ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies and describes a few key milestones in the development of policies on self help at an international level. Self help groups are essentially a very local activity; they are generated by individuals coming together to help themselves and each other in their own local communities. The policies of two international bodies, both operating in Europe, are considered here. These are: the European Community and the World Health Organization, including both its headquarters office and its regional office for Europe. There are two principal policy-making bodies of the European Community. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe serves as the highest policy-formulating body, providing a forum in which ministers of the member states can meet to discuss subjects under their authority. The World Health Organization is the office for health of the United Nations. Its Headquarters Office is located in Geneva and it has a Regional Office for Europe, located in Copenhagen.
