A new European declaration "Better health better lives: children and young people with intellectual disabilities and their families" was signed by the Romanian Minister of Health on behalf of Ministers of Health from across the WHO Europe Region of 53 member states at a meeting in Bucharest, Romania on 26th November 2010. This initiative, led by WHO in partnership with Unicef, aims to ensure that all children and young people with learning disabilities are fully participating members of society, living with their families, integrated in the community and receiving health care and support proportional to their needs. The Regional Directors of WHO and UNICEF were co-signatories. The Declaration was supported by NGOs and Disabled Persons Organisations. The Declaration and Action Plan were introduced to the high level conference by Professor Sheila Hollins, our Editor-in-Chief, who had been chair of the expert steering group responsible for developing it. The declaration identified 10 priorities for action and had 4 key objectives: (1)promoting and supporting good physical and mental health and well-being; (2)eliminating health and other inequalities and preventing other forms of discrimination, neglect and abuse; (3)providing support that prevents family separation and allow parents to care for and protect children and young people with intellectual disabilities; (4)supporting children and young people in the development of their potential and the successful transitions through life. The full Declaration, an easy read version and supporting papers are all available on the following websites:

 http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/diseases-and-conditions/mental-health/activities/intellectual-disabilities and http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/diseases-and-conditions/mental-health/publications/2010/european-declaration-on-the-health-of-children-and-young-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families