Two new appointments confirm the increasing importance of research into complementary medicine.

In May 2008, Claudia Witt was awarded the endowed professorship of the Karl and Veronica Carstens Foundation from the Charité University Clinic in Berlin, for studies in this field of medicine. She intends to use her new position to obtain a broader scientific base for complementary medicine and to integrate the therapeutic possibilities into conventional treatment. Little is yet known about efficacy and possible side effects. 'I am pleased to be able to contribute to further close the wide gap between therapeutic reality and scientific knowledge.' Witt’s main research focus is in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in homeopathy where she has already gained international recognition.

On 4 June a new lectureship for anthroposophic healthcare was announced by the Hogeschool Leiden (Leiden High School) in the Netherlands. The lecturer is Dr. Erik Baars, who is known to many ECHAMP supporters for his valuable contributions in the field of CAM, in particular at the Louis Bolk Institute with the study on the safety of injectables.

Some 150 people attended the inauguration ceremony for the new lectureship, which will last for 3 years and is financed 50% by the Hogeschool and 50% by connected organisations, such as foundations. Dr. Baars will carry out research concerning the practice of anthroposophic medicine, including research on effectiveness. He will also deliver a Master class on specific competence within research into anthroposophic medicines. The first Symposium will take place on 12 December 2008 to present the first results of the lectureship.

The aim of the Hogeschool Leiden is to investigate different professional practices and thus to contribute to the growth of knowledge and teaching.


Max Daege & Christiaan Mol
ECHAMP President & ECHAMP Board Member