Following a 9-year period, the Panhellenic Association of Ergotherapists organised the 8th National Congress in Athens, Greece. COTEC President, Anu Söderström attended as an invited Keynote speaker. 

The COTEC Representative of the Panhellenic association, Theo Bogeas describes the keynote: “During her inspiring presentation, COTEC President highlighted the importance of practice innovation to meet the needs of OT service users and profession’s development in the current European context. Furthermore, COTEC President pointed to the core values and professional standards, derived from the European and International Standards of Rehabilitation & Social Justice, as well as the means that Occupational Therapists can use to achieve their implementation in practice, by presenting some clinical practice examples.”

The Congress was successful with nearly 800 participants. It provided an excellent opportunity to learn about current practice in Greece and meet occupational colleagues and students. During coffee breaks the congress attendees took the opportunity to meet Ms Söderström – international networking, European practice examples and the work of COTEC seemed to interest Greek colleagues and ideas for joint collaboration were shared. 

During her visit in Athens Anu Söderström also had the opportunity to visit SolidarityNow center, an excellent practice example of the cooperation between civil society and public institutions.

(written by Theo Bogeas and Anu Söderström)