About us - BAOP

The Belgian Academy of Paediatrics

The Belgian Academy of Paediatrics exists to represent and promote the interests of the child, based on the Convention of the Rights of the Child and therefore, in close cooperation with all child-centred organisations, we aim to inform and influence the political arena to advocate for children and youngsters.

The Belgian Academy of Paediatrics exists to represent and promote the interests of the paediatrician. Therefore, as an umbrella of all regional and Belgian scientific and professional paediatric organisations as well as all universities, we aim to improve standards in training, service and research and to represent the professional interests of paediatricians in Belgium as well as in
Europe.

Who we are

The General Assembly of the Belgian Academy of Paediatrics consists of 25 voting members ( 5 of each regional/national paediatric society and 5 representatives of the 7 Belgian universities (Head of Paediatric services))The Board of the Belgian Academy of Paediatrics consists of 10 voting members (2 of each paediatric society and 2 University representatives)

The meetings are enriched by the presence of all other (non-voting) University Head of paediatric departments as well as many other experts in paediatric health care (child psychiatrists, child nurses, …)

Current representatives of the Board and General Assembly

History

In 1999, the financial situation of paediatrics was extremely worrying and a large number of services were threatened with closure. A core group of leaders from the different associations (BVK/SBP, GBPF, VVK and professional associations) decided to unite in order to defend the place of the child and paediatrics in the political and medical world and to guarantee its place in society.

Through perseverance, demonstrations, strikes and lobbying, paediatricians were able to obtain considerable refinancing, mainly for hospital activities.

The Academy aims to represent the interests of the child inside and outside the health care system, as well as the role of the paediatrician.

The alternation of the presidency of the Academy at the linguistic level as well as at the academic and non-academic level was chosen from the beginning; it is an example of efficient functioning of an association and a guarantee for sustainability.

From the very beginning, the founders intended to bring the different paediatric groups together by creating a common contribution.

Key figures

Michel Pletincx President 1999-2002 and 2014-2016
Paul Casaer♰ President 2002-2004
Gaston Verellen President 2004-2006
Dino Barillari President 2006-2008
Philippe Alliet President 2008-2010
Georges Casimir President 2010-2012 and 2018-2020
Dirk Mathijs♰ President 2012-2014
Yvan Vandenplas President 2016-2018
Ann De Guchtenaere President 2020-2024

Dino Barillari

Since 2001, paediatrics and paediatricians had been in a deep crisis characterised by the undervaluation of the speciality, even leading to the questioning of paediatrics and the flight of many paediatricians to foreign countries, industry or purely ambulatory practices; Both the strikes of paediatricians in 2004 and 2006, as well as the start-up of the College of Paediatrics, the various studies done (e.g. 2006 study A De Wever on 4 items measures for revaluation of paediatrics, demography of paediatricians and recognition of subspecialties) put the revaluation of paediatrics firmly on track.

Georges Casimir

”New statutes have transformed the Belgian Academy of Paediatrics into an ASBL; they were approved by the GA in May 2010. I think that what has been the most important for me is the friendship between the pediatricians who work together at the Academy for the good of the youngest and the patients, the defense of the rights of the children through our work, and the collegiality of our meetings.”

Philippe Alliet

“All together for the well-being of children and adolescents”

Our mission

We want to speak with one voice to the government, to the media, to all people who care for children.

We want to achieve this by basing this voice on scientific evidence as well as on the expert-opinions (children, parents and professionals).

We value integrity, justice and equality.

Cornerstones

Continuous improvement: striving for continuous improvement of care for children
Good relationships: maintaining and enhancing good relationships between paediatricians, other health-care workers and organisations, policymakers, parents, children, adolescents and young adults
Transparent information: Transparent information to the (paediatric) community through high performance project operation and communication