From 14 to 16 November, mutualists from all over the world met up in Brussels to celebrate 20 years of the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies. Created in 1950 and initially located in Geneva, the organisation moved its offices to Brussels in the late 1990s in order to be closer to the European institutions who were taking an increasing interest in health and social issues.
For 20 years, the AIM has been promoting the interests of the mutual benefit societies and their vision of solidary healthcare systems accessible to all to the institutions of the European Union. The Association has developed a sizeable network in Brussels and has a pool of European experts currently making it a key player in discussions on healthcare financing within the European Union.
The president of the European Economic and Social Committee, Luca Jahier, who hosted the meetings, reiterated that the mutual insurance companies were important playersin the European social system while the European Commissioner for Health, Vytenis Andriukaitis, affirmed: “That whether as regards prevention, digital health or access to healthcare, the involvement of the mutual insurance companies is fundamental. Together, we must ensure that the European Union makes healthcare and social welfare a priority. We need a solid and inclusive social programme that leaves no citizens behind.”
Away from the anniversary celebrations, the committees forAfrica, Latin-America and Europe regions met, and a conference on mental health took place. Further information can be found here.
The ESN was reunited with a number of its members and partners including the CMIM (Morocco), MAADO (Burkina Faso), MGEN Morocco and Gestarsalud (Colombia).
