It’s time for the last newsletter of the year, thank you for taking the time to read it.
During the year, we have strengthened our cooperation with other organisations and professional associations and also increased the opportunities for our Members to network and learn from each other. During 2025, representatives of our Member Associations have had the opportunity to meet each other in discussions at the virtual Coffee with COTEC events and this newsletter reports on the latest discussions.
As COTEC representative, I have signed three memorandums of understanding with our European partners this year. These formalise our joint commitment to promote the availability and visibility of occupational therapy services in Europe and to identify areas where joining forces and resources will strengthen our voice in advocacy.
In November, we worked to ensure that Occupational Therapy’s role in health promotion and public health is better recognised. COTEC represented and participated together with the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists at the European Public Health Conference EPH 2025 in Helsinki. As an exhibitor, we had the opportunity to discuss with a number of congress delegates and bring our core message on how meaningful occupations impact the health and well being of individuals to the attention of other public health professionals and researchers. We found many opportunities for collaboration and created new relationships both nationally and internationally. Elsewhere in this newsletter, you can read about our Memorandum of Understanding with EUPHA, the European Public Health Association, and find out how our social media challenge for meaningful practitioners was received.
We have also continued our collaboration in EU-organised networks and members of the Executive Committee have represented our profession at network meetings. You can also read about these in this newsletter.
Next year will mark the 40th Anniversary of the founding of COTEC. We will be celebrating this throughout the year and also marking the milestone on social media. Until then – I wish everyone a peaceful start to the New Year- May the festive season bring everyone rest and meaningful occupations in the right proportion!
Merry Christmas!
Anu Söderström
COTEC President