About

About

COTEC was established in 1986 with the purpose of coordinating the views of the National Associations of Occupational Therapy in Europe. The aim of COTEC is to enable National Associations of Occupational Therapists to work together to develop, harmonise and improve standards of professional practice and advance the theory of Occupational Therapy throughout Europe to best address the social and health issues affecting European citizens. COTEC strives to make Occupational Therapy visible, valued, accessible and available for all European citizens by supporting its members and by collaborating on a European level.

COTEC is the European organization for all Occupational Therapists through their National Associations, with the purpose of ensuring an adequate number of high-quality occupational therapy practitioners and services in Europe.

COTEC is a non-profit organisation (NGO) and represents 33 European Occupational Therapy Associations and more than 205,000 Occupational Therapists. COTEC is a regional group of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Since 2014 COTEC is registered in the European Transparency register, facilitating an open decision-making process in Europe.

These are the values that we embody and that govern our work and vision

Connection

Creating meaningful connections and collaborations with member associations, other relevant European and international organisations

Empowerment

Empowering our member associations and the practice of Occupational Therapy based on contemporary knowledge and research

Influence

Promoting measurable and significant impact for Occupational Therapy in Europe and COTEC

Inspiration

Inspiring a wealth of future possibilities for Occupational Therapy

Sustainable
Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive
Profession Centred

Executive Committee

Anu Söderström 

President

I have been involved in COTEC since 2000 – first as the appointed COTEC Delegate of the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists 2000-2010 and Programme Area Coordinator of the Organizational Issues 2004-2008. I have held different positions in COTEC Executive Committee years 2008-2012 and 2013-2019 before my election as the President in October 2019.

With over 20 years of experience working as an OT in Finland, I am committed to leading the work of COTEC with the aim to make the profession better known and valued in Europe. COTEC is the voice of Occupational Therapists in Europe and provides a good network for practitioners and provides many opportunities to be involved in European projects and events relevant to the profession.  I would like to encourage our Member associations and individual OTs to actively take advantage of the information and opportunities provided.

Yara Peterko

Vice President

I have been involved in COTEC since 2000 – first as the appointed COTEC Delegate of the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists 2000-2010 and Programme Area Coordinator of the Organizational Issues 2004-2008. I have held different positions in COTEC Executive Committee years 2008-2012 and 2013-2019 before my election as the President in October 2019.

With over 20 years of experience working as an OT in Finland, I am committed to leading the work of COTEC with the aim to make the profession better known and valued in Europe. COTEC is the voice of Occupational Therapists in Europe and provides a good network for practitioners and provides many opportunities to be involved in European projects and events relevant to the profession.  I would like to encourage our Member associations and individual OTs to actively take advantage of the information and opportunities provided.

Lisa Wetzlmair 

Vice President Finance

I have been involved in COTEC since 2000 – first as the appointed COTEC Delegate of the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists 2000-2010 and Programme Area Coordinator of the Organizational Issues 2004-2008. I have held different positions in COTEC Executive Committee years 2008-2012 and 2013-2019 before my election as the President in October 2019.

With over 20 years of experience working as an OT in Finland, I am committed to leading the work of COTEC with the aim to make the profession better known and valued in Europe. COTEC is the voice of Occupational Therapists in Europe and provides a good network for practitioners and provides many opportunities to be involved in European projects and events relevant to the profession.  I would like to encourage our Member associations and individual OTs to actively take advantage of the information and opportunities provided.

Ann-Marie Morrissey

Vice President Administration

I have been involved in COTEC since 2000 – first as the appointed COTEC Delegate of the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists 2000-2010 and Programme Area Coordinator of the Organizational Issues 2004-2008. I have held different positions in COTEC Executive Committee years 2008-2012 and 2013-2019 before my election as the President in October 2019.

With over 20 years of experience working as an OT in Finland, I am committed to leading the work of COTEC with the aim to make the profession better known and valued in Europe. COTEC is the voice of Occupational Therapists in Europe and provides a good network for practitioners and provides many opportunities to be involved in European projects and events relevant to the profession.  I would like to encourage our Member associations and individual OTs to actively take advantage of the information and opportunities provided.

Sarah Kufner

Executive Committee Member

I have been involved in COTEC since 2000 – first as the appointed COTEC Delegate of the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists 2000-2010 and Programme Area Coordinator of the Organizational Issues 2004-2008. I have held different positions in COTEC Executive Committee years 2008-2012 and 2013-2019 before my election as the President in October 2019.

With over 20 years of experience working as an OT in Finland, I am committed to leading the work of COTEC with the aim to make the profession better known and valued in Europe. COTEC is the voice of Occupational Therapists in Europe and provides a good network for practitioners and provides many opportunities to be involved in European projects and events relevant to the profession.  I would like to encourage our Member associations and individual OTs to actively take advantage of the information and opportunities provided.

Anneliis Aavik 

Executive Committee Member

I have been involved in COTEC since 2000 – first as the appointed COTEC Delegate of the Finnish Association of Occupational Therapists 2000-2010 and Programme Area Coordinator of the Organizational Issues 2004-2008. I have held different positions in COTEC Executive Committee years 2008-2012 and 2013-2019 before my election as the President in October 2019.

With over 20 years of experience working as an OT in Finland, I am committed to leading the work of COTEC with the aim to make the profession better known and valued in Europe. COTEC is the voice of Occupational Therapists in Europe and provides a good network for practitioners and provides many opportunities to be involved in European projects and events relevant to the profession.  I would like to encourage our Member associations and individual OTs to actively take advantage of the information and opportunities provided.

DISCOVER ALLIANCES

COTEC History

COTEC was established in 1986 to co-ordinate the views of the National Associations of Occupational Therapy of the then Member States of the European Communities. The European Council in Brussels agreed in 1983 that “mutual recognition for diplomas was an important step in creating satisfactory conditions for the exercise of a number of professions” including occupational therapists.

1986

COTEC was established in 1986 to co-ordinate the views of the National Associations of Occupational Therapy of the then Member States of the European Communities. The European Council in Brussels agreed in 1983 that “mutual recognition for diplomas was an important step in creating satisfactory conditions for the exercise of a number of professions” including occupational therapists.

1987

In 1987 it was decided to change the name in Committee of Occupational Therapists for the European Communities, COTEC, in 2000 to be changed in Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries.

1988

In 1988 the first European Congress was held in Portugal and in 1989 the first COTEC newsletter was published.

1992

In 1992 it was decided to rename the CHART to the Summary of Professions.

1995

In 1995 the need of harmonizing and developing OT in higher education resulted in the initiative of founding ENOTHE (European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education) within the framework of the European Union with financial support from ERASMUS. Debate followed about the relationship and links between COTEC and ENOTHE. COTEC was accepted as contributing member of WFOT.

2011

In 2011 COTEC was registered as a legal form of an association NGO under German law and entered in the German register of associations.

2015

In 2015 the logo of COTEC was changed.

2016

In 2016 the first joint COTEC ENOTHE Congress was held in Galway, Ireland with the Theme Connecting Education, Practice, Research & Policy.

2020

In 2020 the second joint COTEC ENOTHE Congress to be held in Prague, Czech Republic with the Theme Occupational Therapy Europe – Building resilience in individuals, communities and countries was postponed to 2021.

2021

In 2021 the second COTEC-ENOTHE Congress was held online and the 35th Anniversary of COTEC was celebrated.

Membership Benefits

COTEC provides representation for occupational therapists at the European level, ensuring members stay informed on relevant policies, standards, and legislation. It offers opportunities to engage in EU consultations, participate in EU-driven projects, and present at European events. COTEC also facilitates networking with professionals from 33 European OT National Associations, fostering collaboration on guidance documents and promoting achievements through its platforms. Additionally, COTEC encourages cross-cultural experiences and supports a broader perspective on professional practice within the European OT community.

VIEW BENEFITS