The JANE Project celebrates its second Policy Dialogue
The meeting, organised by Biosistemak in an online format, served to discuss and explore the future and the challenges to be faced by cancer knowledge networks.
The Second Policy Dialogue of the JANE Joint Action took place on 27 June 2024. This event brought together more than 50 participants from several European Member States, including nine members of the project’s Policy Board to further explore strategies to ensure the sustainability of Knowledge Networks (NoEs) in the European cancer ecosystem, as well as discuss funding or involvement of stakeholders and policymakers. The European Knowledge Network on Cancers and Cancer Conditions JANE also aimed to start discussions on the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) in the different Member States.
The session, coordinated by Biosistemak Institute researchers and framed as a task of the sustainability work package, included presentations by experts such as Markus Kalliola, Coordinator of the TEHDAS Joint Action, and Suzy Lessof and Yulia Litvinova, representatives of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies ( OBS).
Collaboration between Member States: Towards Common Standards
During the meeting, JANE coordinator Paolo Casali presented progress towards the next Joint Action, JANE2, which is expected to establish seven Knowledge Networks focused on current challenges in cancer care. Casali emphasised the need for these networks to be sustainable beyond the project funding period and pointed out the importance of identifying potential risks in order not to duplicate the work of the new knowledge networks. In addition, the legal challenges that could arise in the exchange of health data and information were discussed.
Markus Kalliola’s presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the EHDS framework and its implications for health data interoperability in Europe. He stressed the importance of harmonising data standards across the continent and compliance with the EHDS regulation, which will be implemented by 2030. During the ensuing debate, Policy Board members shared the approaches taken in their countries to these standards and discussed the challenges they face, highlighting the necessary coordination with cancer registries at national level.
Strengthening the Connection between Networks and Patients
Funding mechanisms to foster synergies and collaboration between organisations constituted the second block of the dialogue. The importance of involving the patient from the very beginning of networking and ensuring continuous support and collaboration between cancer networks and projects at European and national level was highlighted as a key element for the sustainability of the networks.
Finally, the day concluded with a panel discussion moderated by the OBS representatives, who shared strategies for keeping network members connected and interested in activities. This interaction provided attendees with valuable insights on how to ensure the sustainability of NENs in the future.
The Biosistemak team, responsible for the sustainability work package, closed the event, reaffirming their commitment to advancing cancer research.
