WCPT Update

World Physical Therapy Day: new materials for 2014

WCPT has launched materials to help physical therapists around the world mark this year’s World Physical Therapy Day on 8th September.  The message for 2014 is “Fit to take part”, emphasising physical therapists’ role in supporting people with long-term illnesses or disabilities to become independent and participate fully in society.  The World Physical Therapy Day toolkit for 2014 includes posters and flyers with this year’s message, as well as ideas, practical advice, resources on the contribution of physical therapists, stickers and t-shirt designs.

Access the toolkit:
Read the news article

WCPT awards programme

The presentation of the WCPT Awards has become a highlight of our General Meeting and Congress. It is an opportunity to reflect on the outstanding contribution our colleagues around the world have made to our profession and global health.  The awards started in 1986 with the establishment of the Mildred Elson Award for international leadership, named after WCPT’s first President. It remains the Confederation’s highest honour, and the most recent winner was Stanley Paris www.wcpt.org/awards2011#stanley_paris. In 2007 WCPT launched an expanded awards programme to reflect growth in WCPT as well as a growing profession with increasing impact on global health.  Today, we believe there are more physical therapists whose international contributions are worthy of recognition than ever. The Awards Committee is looking forward to receiving nominations for the 2014 awards from WCPT member organisations, regions and subgroups. You can read more about the awards and their categories below.There are just two months left to submit a nomination for a WCPT award before the 31st August deadline. The WCPT awards programme recognises outstanding contributions and leadership by physical therapists to the profession and/or global health at an international level.

There are four award categories open to nomination by WCPT member organisations, regions or subgroups:

  • Mildred Elson Award
  • International Service Award
  • Humanitarian Service Award
  • Leadership in Rehabilitation Award

If you know of a physical therapist you would like to see nominated for an international award, please review the nomination criteria and contact your WCPT member organisation.

More information about the WCPT awards programme 2015
Full WCPT awards programme 2015

Guidelines on health-related rehabilitation

The deadline for submissions for both calls is 20th July 2014.

WHPA Regulation conference: presentations available

Following last month’s World Health Professions Regulation Conference held in Geneva, PowerPoint presentations from sessions have now been made available.

Human Resources for Health

A report of the 3rd Global Forum on Human Resources for Health held in Recife Brazil in November 2013 is now available online. The report, developed by the Global Health Workforce Alliance with support from the World Health Organization, comprehensively describes the proceedings of the event and summarizes the key issues, innovative ideas and solutions that emerged.

Working Internationally

Are you interested in volunteering, working or studying in another country? The area of WCPT’s website dedicated to this has recently been updated with new international opportunities added.

International events

4th International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector: 22nd – 24th October 2014, Miami, Florida, USA. The deadline to submit poster abstracts is 1st August 2014. Early bird registration closes on the 1st September 2014.

2nd HIFA (Health Information For All) International Conference: 20th – 24th October 2014, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Delegates will review progress made since the launch of HIFA and explore ways to accelerate progress towards Healthcare Information For All in Africa and worldwide.