A conference sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe addressed the provision of self-care health education in Europe. The 15 participants came from a variety of nations and backgrounds. Their roles ranged from WHO officials to community organizers, health practitioners, and health educators. The WHO Regional Office staff provided introductory statements on the proposed WHO program for promoting self care skills in Europe. Discussions followed on: (1) an international perspective on self-help and mutual aid; (2) consumer-centered health care; (3) the Giugliano action research project; (4) the role of health education in facilitating self help; (5) a general practitioner's view of education for self care; (6) self-help in the USSR; (7) the Feminist Women's Health Center in West Berlin; (8) research on the role of the family in self care for chronic illness; and (9) the key role of personal and local self help in a new development path. The feasibility of establishing a European clearinghouse on self help and self care was explored. The group came to several conclusions about the role of the WHO Regional Office in promoting self care in Europe. A list of the participants is appended. (FG)