The European Parliament has released a resolution (download, download german) on health concerns associated with electromagnetic fields (2008/2211(INI)), which might affect the Amateur Radio Service in the future. Please be aware!

Following the Torremolinos conference of 1990 it was decided that IARU Region 1 should adopt the concept of sub-regional working groups who deal with various challenges particular within Region 1.

EUROCOM is the specialist group tasked with maintaining contact with the European Union, especially the European Commission and European Parliament. Following an earlier exhibition in the Parliament building in 2007 an opportunity to exhibit and demonstrate Amateur Radio to the European administration arose. The purpose was to increase contact with members of the European parliament and their assistants and to give them an impression, what Amateur Radio is and how it does benefit society through our activities in Space, Education and Emergency Communications. By providing some background information and making initial contacts we should be able to contact them easier when the needs of amateur radio may be affected by European policy decisions. 

This week 26-30 April the IARU Region 1 EUROCOM working group organises an exhibition in the European Parliament. With the title European Amateur Radio Benefits Society the exhibition focuses on Emergency communications and Education & Space, with the aim to raise awareness amongst European politicians. The exhibition is sponsored by MEP Mrs Brigit Sippel and was opened by IARU Region 1 President PB2T. The opening was attended by the Euro Commissioner responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Dr Kristalina Georgieva together with many MEPS and their assistants.

The photo shows Panayot LZ1US, Claude ON7TK, MEP Mrs Brigit Sippel, Thilo DL9KCE, Dr Kristalina Georgieva and Hans PB2T.

More pictures available in the photo album.

Commissioner Georgieva mentions the exhibition in her blog at http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/georgieva/the-wave-heroes/

In a paper published by the World Health Organization (WHO), finally was summed up what experts knew for a long time. While scientists struggle hard with a negative proof of injurious effects done by electromagnetic fields, the mass media have clear answers. On the basis of undifferentiated examined isolated cases noxious effects of electromagnetic waves are being demonstrated. „Man should value their reports with care and take into consideration that the main interest of the media does not count for the objective clarification. “ judges the WHO further on [1]. Main focus is not their neutral report, but the production of a useful story with the competition around actuality and publication place. The mere fact that WHO addresses such effects speaks for the fact, that also social aspects, such as the influence of the masses must be considered, when talking about injurious effects.