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Cairns hosts a global conference on nursing, midwifery and sustainability
A global gathering of World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery will see more than 300 delegates from 35 countries meeting in Cairns this week (Tuesday 17th to and Friday 20th July).
The 12th Biennial Conference and Meetings of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery is hosted by James Cook University’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research Capacity Building (WHOCC) and the College of Healthcare Sciences.
“This is a significant event for Cairns and a great privilege for the University, to be welcoming world leaders in nursing and midwifery as well as a broad range of health professionals and students from around the world,” JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said.
“As I scan the program I see a wealth of expertise and insight to be shared over the next few days.
“Given JCU’s mission as a university for the Tropics, I’m particularly excited to see the range of topics being addressed by delegates from the Tropics – from the challenges of climate change in Kiribati and maternal health on Cape York Peninsula, to a community-wide approach to ending violence against women in the Solomon Islands and Australian-Congolese partnerships in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We’re proud to have brought this conversation to Cairns and we wish the delegates a fruitful and enjoyable visit.”
The conference program will include consideration of the United Nations’ 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, focussing specifically on those with implications for nursing, midwifery and health development.
Delegates at the conference include representatives of International Councils of Nursing and Midwifery from Geneva and The Hague.
“It’s a rarity to have the absolute cream of nursing and midwifery in one place, tackling some of our biggest challenges,” Associate Professor Caryn West, Co-Director, WHOCC at JCU said.
“The outcomes of the conference will inform a global report on strengthening the education and training of all those who provide midwifery care, as well as the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health 2016-2030.”
The delegates’ tropical experience will begin with a walking tour of JCU in Smithfield on Tuesday, visiting the mosquito research facility, the Australian Tropical Herbarium, and the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine. The social program also includes dinner a Tjapukai and a global gathering at the Cairns Aquarium.
The Conference will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Wednesday and Thursday 18th and 19th July. The Executive meeting will be held at The Cairns Institute at JCU in Smithfield on Tuesday 17th and Friday 20th July.