EACME
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Early Career
  • Members
  • Structure
  • Contact
Login
  • BRINGING TOGETHER
    CENTRES OF MEDICAL ETHICS
    THROUGHOUT EUROPE
    SINCE 1986
  • JOIN THE LEADING
    ASSOCIATION FOR
    MEDICAL ETHICS
    TODAY
    CONTACT US

What is the EACME?

EACME, in full the European Association of Centres of Medical Ethics, was founded in the early 1980s by a small group of theologians, philosophers and medical doctors who were involved in the new discipline of medical ethics or, as it is now often called, bioethics. These so-called ‘founding fathers’, had the intention to create a network of centres of medical ethics in Europe with the purpose to strengthen the teaching, research, communication and debate on ethical issues in medical practice, health policy and medical sciences. The official starting date of EACME is the 2nd of December 1986 when representatives of six centres came together in Lyon to create this new organisation. The centres (including the Bulletin of Medical Ethics) were located in France (Lyon, Paris), Spain (Barcelona), Belgium (Brussels), the Netherlands (Maastricht) and the United Kingdom (London). The strong presence of clergymen on the original Board was the reason why the EACME has stressed from the start its pluralist approach to bioethical issues. The association expanded in the nineties, when bioethics centres in Europe were increasingly cooperating in research and teaching projects funded by the European Commission. This development was the background for the professionalisation of the young association, strengthened by an efficient organisation and administration under the guidance of the EACME Board and Bureau. New centres joined the organisation, from all over the European continent, stimulating and strengthening the pluralist character of EACME.

What the EACME does

Currently, about 60 centres are members of EACME, including associate members. The most important activity of EACME is the Annual Conference, organised by one of its members with support by the members of the Bureau. The conference presents an open platform for research contributions and debate about ethical issues in health care practices, policies, and biomedical sciences as well as new approaches in clinical ethics, research ethics and ethics teaching.

While in the early days EACME conferences were in general meetings for senior bioethicists, the current annual conferences of EACME are offering opportunities for both senior and junior researchers to present their work to a broad international audience. The EACME specifically encourages collaboration between its member centres and offers an Exchange Programme and Collaboration Prize. To conclude, EACME has developed from a relatively closed meeting space for pioneer bioethicists towards an open and vibrant community for senior and junior researchers with the aim to develop and strengthen the discipline of bioethics in the European context.

Reasons to join the EACME

  • You become part of a wide European network of research centres and institutions in the field of medical ethics
  • Opportunities for collaboration between member centres (e.g. exchange of scholars, joint publications, workshops or grant applications)
  • Possibilities to meet colleagues from other EACME member centers and to receive a 20% discount for EACME conference fees
  • Receive weekly Friday EACME News and a quarterly Newsletter
  • Possibility to become an EACME Board member and taking an active role in shaping the identity and future direction of EACME
  • Eligibility to apply for one of the three EACME prizes
    • Paul Schotsmans Prize (€500)
    • EACME Collaboration Prize (up to €1000)
    • Visiting Scholarship (€1000)

If you or your institution are interested in joining EACME please contact us or complete the EACME Application Form.

EACME

Maastricht University FHML
P.O. Box 616
6200 MD MAASTRICHT
The Netherlands

Tel: +31 43 3882145

Copyright © 2023 European Association of Centres of Medical Ethics

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Privacy PolicyCookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT