INTRODUCTION
www.wcpt.org
www.enphe.org
The European Region of World Confederation for Physical Therapy was Founded Estoril (Portugal) in
September 1998 following the merger of the former Standing Liaison Committee of Physiotherapists in the
European Union (SLCP) established in 1979 and the World Confederation for Physical Therapy - Europe
(WCPT-E} established in 1990. Founding members were physiotherapy associations from 28 European
Countries.The European Region of WCPT is a non-profit non-governmental organisation of professional
associations of physiotherapists.The European Region WCPT represents 140.000 physiotherapists from 35
countries in Europe where the Physiotherapy profession is established and recognised.
PREAMBLE
The foundation of this new organisation was preceded by the dissolution of the former Standing Liaison
Committee of Physiotherapists of the European Union (SLCP) that was the voice of physiotherapists in the
European Union, and WCPT-Europe, that became the regional focus of the physiotherapy profession in
Europe following regionalisation policy of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT). The need
to coordinate the activities of the two former organisations in Europe, and the increasing number of
countries involved in all aspects at European level advised this unification.
> All member organisations of the European Region of WCPT must be a member organisation of WCPT.
> The Executive Committee may grant observer status to physiotherapy organisations within the European
Region that have been granted provisional status by WCPT.
> All organisations by physiotherapists in the European Region that have expressed interest in becoming
members of WCPT may be invited as observers, attendance will normally be limited to two General
Meetings.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee consists of elected delegates to each of the following posts:
Chairman
15< Vice Chairman
2nd Vice Chairman
Treasurer
Regionai member for
the WCPT Ex.Com.
Genera/ Secretory
Antonio LOPES (APF) Portugal
Sigrun KNUTSDOTTIR (FIS) Iceland
Carmen SERBESCU, Romania
Eckhardt BOEHLE (ZVK) Germany
Inger BR0NDSTED (DF) Denmark
Julia BOTTELEY
The EUROPEAN REGION of World Confederation for Physical Therapy:
Aims and objectives:
To promote development of physiotherapy, reciprocity of physiotherapy qualifications and
to imp: ^ve the quality of physiotherapy education and practice in Europe.
To promote physiotherapy in Europe and to observe all matters dealing with physiotherapy.
To pro' tote free movement and the right of establishment of physiotherapists in Europe.
To establish closer co-operation amongst the national physiotherapy associations of the
region in all professional matters in the interest of improved general health of the population
of the region.
To co-operate with international organisations in Europe to promote the EUROPEAN REGION
of WCPT aims and objectives
To represent the interests of and speak for its Member Organisations to all European
Authorities.
To develop policies for proposition to the Executive Committee and General Meeting of WCPT
To represent the profession of physiotherapy on regional basis in consultation with the
Executive Committee of WCPT
WORKING GROUPS OF THE EUROPEAN REGION OF WCPT
The Executive Committee has established Working Groups to fulfil certain
tasks or develop areas of specific interest. The Working Groups are:
• Education matters
• European Union matters
• Professional issues
The Working Groups are advisory groups to the Executive Committee and must work within the
responsibility of the Executive Committee.
ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN REGION
The aims and objectives shall be fulfilled by the following activities:
I Encourage international exchange of physiotherapy research, educational curricula anc
practice, the exchange of articles, journals, teachers and students and all other means. I Monitor
demand and supply of physiotherapists in the region and inform governments one
other appropriate bodies of over-consultation and under-supply in relation to demographw
needs in consultation and co-operation with the national Member Organisation I Identify and
publicise postgraduate physiotherapy programmes recognised by the membe
organisations and encourage international participation. ^ Establish working groups to survey
certain chosen areas of physiotherapy I Promote and develop educational and professional
congresses, seminars and conference
for the benefit of the physiotherapy profession.
I Maintain essential relations with constituent organisations and authorities I Examine all matters
concerned with the publication of EU Directives, regulations, project
and all other decisions or proposals which may affect physiotherapists and to inform ttn
competent authorities
Promote the physiotherapy profession and activities by public relations in all aspecti
Encourage the exchange of visits between members of associations, individually or in group;
Initiate other professional activities in the region.
Act upon recommendations of the Executive Committee of WCPT.
Contribute regularly to the Newsletter of WCPT and to encourage physiotherapists an
associations in Europe to do the same. k Report annually to the Executive Committee of WCPT on
the activities within Europe and th
finances of the EUROPEAN REGION of WCPT. > Consider and offer support to other regions of the
WCPT in achieving their aims an
objectives , through twinning programmes and other activities.
Alt other activities decided by the EUROPEAN REGION of WCPT Executive Committee an
General Meeting.
MEMBER ORGANISATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN REGION OF WCPT
LEBANON
AUSTRIA
Bundesverband der^Diplomierten
The Order of Physiotherapists iebanese
LIECHTENSTEIN
Physiotherapeuten
Osterreichs
BELGIUM
Physiotheropeulen Verband Furstentum
Association des Kinesitherapeutes de
Uechfens,
Belgique BULGARIA
LITHUANIA
Bulgarian Association of Kinesitherapists
iithuanian Physiotherapists Association
and Rehabilifaiors CROATIA
LUXEMBOURG
Croatian Association of Physiotherapists
Association Luxembourgeoise des
CYPRUS
Kinesitherapeutes Diplomes
MALTA
Cyprus Association of Physiotherapists
CZECH REP.
Malta Association of Physiotherapists
NETHERLANDS
Union of Physiotheiapisfs of the Czech
Republic
DENMARK
Danske
Koninklijk Nederlands Genoolschap
Fysioleropeuter ESTONIA
Voor Fysiotherapie
NORWAY
Estonian
Physiotherapy
Association FINLAND
Norweqian Physiotherapists Association
POLAND
Finnish Association of Physiotherapists
FRANCE
Polish Society of Physiotherapy
Federation
Francaise
des
Associacao Portuguese de Fisioteiapeufas
Masseurs
kinesitherapeutes
ROMANIA
Reeducateurs GERMANY
Romanian Federation for Physical Therapy
Deutscher Verband fur Physiotherapie
SLOVENIA
GREECE
Drustvo Fizioterapevtov Slovenije
Panhellenic
Physical
Therapy
SPAIN
Association HUNGARY
Asociacion Espanoia de Fisioterapeutas
Association
of
Hunqarian
SWEDEN
Physiotherapists ICELAND
Legitimerode Sjukgymnaster Riksforbund
Feiog Islenskra Sjukralfara
IRELAND
Irish
Society
of
Chartered
Physiotherapists ISRAEL
/sroe//' Association of Physiotherapists
ITALY
Assooozfone Itaiiana Fisioterapisfi LATVIA
iafv'ian Physiotherapists Association ^^^^
^,CAL^
Switzerland
Schweizerischer
physiofhei'opeufen Verband
TURKEY
Turkish Physical Therapy Organisation
UNITED KINGDOM
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
YUGOSLAVIA
Association of Physiotherapists and
Occupational Therapy of
yugoslavia