18–23 January 2010

The WHO Executive Board adopted during its 126th Session resolution EB126.R11 where it recommends the World Health Assembly to endorse a sligthly amended draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol.

As regards the draft strategy, the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) states:

"GAPA believes that the Strategy’s Aims and Objectives, Guiding Principles, and Policy Options and Interventions are clear, balanced, and comprehensive. They express a vision that can begin to address global harm from alcohol. [...]. However, GAPA is disappointed by the weakness of the policy discussion concerning the marketing of alcoholic beverages. In particular, we note that the suggested policy interventions include co-regulation and industry self-regulation as “appropriate” parts of the strategy. Neither of these has an evidence base of effectiveness [...]. Find out more.

Place: Brussels
Date: 21 – 22 June 2010

This conference will be the fourth in a series of alcohol policy conferences (Warsaw 2004, Helsinki 2006, Barcelona 2008).

The scope and purpose of the conference is to promote and disseminate knowledge about current thinking on alcohol and alcohol policy matters, to build capacity and promote networking and coalition building between and within the European countries, and to provide the opportunity of profiling the ECs communication on alcohol, as well as relevant EC co-financed projects.

In addition, in May 2010 the WHA will have voted on the adoption of the Global Alcohol Strategy. Europe has a strong position and responsibility, being the world's leader on alcohol consumption and an important exporter of alcoholic beverages.

More detailed information can be found here.

Place: Maynooth, Ireland
Date: 24-27 August 2010

For centuries we have been confronted with "crisis" notions of maternal consumption throughout Europe. Recent treatments of alcohol and health have reiterated these feminized concerns. Without engaging in "problem deflation" we will interrogate how crises are imagined and sustained.

More detailed information can be found here.