General Assembly
Minutes
Date: Monday, 6 July 2026
Time: 17:00 CEST
Venue: Zoom
1. Opening of the meeting
The Ordinary General Assembly of Aniridia Europe was opened at 17:00 CEST by Barbara Poli, President of Aniridia Europe.
Barbara Poli welcomed the representatives of the member associations, the members of the outgoing Board of Directors and the members of the Nominating Committee. She thanked everyone for their continued commitment to the Federation and their contribution to advancing its mission.
She reminded participants that the General Assembly would be conducted in accordance with the Statutes of Aniridia Europe and the applicable Norwegian legislation, and explained the voting procedure.
Barbara Poli then formally declared the Ordinary General Assembly open.
There were the following 24 participants:
| Name | Country |
|---|---|
| Ognian Petkov | Bulgaria |
| Elena Tsoneva | Bulgaria |
| Alexandra Sarpakis | France |
| Sébastien Montahuc | France |
| Corinna Patzak | Germany |
| Denice Toews | Germany |
| Corrado Teofili | Italy |
| Barbara Poli | Italy |
| Irma Byle | Lithuania |
| Effie Papadopoulou | The Netherlands |
| Sølvi Ørstenvik | Norway |
| Tord Håkonsen | Norway |
| Elin Helen Andreassen | Norway |
| Bogdan Simerea | Romania |
| Oana Simerea | Romania |
| Dmitriy Brunkovsky | Russia |
| Galina Gening | Russia |
| Rosa Sánchez de Vega | Spain |
| Neven Milivojevic | Sweden |
| Ivana Kildsgaard | Sweden |
| Mykhailo Medyk | Ukraine |
| Andrew Baghurst | United Kingdom |
| Katie Atkinson | United Kingdom |
| James Buller | United Kingdom |
2. Approval of the summoning to the General Assembly
The summoning to the General Assembly was approved unanimously.
3. Constitution of the meeting
The General Assembly elected:
a) Chairperson: Neven Milivojevic
b) Secretary: Elena Tsoneva
c) Persons to check and sign the minutes: Katie Atkinson and Oana Simerea
d) Tellers: Ivana Kildsgaard and Denice Toews
All appointments were approved unanimously.
4. Establishment of the electoral register
The Secretary presented the Electoral Register. Twelve full member Associations were represented and entitled to vote. The President informed the Assembly that the Ukrainian member association had been granted an exemption from the membership fee due to the current situation of the country and therefore retained its voting rights. Representatives from Finland and Denmark were absent.
The Electoral Register was approved.
| Country | Voting Representative |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | Ognian Petkov |
| France | Alexandra Sapiakis |
| Germany | Corinna Patzak |
| Italy | Corrado Teofili |
| Lithuania | Irma Byle |
| Norway | Elin Helen Andreassen |
| Romania | Bogdan Simerea |
| Russia | Dmitriy Brunkovsky |
| Spain | Rosa Sánchez de Vega |
| Sweden | Neven Milivojevic |
| Ukraine | Mykhailo Medyk |
| United Kingdom | Andrew Baghurst |
5. Approval of the Agenda
The agenda previously circulated to all members was presented. No amendments were proposed. The agenda was approved unanimously.
6. Approval of the Activity Report 2024–2026, of the Financial Report 2024–2025 and presentation of the Auditor’s reports
Barbara Poli presented the Activity Report for 2024–2026, highlighting the publication of the European Consensus on Clinical Management of Aniridia, participation in the RESTORE VISION project, advocacy activities, educational initiatives, the European Aniridia Leadership and Collaboration Academy (EALCA) and the successful organisation of the 8th European Aniridia Conference. Tord Håkonsen presented the Financial Reports for 2024 and 2025. The Auditor’s Report and recommendations were presented.
• Activity Report 2024–2026 approved.
• Financial Reports for 2024 and 2025 approved.
• Auditor’s Report accepted.
7. Decision about granted discharge for the outgoing Board of Directors
The Chairperson invited the Assembly to consider granting discharge to the outgoing Board.
The outgoing Board of Directors was granted discharge for the period 2024–2026.
8. Proposals from the former Board of Directors
The Board proposed awarding the Honorary Membership to Arvid Meløy and Barbara Poli in recognition of their outstanding and long-standing contributions to Aniridia Europe and the international aniridia community.
The General Assembly unanimously approved the appointment of Arvid Meløy and Barbara Poli as Honorary Members of Aniridia Europe.
9. Decision about the amount of the membership fee
The Board proposed maintaining the current annual membership fee.
During the discussion, the Assembly agreed that the current membership fee remains affordable for member associations. It was also noted that member associations wishing to make a voluntary contribution above the annual membership fee are welcome to do so.
The General Assembly resolved to maintain the annual membership fee at €30 for 2027 and 2028.
10. Approval of the activities and budget for 2026–2028
Barbara Poli presented the proposed Action Plan and Budget for 2026–2028, outlining the Federation’s main strategic priorities for the coming mandate. These include strengthening the European aniridia network, supporting member organisations, promoting advocacy and awareness, encouraging research and improving patient care, developing leadership through the European Aniridia Leadership and Collaboration Academy (EALCA), and increasing collaboration with healthcare professionals and researchers.
The General Assembly unanimously approved the Action Plan and Budget for 2026–2028.
11. Decision about the number of members of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of nine members.
12. Election of the President of the Federation
Barbara Poli was elected President of the Federation
13. Election of the Vice-President of the Federation
Denice Toews was elected Vice-President of the Federation.
14. Election of the Treasurer of the Federation
Tord Häkonsen was elected treasurer of the Federation.
15. Election of the Secretary of the Federation
Elena Tsoneva was elected Secretary of the federation.
16. Election of possible other members of the Board of Directors
Katie Atkinson, Galina Gening, Ivana Kilsgaard, Alexandra Sarpakis and Oana Simerea were elected members of the Board of Directors.
17. Election of the Nominating Committee
The General Assembly elected as members of the Nominating Committee:
James Buller (Chair) – United Kingdom
Corrado Teofili – Italy
Asbjørn Akerlie – Norway
Sunniva Ørstenvik – Norway
18. Election of an Auditor
Elin Helen Andreassen was elected Auditor for the 2026–2028 term.
19. Closing of the meeting
Before the meeting closed, Alexandra Sarpakis, speaking as the newly elected Board member, thanked the General Assembly for the confidence placed in her and expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to Aniridia Europe’s future work. She stated that she looked forward to working collaboratively with the Board and member organisations to further strengthen the Federation.
Following her appointment as a Honorary Member, Barbara Poli expressed her sincere gratitude to the General Assembly for the recognition. She thanked the outgoing Board members, volunteers, and member organisations for their dedication and commitment throughout the previous mandate. She encouraged the newly elected Board to build on the Federation’s achievements, continue questioning existing practices, embrace new ideas, and work together to further strengthen Aniridia Europe for the benefit of people living with Aniridia and WAGR syndrome.
The Chairperson thanked all participants for their constructive contributions and declared the General Assembly closed at 18:10 CEST.
Summary of Decisions
| Decision | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Activity Report 2024–2026 | Approved |
| Financial Reports 2024–2025 | Approved |
| Auditor’s Report | Accepted |
| Discharge of the Board | Granted |
| Honorary Memberships | Arvid Meløy and Barbara Poli |
| Membership Fee | €30 (2027–2028) |
| Activities and Budget | Approved |
| Board of Directors | Elected |
| Nominating Committee | Elected |
| Auditor | Elin Helen Andreassen |
Signed by:
Neven Milivojevic, Chairperson of the meeting
Elena Tsoneva, Secretary of the meeting
Katie Atkinson and Oana Simerea, elected to check and sign the minutes