ENC Holds a Very Successful General Assembly Meeting in Tiranë

The latest General Assembly Meeting of the European Nursing Council has passed splendidly. ENC was graciously hosted on the 7th and 8th of July by our colleagues at Order of Nurses of Albania (UISH) in Tiranë. The two-day event was a great opportunity to catch up and network with professionals of different member states, to discuss the ongoing evolutions of nursing within the EU and the rest of the continent. The night before the meeting, representatives of member organisations experienced the renowned Albanian hospitality and cuisine, generously offered by the Albanian colleagues, in a lovely restaurant located in Tirana’s national park where local and national delicacies were on offer.

The following morning, the General Assembly met in the premises of the Marriott Hotel overlooking both the National Stadium and the Tirana Park where our previous was discussed and plans were made for the future. There, the Assembly voted and unanimously accepted our newest members the National Order of Nurses, representing the nurses of France who participated virtually. This most welcome addition to our family will undoubtedly strengthen our collective work and voice advocating for nurses and their tireless work in patient care.

After welcoming our new partners in France, discussion was had on the possibility of ENC publishing a working paper in preparation for the Third International Conference of Nursing Regulators to be held in Athens on the 9-10^th of October. The paper would be of immense importance in establishing ENC’s voice in the international arena and would augment ENC’s growing role in advocacy of the nursing profession both within Europe and beyond. Furthermore, our presence would go a long way in establishing crucial links with our partners and with the World Health Organization.

At the conclusion of this exceptionally successful Meeting, the Assembly was closed, and the participants were hosted to a mouth-watering lunch at Sofra e Ariut where, once again, we were treated to the finest Albanian dishes and delightful conversation.

ENC Secretariat in Brussels monitors all EU information relating to our profession and forwards it to the member organisations, along with a first analysis, via a monthly newsletter, the “News From Brussels”. Thus, Members come back to the Secretariat with feedback on issues of particularinterest to them, sometimes suggesting possibilities of common actions.

EU related issues of particular interest are discussed in the framework of ENC’s ad hoc Working Groups. An Executive Board, elected by all active ENC members, for a four years mandate, is coordinating all actions. It ensures contact with the Union’s institutions and Bodies and represents ENC in all relevant forums, assisted by the staff of the Secretariat composed of two to three political scientists and EU experts.

ENC, since 2004 is successfully maintaining close contacts with the European Commission’s Directorate Generals for Health, Research, Competition, Internal Market and Services. Furthermore, our organisation strives to develop strong friendships with several Members of the European Parliament interested in Nursing and Healthcare. At the same time, ENC is regularly consulted on issues related to the Liberal Professions more broadly due to its membership of the European Council of the Liberal Professions (CEPLIS).