Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation (ASIF)

ASIF is the international body for AS consisting of patient groups from around 25 countries who all share the same objectives:

• An exchange of information and experiences among the member societies
• Co operation in international research projects
• Support of the development of newly foremed societies
• Contact with people with AS in countries where an AS society does not yet exist
• Working together to raise awareness of AS as a condition and of the needs of people with AS

NASS was instrumental in the foundation of ASIF when representatives from a number of AS societies met in Bath in 1988 to discuss the merits of an international association. ASIF was based in the NASS offices for a number of years and the NASS Director became its first President. The current Chairman of NASS, Hedley Hamilton, is the Vice President.

ASIF has designated the first Saturday after the 1st of  May each year as World AS Day. This provides a platform for the international AS community to raise awareness of the condition in a collective manner. NASS celebrated the first World AS Day in 2010 with its very first sponsored walk in Richmond Park, Surrey. Click on the link to read more about the sponsored walk.

Click here for the current list of ASIF Member Countries.

Standing Committee of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe (PARE)

PARE is the patient arm of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), an organisation established to reduce the burden of rheumatic diseases on the individual and society and to improve the treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal diseases throughout Europe.

NASS has an affiliation with PARE through ASIF which is a member of Standing Committee of PARE.