"Self-determination at the end of life" – the dialogue phase of NRP "End of Life" has begun

Selected findings from the National Research Programme "End of Life" (NRP 67) will be presented at the dialogue event "Self-determination at the end of life".

After three years of research, the dialogue phase of the National Research Programme "End of Life" (NRP 67) has begun. At a total of five thematically organised dialogue events, researchers and representatives from society in general as well as the areas involved discuss selected findings from the projects.

The next dialogue event on Thursday, 21st April in Bern focuses on the legal provisions governing the end of life. At the heart of the "Self-determination at the end of life" dialogue event is the question whether the new legal provisions that have been in force since 2013, together with the adult protection law, stand up in practice. The new law aims, among others, to facilitate self-determination at the individual level. At the same time, the end of life is characterised by difficult and often controversial decisions. Presentations will be made on the findings of a number of NRP "End of Life" projects dealing with the legal provisions that apply at the end of life and the dying individual's powers of judgement. The event is being carried out in cooperation with the Federal Office of Justice.

Further events planned

Three further dialogue events are planned for this year:

  • Assisted suicide: practice, attitudes, regulations (4th July 2016)
  • Dying in Switzerland: health care situation (September 2016)
  • Good death: cultural and social concepts and ideals (December 2016)

The exact dates and venues will be continuously updated on the NRP "End of Life" website. To stay informed about the events, please subscribe to the newsletters of the NRP.

A summary of the first dialogue event "Dying at home or in a care home: challenges for relatives, doctors and carers" can also be found on the NRP website.

The events address primarily individuals in politics, public offices, care facilities, medical associations and social institutions whose work deals with end-of-life questions.