As Family Doctors, since Covid many things are changing in our world, and yet some very human issues remain. We need to recover, we need to reconnect, we need to revitalize and celebrate our profession. Concurrent history and evolution are both important structures for our human communities. WONCA[1] the organisation began in Melbourne in 1972. I was thrilled to be hosting the 50th anniversary of this major medical organisation in 2022, during my Presidential term of the RACGP 2020-2022. Alas, due to Covid we are now hosting the 50th anniversary in 2023 and like all adaptations, we will celebrate this important milestone in international medical advocacy with just as much joy. Perhaps even more so given how the world has rapidly changed during Covid.
Attending the World WONCA Conference is a life changing experience as you network with family doctors around the world and understand the unique local contexts of the application of primary care. You come away with a shared understanding of the humanity of our profession and the influence that policy can make to the application of high-quality primary care. You network with incredible peers who are researching, advocating, and educating within the broadest of disciplines. For me it has been such a privilege to have international networks and friends. Presenting workshops, participating in discussions, and listening to world leaders in primary care is such an opportunity to broaden and deepen your understandings. I strongly encourage you to join in the celebrations and I was proud to have contributed to the conference themes of Recovery, Reconnection and Revival. We all need inspiration and celebration.
Within the scientific committee and the international committees, we have been working hard to present an exciting and stimulating program. I have personally ensured there is support for the presentation techniques which are important to stimulate discussion and dialogue. To connect with the audience and revitalize your works meaning is such an important part of recognizing what so many doctors and health care workers have been through during a historic global pandemic.
The Sydney location has been reviewed by the CEO Dr Harris Lydiakis, Associate Professor Bohumil Seifert, Prof Mark Morgan, and myself, along with RACGP staff and it is a thrilling yet comfortable location on beautiful Darling Harbour, Sydney. There are many accommodation choices around with good local eateries and restaurants. We are arranging smaller intimate places to collect with your international friends on the many mezzanines at the Conference site, during the conference. We have some wonderful local entertainment centres booked for the official conference dinner and welcome your families with a partner program put together by Tourism Australia. The usual pre and post conference events are on including inter practice visits with Australian General Practices. Please consult the website for details.
I look forward to hosting you and your families. I celebrate your stories and narratives from these extraordinary times we have been through. We are looking forward to welcoming a new President of WONCA Assoc Professor Karen Flegg, whilst celebrating the wonderful international achievements of President Anna Stavdahl in her brilliant advocacy globally for Primary Care. We will celebrate all the diversity of all the physicians and clinicians who dedicate their lives to this brilliant and extraordinary global vocation. By remaining openly curious about ourselves and our world we can truly demonstrate the very best of tolerant humanitarian professionalism and address more easily the very real and imperative global challenges ahead of us.
With my very best wishes for safe travels
Adj. Prof Karen Price
Immediate Past President RACGP
WONCA 2023 Host Organising Committee Chair
[1] WONCA is an acronym comprising of the first five initials of the World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians. WONCA's short name is World Organisation of Family Doctors.