ICN Congress highlights
Highlights of the 24th Quadrennial Congress of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) include the opening keynote speech by former Botswana President Festus Mogae. Mr Mogae is the recipient of many awards for his outstanding leadership in ensuring Botswana's continued stability in the face of an HIV/AIDS pandemic which threatened the future of his country and people.
Other plenary and main speakers include health human rights defender and author Miriam Were, South African celebrity and commentator Gerry Eldson and health economics expert and researcher Diane McIntyre. Renowned nurse educator Ed Halloran will deliver the Virginia Henderson lecture. Professional visits organized by DENOSA will also allow nurses from across the world to learn about nursing practice and health care in South Africa.
This first ICN Congress in Africa offers a scientific programme of more than 1,300 presentations, including plenary, main sessions and concurrent sessions, symposia, workshops, special interest sessions and posters, over a five-day period from 30 June to 4 July.
Council of National Representatives
The scientific programme is preceded by the Council of National Representatives (CNR) meeting, which runs from 27 to 30 June. The CNR is the governing body of the International Council of Nurses and meets every two years in conjunction with ICN's conferences and Congresses. The election of ICN's president and new board members will take place during the CNR, along with deliberations on a new ICN membership model.
Exhibition
The 54 organisations participating in the Congress commercial exhibition include universities, health ministries, nursing organisations, publishers, pharmaceutical companies and local artisans. The ever-popular virtual classroom situated in the exhibition area will offer non-stop briefings and workshops on current trends and issues.