Welcome to the all-EURope Young People in A.A. conference tomorrow at Stockholm’s Münchenbryggeriet

The EURYPAA conference runs from Friday evening, 23 July through Sunday afternoon 25 July. It includes meetings where people share their personal stories of recovery as well as keynote speakers, workshops and panel discussions on a variety of topics such as: Cooperating with doctors, therapists and clergy; Relationships in sobriety; A.A. experience in jails; History of young people in A.A.; Partying sober; Sober gays & lesbians; ’Young at any age’ with people who got sober after 30; and ’Never Had a Legal Drink’ with panelists who got sober before it was legal for them to have had a drink. There will also be a Sunset Concert of live music on Friday night, and a Disco on Långholmen – the historic prison island of Stockholm – on Saturday night.

Contact
For press accreditation and special interviews contact:
TGIM AB, Annette Sandgren + 46 70 777 91 00, annette@tgim.se

Jay G. EURYPAA 2010 Chair, to all EURYPAA participants:
We are grateful to be sharing this first ever – and annual – EURYPAA with you! Whether this is your first YPAA conference, or your fifty-third, let me just say... “Hi, You! We love you, You! Lots and lots and lots! And whooooooooole bunches!”

You were already a part of this incredible worldwide A.A. fellowship. And now you are a part of history... the first ever EURYPAA! A year ago we decided to create EURYPAA in the hopes of bringing together young people from all across Europe (and the world) in celebration of our recovery from alcoholism through the program and fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. We also know we sober members of A.A. have the responsibility to pass it on. As EURYPAA grows and floats through Europe, we hope to continually reach alcoholics and be an example that it is possible to get sober and enjoy life.

In young people’s groups all around the world A.A.’s find an enthusiasm for living sober that is a direct re- flection on the freedom from the disease of alcohol- ism. No matter how old you are when you get sober, there is a fear of the unknown followed by hope for the possibilities to come. If you still have room to grow in your sobriety, you are a Young People.

At EURYPAA you will meet people who got sober as young teenagers, or as young pensioners. There are attendees who are counting sober days, and those counting sober decades. Make a joyful noise, we are all a part of EURYPAA!

What to expect at EURYPAA? You may be amazed by the incredible fellowship in Stockholm A.A.. We are definitely NOT a glum lot! You will probably get a kick, as we have, out of the conference being held in München Brewery. Undoubtedly you will make friends in recovery from all over the world, and see how you can be of service to young people internationally. And at the end of it all, exhausted from the full activities and A.A. program, you will go home with renewed gratitude that two hopeless drunks came together 75 years before and began a worldwide fellowship that gives us all a sober future that outshines even a Stockholm summer sky!

PS. After this wonderful weekend, please join us in carrying the message of joy and recovery back to your home groups, cities, and conferences. Help us grow EURYPAA into 2011 and beyond by letting everyone know you were here and where EURYPAA will be held next year.

NOTE/IMPORTANT:
In keeping with the Alcoholics Anonymous tradition of personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and film, last names are not used in reference to individual members of A.A.
We respectfully ask that A.A. speakers and A.A. members not be photographed, videotaped, or identified by full name on audiotapes and in published or broadcast reports of our meetings. The assurance of anonymity is essential in our efforts to help other problem drinkers who may wish to share our recovery program with us. And our Tradition of anonymity reminds us that “A.A. principles come before personalities.” Any media visiting EURYPAA is kindly requested to coordinate with Annette Sandgren (friend of A.A.) and check-in at the Registration table so you may be given an identifying badge.

For more information on EURYPAA visit: www.eurypAA.org
For information on Alcoholics Anonymous in Sweden visit: www.AA.se,
For information on A.A. worldwide visit: www.AA.org
For Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen in Sweden visit: www.al-anon.se
For Al-Anon and Alateen worldwide visit: www.al-anon.org