, how they related to the EEC directive, and developments in the field of OT - OT's involvement in schools and the elderly. It was very important to get an overview of developments within the profession in each country so that some level ground could be found.
A definition of OT was considered.
The first financial report was presented and circulated by the secretary. Categories on membership were defined. Other EEC Directives were discussed ERASMUS, COMMET etc. This meeting was a watershed for the committee and hence a post-meeting was held and people were urged to seek the support of their Association to continue the COTEC meeting.
Luxembourg* 29. 1 1988
Associations represented: B, F, D, Irl, I, L, UK. Ireland also took on the job of treasurer.
The representatives requested an exchange of information on assessment of geriatrics, promotion of OT, code of ethics, sensory integration, and research. The constitution of COTEC was unanimously adopted and notepaper printed. Representatives reported on the implementation of the Directive, computer courses and priorities of Associations.
Dublin 16.5. 1988
Associations represented: B, Dk, D, Gr, Irl, I, L, P, E, UK.
Information in the CHART was having its annual review and additional pages made. Subjects under discussion included - quality assurance, ethics, WFOT non/ approved schools, the implementation of what was known as the Draft Directive and possible post qualification courses. The possibility of introducing an Associate membership was considered.
Estoril 29.9.1988
Associations represented: B, Dk, F, D, Irl, P, E, UK.
The General Directive (89/48/EEC), was adopted by the EEC in December 1988. The application of this for each country were described and recommendations made about supervised practice. Some governments were to be contacted with the names of Reps. to COTEC, to make them aware of its existence and provide opportunity for exchange of information. Also discussed were Other courses, the CHART, and the definition of OT. It was decided that a European congress should take place every four years. A joint meeting of the COTEC and WFOT executives took place to clarify the role of COTEC within Europe. Later it was proposed in a letter to WFOT that COTEC should be an autonomous committee but have formal links, exchange information and annual reports with them. It was suggested we work together in areas which overlap in Europe. A proposal was made that regional committees such as ours need to function in an autonomous way.
Roeselare* Belgium 30.2.1989
Associations represented: B, Dk, F, D, I, Irl, L, NL, E, UK.
Contact with the appropriate Section of the EU was to be made with a list of the WFOT approved schools and the background, history and tradition of the Federation. WFOT appointed a liaison person to COTEC who would attend a meeting once a year. Confirm that we wish to become contributing WFOT members was made. A sixteen-word definition of OT was finally agreed on. The use and function of the CHART was discussed and new information columns added. Decisions were made to make contact with and enquire from the WHO and the EC regarding who had responsibility for Aids and the Elderly. It was also decided to: consider the essential subjects and expected minimums for an aptitude test, to create our own logo and to continue to seek suitable post qualification courses.
Madrid 20.4.1989
Associations represented: B, F, D, I, NL, P, E, UK. Secretary passed to Italy. Chairperson remained UK and Treasurer Ireland
The importance of being a named profession on the newly titled document "Council Directive 89/48/EEC" was referred to. Would there be a language test for migrants? Information on the constantly changing and developing OT schools was exchanged - those with WFOT recognition or not. The development of a Literature List was proposed "so that students could prepare themselves before the exam". The exchange of students was discussed. An outline of the first code of ethics was submitted. Quality assurance level in each country was discussed. A Congress manual was prepared. The participation of South African OT's in a European Congress was considered. The location of the next congress was also considered. Specialist definitions in the various areas which OT's work are to be defined. A COTEC newsletter was proposed.
Strasbourg 5.10.1989
Associations represented: B, Dk, F, I, Irl, L, NL, E, UK.
Much of the work on hand was the follow up from the last meeting and included the exchange of information from all Associations. New on the agenda this meeting was postgraduate training and European College of OT. The first edition of the COTEC newsletter was circulated.
Hannover* 31.1.1990
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, D, Gr, I, Ir1, L, NL, E, UK, and WFOT. A Vice-chair from D was elected.
The Chairman's annual report was adopted and an election of officers took place. Membership fee was revised. Other issues discussed were: quality assurance, the application of the Directive, European Congress, Data Protection, Courses, and specialist definitions. An EC Directive on two-year courses was of concern to some National Associations whose governments might consider that OT educational would be covered under it. Belgium will host the next European Congress.
New Executive: Chair NL, Vice-chair DK, Secretary Italy and Treasurer Ireland was elected to take over at the next meeting.
Copenhagen 5.9.1990
Associations represented B, CH, Dk, F, D, Irl, I, L, NL, E, UK, Se, Nor.
Working Groups were formed, members of the committee nominated themselves to the one they felt would be most appropriate for their interest and/or association. These included specialist definitions, newsletter, code of ethics, European Congress and aptitude tests. The Congress manual was adopted and further discussion on the proposed congress took place. The German situation after unification was clarified for us. New item - the application of new members.
Brussels* 27.6.1991
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, Gr, D, I, Irl, L, NL, E, UK.
Voting by proxy was considered after the Annual meeting, reports etc. COTEC's first 'Pink' baby was born and circulated. The Code of Ethics and Practice was translated into ten European languages and bound in a pink folder. EU money is no longer available to COTEC. Attendance at meetings must therefore be financed entirely by National Associations or subventions to them. Reports from working groups were given and future plans made for COTEC.
Amsterdam 15. 11. 1991
Associations represented: B, Dk, F, D, Irl, I, L, NL, UK, WFOT.
It was decided to write the procedure for the election of officers into the constitution. Representatives gave report from Associations and outlined on how they need and use COTEC. Work continues on the working groups, the CHART, the European Congress, Minimum WFOT education standards, the Higher Education Directive, Quality Assurance, the Literature List and was followed by discussion time.
Ostend* 9.5.1992
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, Gr, D, I, Irl, L, NL, P, E, UK, Nor, and WFOT. Treasurer passed to L.
This meeting followed a very successful Congress organised by Belgium. An evaluation followed.
A COTEC poster was designed and brought to the European Congress in Ostend. The Associations priorities for COTEC were presented and a review of the profession was given.
Each rep. indicated the length of OT education required in the member country. Five countries have signed the Higher Directive - NI, F, Irl, D, & UK each have appointed a Competent Authority.
Alcoitao, Portugal 20. 11. 1992
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, D, I, Irl, L, NI, P, E, UK.
National Associations priorities and application of the Higher Directive were considered.
Report from the WFOT Council Meeting was heard.
"Summary of the Profession of Occupational Therapy" is the title of the CHART as it describes its function more clearly. Evaluation of the last Congress was made and Associations bidding to host the next one were considered.
Dublin* 20.5.1993
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, D, Gr, Irl, L, NI, E, Se, UK. Secretary passed to UK.
A review of the constitution and the status of associate members was considered. An inventory of schools of OT within the educational network is to be compiled to ascertain how they are networking within the ERASMUS scheme. A questionnaire was circulated to find our how the Code of Ethics is implemented in each country.
A meeting with representatives of the COTEC executive, the Department of Health, the Irish Association and COTEC was held to establish how the Higher Directive is being implemented in Ireland.
Frankfurt 19.11.1993
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, D, Irl, L; NI, E, Gr, P, Se, and WFOT.
Updates on developments within Associations and the application of the Higher Directive were given. Much of the information previously given verbally by representatives is now expected to be included in the biannual Newsletter. Sweden requested that they be accepted as full members.
Amendments to the constitution enabled Associate members to vote if they had been members in good standing for two years. T
he treasurers Statement of account was checked by two reps.
The WFOT delegate presented an update on the WFOT Congress and gave other general information.
London* 23. 4. 1994
Associations represented: A, B, CH, Dk, F, D, Gr, Irl, I, NI, P, Se, UK.
Representatives from Tjechia and Slovinia explained the profession in their countries. Relations with Eastern & Central Europe were considered.
HEART, an EU project was described.
Applications were received from Malta and Finland. Slovinia and Tjeckia have also expressed interest in joining.
It was agreed to make a proposal to ERASMUS for next year. A Strategic plan for the working year was initiated by the chairperson. Spain made a bid to host the next European Congress and France is considering the one in 2000.
Athens 8. 9. 1994
Associations represented: B, CH, CZ, Dk, F, D, Gr, Irl, I, L, NI, Nor, E, Se, Slov, UK.
A PR leaflet about COTEC is to be prepared.
The Literature List to be reviewed and updated.
A new section will be added to the CHART on OT's training.
Update reports on the work of Associations were made. Since the initiation of COTEC it is apparent from these reports of the great strides forward made in each Association. Job descriptions have been created. Good communications have been set up with government and other bodies and generally the profession is becoming recognised in its own right in many countries, prizes established for scientific works, classification of the OT's job to assist in pay negotiations and more students are being trained.
The following countries have now signed the Higher Education Directive - Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Finland.
According to survey eight governments require OT's to become Registered.
Proposal for the foundation of an educational network were pursued following a questionnaire circulated.
Members of the executive and the Greek Association had very productive meetings with representatives of the departments of Education and Health.
Confirmation that Spain will host the 1996 European OT Congress was made.
Stockholm* 19. 5. 1995
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, Fin, D, Gr, Irl I, L, NI, P, Se, and UK.
The Strategic Plan for 1995/6 was presented and debate followed about the relationship and links between COTEC and ENOTHE. A
Finish delegate was welcomed.
The EEC or EC will now be known as the EU. The word President of COTEC will replace the word Chairperson.
Aalborg, Denmark. 8.11. 1995
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, Fin, D, Gr, Irl, Ice, L, Nl, Nor, E, Se, Slav, and UK.
Plans for ENOTHE inauguration day were outlined and its Charter was discussed. It was inaugurated on 9. 11.1995 at the OT School in Aalborg and 40 OT Schools were represented.
A report from a recent WFOT Executive Meeting was presented. COTEC is to be accepted as a contributing member.
The revised constitution was signed by all representatives present.
Luxembourg* 3.5.1996
Associations represented: B, CH, Dk, F, Fin, D, Gr, I, Irl, L, NI, Nor, P, Slav, and UK.
The Danish alternative is to act as the link person between COTEC and ENOTHE. A working group was formed to discuss Registration.
An outline of how the Directive is being implemented in all the Member States was compiled and circulated.
A combined submission by COTEC and ENOTHE is to be made to the EU for SOCRATES funding.
Denmark continues to circulate the Newsletter.
Working groups were set up for the next meeting these include - Madrid Congress, Contributing membership, Code of Practice, Socrates Submission and New Issues to be considered by COTEC.
New Executive elected:- Chair NL, Vice-chair Irl, Secrtary UK and Treasurer L. to take up office at the next meeting.
Madrid 21. 9. 1996
Associations represented: A, B, CH, CZ, Dk, F, Fi, D, Gr, ld, l, Mal, NI, No, P, E, Se, Slov, and UK.
A one day COTEC meeting was held prior to 6th European Congress.
Many new Associations / reps. were welcomed to COTEC.
Report from the second ENOTHE meeting was submitted.
Constitutional amendments include the addition of Individual membership and Institutional Membership
A new revised edition of the Standards of Practice was presented and Associations were urged to translate it as on the former occasion. Three sub/working -groups were formed following the proposal at the last meeting. They will prepare discussion documents for meetings. Half day will be set aside for this purpose.
* These meetings were the Annual General Meetings. In future the first meeting of the the year will be the AGM.
The above was written by Maria McGuinn in 1996-7. She wished continued success to COTEC.
Estoril, Portugal 9/10.5.1997 - 26th Meeting
New COTEC Executive Officers were elected:
President - Maria McGuinn, Ireland
Vice President - Dirk de Vylder, Belgium
Treasurer - Jean Phillip Schmit, Luxembourg
Secretary - Maeve Groom, UK
It was agreed that the 1997 COTEC fees for member Associations would be based on 5.7 Luxembourg francs per practicing professional member.
A new framework for managing COTEC business in three focus groups was introduced and they dealt with: · Professional Profiles - special interest groups across EU
Exchange and Interlinking - website, COTEC leaflet, delegate manuals
Congress Committee - 1996 Madrid debrief, 2000 Paris planning
Translation of the Code of Ethics was completed by Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Greece.
Naples, Italy 10/11.10.1997 - 27th Meeting
Associazione Italiana di Terapia Occupazionale (AITO) was congratulated on having achieved government recognition of the profession in Italy at last. It was excellent that this news should come through as COTEC met in Naples.
Preparations for ERGO 2000 in Paris were discussed at length in the context of a new draft procedures document for the organisation of COTEC congresses.
The contents for the new COTEC Delegate Manual were agreed. This will act as a new delegate induction pack and a resource file for all.
It was decided not to register COTEC with official EU agencies in Brussels as yet.
A decision was taken to start work on reviewing the 1995 COTEC Constitution and an Advisory Group was established to consider requests for financial support from Associations who could not fund their delegates to attend meetings.
It was agreed that funding would be provided for one Executive Group Meeting per year due to the volume and complexity of COTEC business.
Promotional goods were agreed to highlight COTEC at the Montreal WFOT Congress in 1998.
Standards of Practice packs and accompanying disks were distributed in six languages. Concerns about new registration procedures in the UK for EU OTs were raised.
Gunner Gamborg of Denmark was elected as the first COTEC representative on the ENOTHE Board.
Paris, France 17/18.04.1998 - 28th Meeting
The International Classification of Disability and Handicap ICDH2 revision was discussed with its importance for occupational therapy in Europe and a communication network agreed for the Committee to progress this.
The new Constitution was agreed for delegates to seek ratification from their Associations.
Work on establishing a COTEC definition for the professional profile of a European occupational therapist, e.g., a standard job description, standards of practice, etc., was debated.
Plans for ERGO 2000 - Paris, the next COTEC Congress, were presented by France and approved.
A representative from the OT Association of the Czech Republic, Susana Dadakova, attended as an observer for the first time.
A decision to put together a Directory of Assoc Specialist Sections was taken.
COTEC and ENOTHE both set aside funds to support colleagues from eastern Europe to become involved with their work.
London, UK 9/10.10.1998 - 29th Meeting
The first day was hosted by the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM), the UK Regulatory Body for occupational therapists.
The Committee was given a presentation on the new registration process for OTs coming to work in the UK from Europe. This was organised in response to the concerns raised at a previous meeting.
Michael Tremblay, an expert on European affairs, also gave a presentation on 'Health and the European Institutions which could be valuable to COTEC' - the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, etc. He urged COTEC to access EU public health grants, network with MEPs and consider an office in Brussels where it could exert more influence.
It was reported that the new Executive Meeting was achieving its aim in progressing COTEC business more effectively.
The new EU Directive 93/42/EEC Medical Devices and the CE marking requirement for disability equipment was brought to the Committee's attention and debated.
The new Constitution 1998 was adopted and the 14 national member OT associations became 16 as a result, with Switzerland and Norway gaining full member status.
News of the two new OT education programmes in Spain was welcomed.
Information on numbers of OTs gaining PhDs was added as a new statistic to the COTEC Summary (Chart) for 1999.
Progress on ICIDH2 was reported by Claire Valentin of Belgium. It was agreed she should take a lead role for COTEC.
Vienna, Austria 7/8.05.1999 - 30th Meeting
Observers from Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic were particularly welcomed to the meeting by the President, Maria McGuinn. Poland and Croatia had also been in touch. Colleagues from eastern Europe had been encouraged to attend the meeting in Vienna and presentations on OT in their countries were received with great interest.
The Greek Association expressed an interest in hosting the COTEC Congress in 2004, Olympic year in Athens.
A proposal was received from Jan Robinson, Registrar of the Ontario Regulatory Body for OTs in Canada, to arrange a meeting of international regulators in parallel with the ERGO 2000 COTEC Congress in Paris to facilitate worldwide movement of OTs.
The World Health Organisation confirmed their $2000 US dollar sponsorship of ERGO 2000. It was agreed to invite two OTs from eastern Europe to give papers and to use the money to pay for them to attend.
ICIDH2 again featured on the agenda. It was agreed COTEC would produce a policy statement on ICIDH2 and OT in Europe. Luxembourg reported the profession there now bases its activity on this framework and Norway defines OT in these terms. The COTEC/ENOTHE link was formalised with agreement for a job description, election process and funding to be identified.
The Interlinking and Exchange Group presented each delegate with the new COTEC Manual for their Association.
It was announced by the Netherlands that the new European Masters Degree in OT would start in September 1999.
Spain confirmed that three new OT schools in Cadiz, Barcelona and Madrid would open in 2002.
It was agreed that the COTEC accounts should now be managed in euros at a fee of 0.1705 euros per practising member.
Brussels, Belgium 15/16/10.1999 - 31st Meeting
The final Directory of Special Interest Groups recognised by European OT Associations was received.
The increase in correspondence received by COTEC was noted as a measure of COTEC's growing importance, but it was agreed it would therefore no longer be possible to deal with it as a standing agenda item.
Video conferencing to facilitate COTEC communications was considered but not actively progressed; and useful websites were browsed.
Dr Pochmarski from the European Commission Internal Market Directorate dealing with the regulation of health professionals gave a presentation on Professional Recognition, Language Competency, Appeals and Information (EU website - http://citizens.eu.int
The final revised Constitution - September 1999 was signed off and placed on record. A focus group to amend the Standing Orders was set up.
Design of a new COTEC leaflet to be produced in English, German, Spanish and French was authorised.
A questionnaire to start work on the profiling of private practice OTs across Europe was initiated.
ICIDH2 - the motion that: 'COTEC recommends that each national Association:
Informs its members of the evolution of the ICIDH2 and the importance of the philosophy of this way of thinking of occupational therapists
Encourages its members to take part in the project field trial
Establishes contact with the collaborating centres to show the official interest of occupational therapists in the revision
Informs COTEC of Association members leading on ICIDH2
Use of COTEC as a network for exchange of information, ideas and experiences concerning ICIDH2
was passed by a majority vote.
It was reported that the ERGO 2000 Congress had received 370 abstract submissions in English, French, Spanish and German.
News of the first Italian OT education programme to start on 1st January 2000 in Rome was welcomed as a great achievement.
M. Andre Gubbels from the unit dealing with the 'Integration of Handicapped People' at the European Commission presented information on the European Disability Forum, user led and regarded as the umbrella organisation. EQUAL, an initiative seeking to achieve equal access to the labour market for all and the 5th Framework project research into:
Quality of life
Ageing and disability
Assistive devices
Technology for the disabled
Universal design
SOCRATES and LEONARDO programme funding available for OT education proposals.
¤2000 were committed to promotional materials.
The Hellenic Association of Ergotherapists' application to organise the 7th European Congress of OT Athens September 2004 was approved.
Amsterdam, Netherlands 14/15.04.2000 - 32nd Meeting
New executive officers were elected:
President - Maeve Groom, UK
Vice President - Dirk de Vylder, Belgium
Secretary - Cristina Labrador, Spain
A presentation on Re-registration and Continuing Professional Development in the Netherlands was given by Stephanie Saenger and Bea Van Bodegons OT.
Information gathering on the regional group structure of national associations was initiated. A proposal to lodge the COTEC document archive with the Wellcome Trust for the History of Medicine in Euston Road, London, was made.
ENOTHE now has 92 member OT education institutions.
OTs from Russia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Palestine, East Germany and other eastern European colleagues were to be supported by COTEC members to attend the ERGO 2000 Conference in Paris. All delegates were requested to provide photographs of OT in their country for the new President to use at the opening ceremony.
Paris, France 30.09.2000 - 33rd Meeting
The COTEC meeting took place after the successful conclusion of the ERGO 2000 Congress hosted by ANFE, the French Association.
It was agreed that the official papers of COTEC 1985-1995 should be deposited at the Wellcome Trust for the History of Medicine in London to form the archive.
The President had represented COTEC at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists meeting in Japan. The Czech Republic and Slovenia became Associate Members of WFOT from December 2000.
It was noted that more national OT Associations can now be welcomed into COTEC in step with the European enlargement programme.
A proposal to rename COTEC the Council of Occupational as opposed to the Committee was unanimously approved for ratification by member associations.
New Standing Orders were signed off.
ENOTHE launched three booklets in three languages.
This section has been kindly contributed by Beryl Steeden of the British Assocation of Occupational Therapists.
COTEC in the 21st century
The Swiss association of Occupational Therapists (EVA) kindly hosted the 34th Meeting of the Committee. Maeve Groom presented her first annual report as President of COTEC. She spoke about her warm reception at the WFOT council meeting in Sapporo, Japan in May 2000 and the desire for these two different OT organizations to work together. This meeting was concerned with developing a new management structure of WFOT.
The main event of the preceding year for COTEC was the very successful congress held in Paris in September. Maeve took the opportunity of thanking the French Association for all the hard work they had put into the organization of the congress. The congress was preceded by an education day organized by ENOTHE and a two day meeting of the International Regulators.
An important event took place at this meeting. The name of COTEC was changed by a large majority vote from Committee of Occupational Therapists for the European Communities to
Council of Occupational Therapists in the European Countries
This maintains the acronym and so the same logo can be used but gives the organization greater standing as a council and is more inclusive as not all member countries are members of the European Union (previously the European Communities).
The Council discussed changes to the working system to make the work more efficient. The experience of WFOT was very useful for this. Denmark brought up the matter of publication of the newsletter which they have been doing since 1986. Fewer and fewer countries are taking the opportunity of sharing their news with others, it was difficult to find out the reasons for this.
Helsinki, Finland 14th and 15th September 2001 35th Meeting
This meeting was overshadowed by the tragic event just days before in New York. A letter of condolence was sent to the Association of Occupational Therapists of America (AOTA).
Due to a change of delegate for Luxemburg it was necessary to elect a new treasurer. Frédérique Degand (Lux) was elected unanimously. Silvia Gonçalves (P) was elected new link person to ENOTHE. The Executive is now Maeve Groom, President, Karin Liabø Vice-President, Cristina Labrador Secretary and Frédérique Degand Treasurer.
COTEC has a new internet address www.cotec-europe.org and all the information has been transferred from the old address. Pip Higman became the new web master. It was agreed that the Summary of the Profession should be put on the website.
The result of the focus group discussion was that there would be increased publicity for COTEC and the profession. A new definition of occupational therapy was discussed.
The first meeting of 2002 was held in the association offices of the Swedish Association on one day following the WFOT Congress. There were 28 delegates present as many had been able to combine the meeting with attendance at the congress. As this was the first meeting of the year the President gave her annual report in which she detailed the work done by the Council in the preceding year.
The Council discussed the role of COTEC within the EU as all delegates felt that this is an important issue. There is a process of consultation on the Higher Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications and some countries have been asked to contribute. The present system is unwieldy.
Cyprus approached the executive during the WFOT congress and requested membership of COTEC. Latvia officially applied for membership of COTEC. The president agreed to make contact with a number of European bodies involved with rehabilitation and disability.
It was agreed that there would no longer be a Newsletter published on paper before each meeting. The news would be put on the website. In the future there will be a page for news from the individual countries which will be updated before each meeting. In this way the news can be kept up to date and it is open to anyone who is interested to read it on the website.
Santorini, Greece 25th and 26th October 2002 37th Meeting
As several countries had now applied for membership a procedure for this was agreed to. Cyprus was unanimously welcomed as a new member of the Council.
It was also agreed that COTEC should work according to the Lisbon Strategy which provides a reference for changes in the EU. Four of the seven points for change in the document on the Lisbon Strategy were selected by the Council as having the highest priority for OT. These topics are Information society for all (access to technology), Research and Innovation within the European network, Social inclusion and Work which includes education and training for a knowledgeable society and more and better jobs (for clients).
A flow diagram showing the structure of COTEC with the different focus groups and the close links with the national associations was tabled. It was agreed that national associations should be asked for their opinions on this.
Portoroz, Slovenia 28th and 29th March 2003 38th Meeting
Delegates from Hungary and Cyprus gave presentations about occupational therapy in their countries.
In her annual report Maeve gave a brief review of all the activities during her time as president as she no longer stood for election for a second term of office. It was decided that as the work of the Council has increased and delegates have duties and responsibilities to their associations the Presidency should be reconsidered. No president was elected and the position of treasurer remained open. A group of six delegates agreed to find an independent advisor and to make recommendations before the next meeting. This was a turning point in the history of COTEC as can be seen in the future. The Project group duly submitted a report in May 2003 and an independent advisormade recommendations for the next meeting.
Prague, Czech Republic 19th and 20th September 2003 39th Meeting
The Council decided that for the future the President should cease to be the delegate of her (or his) national association which will be requested to nominate a new delegate, but will become a neutral President and the expenses will be carried by the Council. Furthermore the secretary will be the Honorary Secretary and the BAOT will continue to provide the excellent secretarial service they have offered in the past. Maria Skouroliakos from Greece was elected President and Rick Telford from the UK was elected treasurer so that the Executive was complete with Karin Liabø from Norway as Vice-President and Cristina Labrador from Spain as Honorary Secretary.
COTEC agreed to develop a four year working plan which will initially be developed by the executive.
Cologne, Germany 5th and 6th March 2004 40th Meeting
The German association took the opportunity of using one hour of the meeting to make a presentation about the obligatory implementation of quality management in hospitals, health care units etc. This is not yet obligatory for OT but will become so in the near future so that it is important for OTs to prepare themselves. They key points are Structure quality, process quality and outcome quality.
The Action Plan was accepted by the Council and groups were formed to continue the work which has been ongoing over the years. It was agreed that delegates should remain in one group for the whole period of the Action Plan (four years) and should carry on the work, through the use of the internet and email to make work between meetings considerably easier.
Representatives from ENOTHE presented the Tuning Process which is starting for occupational therapy as the second profession after nursing. Tuning is a process within the Bologna Agreement on university education which should help to make university courses more compatible with one another and so enable easier recognition of qualifications. All subjects will eventually undergo this process and occupational therapy is very fortunate to be one of the first professions. This is possible because of the excellent Network ‘ENOTHE’. It was agreed that to ensure that the process will be useful for practice that ENOTHE and COTEC will work together on this project.
Athens, Greece 19th and 20th September 2004 41st Meeting and
7th European Congress
A two day meeting was held prior to the European Congress organized by the Greek Association of Occupational Therapists. The Council was very privileged to welcome the Mayor of Athens to the meeting. Other guests were Kit Sinclair and Marilyn Pattison from WFOT.
Hungary was welcomed as a new member of the council instead of the observer status they had had. A delegate from Serbia was also present and reported on OT in Serbia and applied for membership of the Council.
The Action Plan was seen in action for the first time. A number of changes were made to the Constitution and it was agreed to make similar changes to the Standing Orders to keep them in line with the changes. The terms of office for the Executive will be four years instead of three as in the past. The progress on Tuning was reported following a meeting held in Trondheim, Norway during the summer. This was then put into action during the ENOTHE meeting between the COTEC meeting and the Congress. The first discussion of ‘competencies’ both generic and specific was held in small workshops. The first joint board meeting of COTEC and ENOTHE took place in connection with Tuning and it was agreed that the two organizations would try to repeat this each year.
Following the COTEC meeting the Greek Association hosted the 7th European Congress which was organized to coincide with the paralymics which many delegates visited as well. Over 1000 delegates attended the congress from all European countries and some from other continents too including the President and Secretary of WFOT – Kit Sinclair and Marilyn Pattison. The papers and workshops presented covered all areas of occupational therapy and illustrated the diversity of the profession. New ideas were exchanged, old friends met together again and many contacts were established.
Vienna, Austria 1st and 2nd April 2005 42nd Meeting
In her annual report the President spoke about the start of both Tuning and the Action Plan but also her attendance at the WFOT Council meeting in Cape Town, South Africa and at the British OT Congress in 2004. She also attended the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Mental Health: Facing the Challenges, Building Solutions in Helsinki in January 2005. This was by invitation and as a result of the COTEC response to the European Green Paper on Mental Health in 2004. Maria made the following statement on occupational therapy and mental health.
“The Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries represents occupational therapists from 24 European countries. The history of occupational therapy is strongly linked to innovative moves of mental health services. The underlying history of occupational therapy is consistent with models on health which focus on client centered approach to helping individuals to become aware of their won power by a greater sense of personal control and a sense of well being which permit participation.
COTEC fully supports the implementation of the declaration and the action plan. We will be an enthusiastic and positive contributing partner to its implementation.
One point only, the monitoring mechanism should not only concentrate on the implementation and the development of the action plan but also on keeping an eye on the quality of the developing services. There is no gain in creating services which are poorly developed and understaffed.”
The work on Tuning continued and all delegates were involved in obtaining as many responses by OT practitioners to the internet questionnaire as possible. Members of the ENOTHE group ECOTROS (European Cooperation in OT Research and Occupational Science) attended the meeting and reported on the work they are doing. Work within the COTEC Action Plan continued well. It was decided that the EU group would arrange a guest speaker for the autumn meetings to give the Council more information on certain aspects of the EU and enable COTEC to work close with it. The changes to the Standing Orders were agreed to by the Council.
The position of Vice-President came up for election because the term of office came to an end; Pip Higman from Germany was elected to this position. The Executive met together with the ENOTHE board.
The Serbian Association was accepted as a member of COTEC.
Limassol, Cyprus 7th and 8th October 2005 43rd Meeting
The first guest speaker to talk to the Council on EU affairs was Hanneke van Bruggen, the director of ENOTHE, she spoke about EU funding. Karin Liabø reported about a conference on E-health. It seems that this is a growing area and COTEC will continue to investigate developments.
Heather Frizzell from Ireland was elected Honorary Secretary until the first meeting in 2010.
The Employment and Social Affairs Directorate General of the EU issued a Green Paper consultation on Demographic Change. COTEC appointed the British OT researcher Gail Mountain to respond to this. Some national associations responded as well.
Oslo, Norway 31st March and 1st April 2006 44th Meeting
COTEC celebrates 20 years since its founding. This is being celebrated in the different countries and associations in a variety of ways: Publications, presentations, birthday cakes and so on. There are reports and pictures elsewhere on this website.
In response to the President’s annual report COTEC set priorities for the future to be in line with the EU and WHO. Universal design, ageing and mental health were agreed on as priorities.
COTEC and several member associations responded to the EU Green Paper on Mental Health.
The work on Tuning and within the Action Plan continued.
Milan, Italy 3rd and 4th November 2006 45th Meeting
The Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus in Milan offered hospitality to COTEC for the meeting hosted by the Italian Association. The guest speaker was Kate Sheehan, an OT from the UK who spoke about ‘universal design’ and the role OT can play in designing.
The Executive met with the ENOTHE Board in the summer in Germany. Tuning has made further progress and is reaching completion. Other topics of discussion were the Congress in 2008 and a possible joint statement on education.
A delegate from Croatia made a presentation about OT in her country and Croatia was accepted as a member of COTEC.
London, UK 30th and 31st March 2007 46th Meeting
The Tuning group reported that the Tuning book is now being complied and publication is awaited. The validation meeting has been set for 22nd June in Brussels.
Vera Krähenbühl was elected treasurer, her term of office runs until the spring of 2011.
Work continued on the Action Plan which is now in its final year. It was agreed that a new Action Plan should be prepared for 2008 and can be presented at the congress in Hamburg. The delegates from Germany reported on the final planning for the congress and how the program will be complied.
Switzerland reported on the DACHS project which has been financed by the EU. It examined issues related to the growing unemployment situation in the collaborating German speaking countries and explored ways of preventing health deterioration.
The council agreed to provide more financial support for those associations that need it in 2008, partly because of the congress in Hamburg in May but also to encourage more countries to send delegates to the meetings.
The Serbian association welcomed COTEC to Belgrade. As guest speaker Liz Mestheneos from the ‘European older peoples Platform’ (AGE Platform) spoke about Active Ageing. She referred to the demographic changes facing Europe today. An OT guest from Bosnia Herzegovina reported to the Council about the situation of OT in her country. As yet there are so few OTs they do not have an association but they try to cooperate with the Serbian association.