Background There are organisations of people with Arthritis/Rheumatism in many of the European countries. They are part of EULAR. Nevertheless their voice is hardly heard, neither on a national level, nor on the European level.

Therefore in March 2000 the EULAR Social League’s Standing Committee, Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and the International Organisation of Youth with Rheumatism (IOYR) agreed on a Manifesto of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism. It’s core is a catalogue of 10 Commandments, concerning Health care, Education and Awarness for rheumatic diseases.

This Manifesto has been launched at the EULAR congress in Nice, France, in June 2000.

Objectives The Manifesto is a plattform for people with arthritis: People gather to discuss ways to translate the Manifesto into action. They feel strenthened knowing, that they are part of a European network that also allows them to exchange experiences. Projects are kicked off by one or another Commandment.

Methods A secretariat has been established in Bonn in the office of Deutsche Rheuma-Liga to support the Chair Michael Bernady and to endorse all activities on a national level and bring forwards European activities.

Results The Manifesto helps people with Arthritis/Rheumatism all over Europe to make understand what their disease means for them and what are their needs. It gets high approval from everybody who is concerned with health care and enables us to have rheumatic diseases on the agenda.