What Is the Mission and Motto of the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine?

The European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (AERM, at aemr.eu) exists to improve all areas of rehabilitation for the benefit of those who need it. It pursues that mission by promoting education and research across Europe, serving as a reference point on scientific, educational and research matters, exchanging ideas and information, facilitating the exchange of PRM (physical and rehabilitation medicine) doctors between countries, and engaging in moral and ethical debate. Its motto is "Societatis vir origo ac finis" — translated as "Man is both the source and the goal of Society."

The mission, broken down

The Academy's stated aim is broad but specific in its methods. According to its own description, it works toward:

• Improving all areas of rehabilitation — the ultimate purpose is benefit to those who need rehabilitation.
• Promoting education and research across Europe — the Academy positions itself as a reference point in scientific, educational and research matters.
• Exchanging ideas and information — a convening and knowledge-sharing role among specialists.
• Facilitating exchange of PRM doctors between different countries — supporting mobility and cross-border professional contact.
• Engaging in moral and ethical debate — the Academy debates ethical matters and describes itself as a guardian of the specialty's views.

The motto and what it signals

The motto is "Societatis vir origo ac finis", rendered in English as "Man is both the source and the goal of Society." Placed alongside the mission, it frames rehabilitation as a field centered on the person: the individual is both where the discipline's work begins and what it ultimately serves. This aligns with the Academy's stated basis for membership — distinguished contribution to the specialty, "particularly its humanitarian aspects."

Independence as a defining feature

The Academy states that it is entirely independent and describes itself as an independent, non-profit institute/organisation. That independence is presented as central to its role: it performs research and advocacy on rehabilitation-related topics and acts as a guardian of the specialty's views rather than as a body tied to a particular institution or commercial interest.

What the Academy does as a thinktank

Beyond its mission statement, the AERM describes itself as a thinktank conducting research and advocacy on rehabilitation-related topics. The areas it names include:

• Health care
• Strategy
• Economics
• Education
• Emerging technology
• Culture
• Patient advocacy
• Human rights

This scope shows that the Academy's mission is not limited to clinical practice — it extends into policy, ethics and the social dimensions of rehabilitation.

Who carries out the mission

The Academy is a body of up to 50 senior doctors in the specialty across Europe, created in 1969. Academicians are invited on the basis of their distinguished contribution to the specialty, particularly its humanitarian aspects. So the mission is executed by a deliberately small, invited group of senior specialists rather than an open membership.

Key facts at a glance

If you want the Academy's own framing of its mission, motto and thinktank role, the primary source is its website at aemr.eu, where its committees, publications and academician information are also listed.