Invitation
	Dear friends and colleagues It is a great pleasure and honour to invite you to attend the 18th Alzheimer Europe Conference which will take place in Oslo from 22 to 25 May 2008.  Under the motto "Breaking barriers", this conference will bring together experts from across Europe to identify ways to provide a voice to people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and to improve their quality to life, as well as that of their carers. As Alzheimer associations, we have come a long way in raising awareness of the impact of the disease on those diagnosed and their families and in leading the fight against the stigma attached to this disease. This conference will constiute another important step in our campaign to break the barriers that people with dementia and their carers face.  Equally, we intend to break barriers by bringing together experts and delegates from different nationalities and different professionals backgrounds. What better way to learn than by a mutual exchange of information and experience?
	We are counting on the support and dedication of our Norwegian colleagues to make this a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience and I hope to see many of you in Oslo. Maurice O'Connell Chairperson Alzheimer Europe
Welcome to Oslo for the 18th  Alzheimer Europe Conference
	People with dementia face many barriers because the illness affects their ability to participate in society. We have chosen the title "Breaking barriers" because there is still a need to break through the taboos and myths about demenita.  The conference aims at improving the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with dementia. New and exciting research projects will be presented, as well as projects that demonstrate successful cooperation between public and private actors in the treatment and care of people with dementia. The keynote lectures at the conference are the foremost experts on dementia from Nordic countries, from other parts of Europe and from the USA. We invite you to send in abstracts on projects and experience
	Those who attend will meet people from all over Europe who share the same interest in contributing towards the better care of people with dementia and providing better support for their family cerers. The conference will present examples that show the different ways in which people can lead meaningful lives despite having dementia.  Sigurd Sparr Chairperson Norwegian Alzheimer Association, NHA Arnfinn Eek Executice Manager Norwegian Centre for Dementia Research