Background Energy poverty is spreading throughout the European Union's Member States, with between 50 and 125 million European citizens at risk. Constantly rising energy costs suggest that the situation will get worse in the coming years. The lack of a Europe-wide definition, indicators and shared methodologies must not stand in the way of discussion and cooperation on urgent and lasting proposals at European level. The Third Energy Package, a European Parliament legislative initiative (put forward in 2007 and adopted in 2009) includes specific measures to protect vulnerable consumers. This issue was a major feature of the 2010 Belgian Presidency priorities, which focused mainly on (i) the need to work towards a common definition and data so as to evaluate the situation across Europe more accurately and (ii) exchanging best practice. The European Economic and Social Committee's July 2010 opinion (TEN/420) on Energy poverty in the context of liberalisation and the economic crisis reflected this approach. In the opinion, the EESC called for energy poverty to be seen as a social priority, to be tackled holistically (covering issues concerning income, housing, health etc.), and to be mainstreamed into all energy policies. Current developments in Europe have opened up new prospects for energy policies, thanks in particular to the climate and energy package, the Energy Roadmap 2050 and the Europe 2020 strategy. The European Economic and Social Committee has made a substantial contribution to the debate with its opinion on Involving civil society in the establishment of a future European Energy Community (TEN/459, January 2012). It advocates setting up a European energy community and ensuring universal access to energy, and recommends that the problem of energy poverty be tackled forthwith, by means of a "European energy solidarity pact" for instance. In the light of these factors, it is crucial to bring together all relevant stakeholders to thrash out proposals for sustainable and lasting solutions for people in Europe currently affected by or under threat of energy poverty.2012 Alzheimer's prize award ceremony Living with and despite Alzheimer's diseaseAt an official ceremony to be held at 12 noon, we will have the chance to reward innovative and effective initiatives which, as part of efforts to deal with Alzheimer's disease, seek to encourage elected representatives and professionals providing care at home or in care facilities to improve the quality of life of people with Alzheimer's  and their loved ones.Interpretation from/into English, French and Italian.