NMD- specific groups could be of great value as well directly for the people involved in these diseases as for research and researchers. The close and adequate working together of the national NMDA and the national

NMD- specific groups is a prerequisite for success. To avoid fragmentarisation, disharmony and inadequate use of means, it is seen as a first duty of the International NMD-specific groups to facilitate harmonious collaboration, coordination and integration on the national level.

National NMDs should respect the wishes of NMD- specific groups for some own identity, peer-to-peer activities, cooperation with researchers and fundraising for their specific NMD as far as this does not harm the national policy in this area.

WANDA recognoses the enormous differences in structure, means, procedures and priorities in the various countries and fully respect the policy of individual NMDAs in their working together with disease specific groups.

WANDA recognises International NMD-specific groups and appreciate communication and collaboration however in the understanding that they agree with the policy on the national level.

WANDA bi annually chooses a specific NMD to focus attention of scientists and to contribute to awareness of society for this disease. Last year this was Pompe disease. For the period of 2001 uptill 2003 SMA has been chosen as a focus disease.

In the context of this program four conferences are organised of which the first one took place in Capri, Italy in spring 2001. A scientific and a family workshop is planned in Vancouver in spring 2002 and a concluding, strategic oriented, workshop is planned in 2003 in Naples again.

The websites of WANDA and the World Forum offer opportunities to NMD-specific groups to present and promote themselves.