World Wide Charter for Action on Eating Disorders

The World Wide Charter for Action on Eating Disorders is a collaborative global initiative to change the way eating disorders are treated and those with eating disorders are supported. In 2005, a group of AED members and others affected by eating disorders put out a survey that reached 1,730 people in 46 countries asking for their concerns and their hopes. What developed was a remarkably similar set of concerns and solutions.

The Charter distills those answers in six clear directives:
THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH EATING DISORDERS AND CARERS
I Right to communication/partnership with health professionals
II Right to comprehensive assessment and treatment planning
III Right to accessible, high quality, fully funded, specialized care
IV Right to respectful, fully-informed, age-appropriate, safe levels of care
V Right of carers to be informed, valued and respected as a treatment resource
VI Right of carers to accessible, appropriate support and education resources

In June 2006, a World Summit on Eating Disorders in Barcelona announced the Charter at the first global meeting of professional, patient/carers, and other stakeholders. Delegates from around the world and conference participants were invited to participate in this Summit, which featured the signing of the Charter and a work session focused on ways to enact the standards set forth in the Charter.

Download a 45 minute video on the U.S. launch of the Charter in Washington D.C: Download the video here.

The Charter is meant to be a dynamic undertaking: organizations and individuals are encouraged to print it, use it, and adapt it in their own treatment and community.

The Charter Task Force meets monthly and welcomes suggestions and volunteers to help the Charter's mission to improve the lives of people with eating disorders and their carers.

Read the full text of the World Wide Charter

For more details contact Kristine Vazzano or Susan Ringwood, co-Chairs of the Charter Task Force.


Sign on in Support of the World Wide Charter

Numerous companies and individuals have signed the Charter. Join them in supporting this groundbreaking effort. All fields are required for submission.

Name (organization or individual)
City, State
Country
I am signing on as an Individual
I am signing on as an Organization (type organization name in 'Name' field above)
By checking this box, I express my support for the World Wide Charter for Action on Eating Disorders. I understand that the Charter, and the language therein, is property of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and unauthorized use is prohibited.



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Charter Questionnaire Now Available Online
The AED World Wide Charter questionnaire links to the Charters' six statements of rights and expectations. Please complete the questionnaire to help us learn more about the quality of eating disorder treatment, research, and prevention in your region of the world. The information we gather from the questionnaire responses can be used to develop initiatives to improve services and research, and to support campaigns which further the Charter's aims.

To complete the questionnaire, click here.

A summary of the responses will be published in the AED Forum, and on our website.

Thank you for your help with this vital initiative!