A Message from our new President
Dear Members, Parents, Partners & Friends,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share my first message with you as the newly elected President of the European Parents’ Association.
The recent 40th Anniversary International Conference and General Assembly in Brussels were truly inspiring events, marking a significant milestone in our collective journey.
Witnessing so many of you gathered, reflecting on four decades of dedicated parent representation and actively shaping the future of education and family policy across Europe, was a powerful experience. The energy, commitment, and passion you bring to advocating for parents and children are the very essence of what makes EPA such a vital and impactful organization.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our previous President, Victor Petuya, for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication. We are thrilled that Victor will continue to contribute to our mission as an EPA Ambassador. I also warmly welcome the National Federation of Romanian Parents – Edupart (FNPE) as our newest full member. Your presence strengthens our diverse network and enhances our collective voice.
Our 40th Anniversary Conference, “Celebrating 40 Years of Advocacy: Shaping our Common Future,” was a resounding success, and I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) for their generous hosting and invaluable partnership. Their support was instrumental in creating such a memorable and impactful event.
Our deepest appreciation goes to every single one of our speakers for making this event so enriching. A huge thank you, in particular, to Gwang-Chol Chang from UNESCO for providing such a memorable and inspiring keynote speech!
We are also deeply grateful to our esteemed sponsors, Santillana, Concept Hotel Management, GEME and Lost in Translation?, whose contributions were essential in bringing our vision to life. A special thank you also goes to our many partners and networks on the EU stage who joined us, enriching the discussions and strengthening our collective voice.
As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism for the opportunities that lie before us. Building on the strong foundations laid, we will continue to champion the crucial role of parents, advocate for their voices at every level, and foster a Europe where families and children thrive.
On behalf of the entire EPA Board, I wish you all a wonderful summer holiday, filled with joy, relaxation, and precious moments with your families. We look forward to a rich autumn of continued collaboration and advocacy. Mark your calendars for our next General Assembly in Bratislava, Slovakia, from October 17-19 (preceded by the World Youth Art & Folklore Days in Bratislava on October 16!). Our Slovakian member, SRRZ, has done everything to organize an outstanding and very special program for us, and we can’t wait to see you there!
With warm regards,
Elena Odysseos
President, European Parents’ Association