Who we are
The origins of the EMerging EULAR NETwork (EMEUNET) date back to 2009 following EULAR's core objectives at the time to "Bring on board high quality, young generation contributors in all EULAR activities".
This statement was seized upon as an opportunity to address educational needs and promote research interests of aspiring young academics through the creation and development of a Europe-wide network of young rheumatologists. Our mission was to form a EULAR working group of young clinicians and researchers in rheumatology, which would move forward education, mentoring and research in Europe, widening collaborations and integrating with EULAR activities. Following our first meeting at EULAR 2009, we sought approval for the EMEUNET venture at the EULAR Executive Committee meeting in September 2009: our proposal was well-received, and the go-ahead was given.
The Working Group is organized in subgroups, now called sub-committees, taking care of Education, Peer Mentoring, Newsletters, Social Media, Country Liaisons and Visibility & Global affairs. Information about opportunities and educational content are disseminated via our website, newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and from 2020, Podcasts, and through a well-structured system of Country Liaisons serving as a link between the Sub-Committee and EMEUNET members in EULAR countries.
Registered EMEUNET members have the opportunity to take part in our mentoring, educational and networking activities, and in EULAR activities such as task forces and committees. Also, members may apply each year to join the Sub-Committees, the core of our community, where we always ensure as broad a representation within EULAR countries as possible.
After a milestone of our 10th anniversary in 2019, we kept growing with even more activities and members. Today, EMEUNET is a large network of young rheumatologist and researchers in the field of rheumatology in Europe and beyond, with over 2500 members from all over the world. The perfect place to start new collegial friendships and collaborations.
The first half of 2020 started with a huge challenge, as many of our friends and colleagues found themselves on the front line of the battle against COVID-19. However, this experience made us stronger, as we found alternative ways to interact and we had an incredible response from our members, that allowed us to deliver most of our usual activities at the virtual EULAR congresses in 2020 and 2021, including peer mentoring activities , virtual business meeting and networking event, our first webinar and the second and third edition of the EMEUNET-EULAR Reporter initiative .
2020 has also marked an important achievement for EMEUNET, as the new EULAR Statute approved by the EULAR general assembly in June 2020 has paved the road to EMEUNET being officially recognized as a EULAR Committee within the new EULAR council since January 2021.
In 2022, we are finally able to connect face-to-face again together at the EULAR congress and organize many activities.
Everything we achieve is possible thanks to the contribution and commitment of our members, including our sub-committee (working group) members , committee team and country liaisons .
EMEUNET thrives on the support and enthusiasm of the young rheumatology community and we hope that many more will join our network. Equality and inclusion are extremely important values to EMEUNET. All of our members are valued and respected, and encouraged to “be themselves”. We recognise the importance of different backgrounds and experiences in creating this powerful and diverse community.
EMEUNET is open to young rheumatologists and researchers with an interest in rheumatology. It is expected that our members are below the age of 40 years when starting any EMEUNET activity.Our members include clinicians, basic scientists, epidemiologists, health professionals: everyone with an interest in Rheumatology is welcome! Registration is free and just requires a few steps on our website.
Do join us to have an active say in rheumatology education and research, get involved in EMEUNET and EULAR activities, and contribute to the improvement of education, research and clinical practice in rheumatology in Europe and beyond!