European Public Health Alliance
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2011) |
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| Abbreviation | EPHA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1992 |
| Headquarters | RRue de Trèves 49-51, 10, 1040 Brussels, Belgium |
Official language | English |
Secretary General | Dr. Milka Sokolovic[1] |
President | Jean-Paul Zerbib |
| Website | www |
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is a European non-profit association registered and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Its membership consists of 89 non-profit organisations active in public health in 21 European countries.
EPHA's stated mission is to: "bring together the public health community to provide thought leadership and facilitate change, to build public health capacity to deliver equitable solutions to European public health challenges, to improve health and reduce health inequalities". EPHA stated aim is to "collate the perspectives from [sic] the many sectors its members represent and contributes them to European policy dialogues".
EPHA claim to be the largest civil society platform of organisations working together to protect and improve public health in Europe.[2]
Structure[edit]
EPHA is an international non-profit organisation (NL: IVZW, FR: AISBL) under Belgian law. Its statutes are approved by its General Assembly, composed of representatives of its members.
A board of trustees sets out the organisation's annual work programme, priorities and targets, and reviews the financial management of the EPHA. The EPHA Board is composed of 7 representatives elected by members of the EPHA for a 2-year mandate. As of April 2024, Jean-Paul Zerbib is the President of the board. [1][2]
History[edit]
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) organisation was established in 1993 after the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 which for the first time gave the European Community responsibilities in health protection. The European Community Amsterdam Treaty Article 152 extended EU competence to promoting health of European citizens, in addition to protecting it as in Article 129 of the Maastricht Treaty.[citation needed]
Controversy[edit]
In February 2024 complaints of nepotism, toxic work culture and organisational mismanagement were made public. A subsequent investigation was launched through an external legal firm. Among other issues, the investigation focused on the decision of Director General Milka Sokolović to hire her husband, Aleksandar Sokolović, as a director within the organisation.[3]
At the end of March 2024, when the investigation was due to conclude, it was announced that the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and an additional Board Member would resign from their positions. This left just three board members still in office.[4] Additionally, one of the organisation's Directors announced their resignation due to the controversy and a “lack of confidence” in the external investigation.[5]
The organisation was described by Politico as "the most chaotic NGO in town".[5]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "People". EPHA. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ a b "About Us". EPHA. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Wheaton, Sarah (29 February 2024). "What Uber could teach Amazon's banned lobbyists". POLITICO. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Wheaton, Sarah (28 March 2024). "Von der Leyen and the dark horse lobby". POLITICO. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ a b Eccles, Mari (4 April 2024). "The most chaotic NGO in town". POLITICO. Retrieved 4 April 2024.