WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports - a focus on WSAVA CE
Just 11 short years ago, members of the WSAVA Executive Board had an idea that the best way to provide excellence in small animal medicine for the central and eastern European regions was to share the technological advances and know-how of practitioners from around the world, regardless of socio-political situation.
The whole project was set up after the first Central European national associations joining the WSAVA in Rome 1992. The then President of WSAVA, Dr Andrew Edney, carried out a great deal of early investigative work, progressing from common ideas with Dr. Jacques Drape. Then, in 1992 at the WSAVA World Congress in Rome, the path towards achieving the goal was laid under the guidance of Honorary Secretary Dr. Steve Ettinger. At that time the Czech and Slovak Small Animal Veterinary Association (CSSAVA) was joining the WSAVA under the representation of Dr. Gabriel Varga, the current WSAVA Immediate Past President, along with the Hungarian SAVA, represented by Melinda Magdus with the countries of that part of Europe were very keen to enhance their knowledge.
For participants, there were (and some of them still are) limited resources to travel to CE meetings. Locally, it was not yet possible to organize and finance workshops and the WSAVA lacked contacts in these regions. Consequently, the decision was made to cut costs by bringing the speakers to the people rather than the people to the speakers. Following the WSAVA Board meeting in Prague in January 1993 (the first meeting to be held in a post-communist country), the first WSAVA Continuing Education (CE) conference was held October 1993. The veterinarians from three central European countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia) were educated in the subjects of practice management and dermatology by Drs. Gabor Vajda and Didier Carlotti.
What is CE? Its goal is “to advance the quality and availability of small animal veterinary medicine and surgery” by providing education to practitioners who feel they need to refresh or refine their skills. Small animal practice is in all countries, but it is a growing field especially in emerging ones, and there is a big difference between the philosophies of large and small animal medicine. For many clients, their pet is an important member of the family. This new emphasis has given rise to a growing demand for more personal veterinary care extending into newer disciplines such as oncology, gerontology, and emergency/trauma care. Continuing education provides veterinarians who have specialised in large animal medicine, or who have not been exposed to these newer aspects of companion animal medicine, the chance to learn and apply these skills in their practices. More specialised conferences are held in countries where CE has been running for a longer period.
From its first success in a small region of Central Europe, WSAVA CE has continued to expand into many regions of the world and now includes over 26 countries in Asia, Europe, and Central and Latin America, with over 4,200 delegates attending the events in on a yearly basis.
However, WSAVA CE has no intention of resting on its laurels. Throughout 2004/2005, a whirlwind tour of over 30 conferences over three continents has been planned. A “modest” goal was set to achieve – to overcome a record in 2002 – when more than 25,000 invitations were sent out to veterinarians and meetings were attended by over 4,600 participants.
This global project cannot do without a kind contribution of the local WSAVA representatives acting as our local organizers nor without the regional coordinators – Drs. Clarke, Brauner, and Tello.
It is with a great pleasure that the WSAVA welcomes new countries, willing to join this project. The initial talks with the National representations of China, Iran, Tunis, Morocco, Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, and Venezuela have started and the suitable topics have been discussed with several international lecturers.
Our great thanks goes to our sponsoring companies, for their long term partnership and generous support over this whole 11 years period – Bayer, Hill’s, Intervet, Waltham.
For those of you interested in taking an active participation within WSAVA CE meetings in your country, please contact your local representative to the WSAVA (this information is available from the WSAVA member association pages).
WSAVA/FIAVAC/AMMVEPE 2005 Congress Update
Invitation from Dr. Raul Carrancá Rivera, Organizing Committee President
Dear Colleagues,
Warm greetings from Mexico. The Mexican Small Animal Veterinary Association (AMMVEPE) is pleased to invite you to join the 30th Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the 2nd Congress of the Federation of Ibero American Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FIAVAC) May 11-14th, 2005 in Mexico City.
Mexico City hosted the 6th WSAVA Congress in 1971 and 34 years later, after much hard work by our organizing committee, we have the honour of hosting this important event once again. We are excited that FIAVAC, created at the 2002 WSAVA Congress in Granada, Spain in order to promote veterinary science along common language and educational goals, elected to hold its congress in conjunction with the WSAVA in Mexico.
We are proud to offer an extensive scientific programme over four full days featuring nine simultaneous streams with 252 lectures, along with pre-congress symposia. Most lectures will be presented in English with simultaneous Spanish translation while those presented in Spanish will have simultaneous English translation.
The commercial exhibit will offer a large display of veterinary products, services and equipment. A shuttle service will take delegates from the reasonably priced selected hotels to the first class Banamex Conference Centre. Check the Congress website for information on the Banamex Centre as well as the trade exhibit and congress tours.
Mexico, and in particular, Mexico City offer wonderful tourism opportunities before or after your educational experience. We are looking forward to welcoming you with our traditional hospitality to share experiences with colleagues from around the world at this magnificent meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTE: VISA REQUIREMENTS to enter Mexico (Tourist or Business)
Citizens and/or residents of some countries require a VISA to enter Mexico as tourists or business visitors. A tourist card will be issued free of charge by the local Mexican Consulate or aboard the airline used to enter Mexico against proof of citizenship or residence. A VISA takes from 30 to 60 days to issue and your Congress Registration is a MUST to secure your VISA.
PLEASE CONTACT US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ASSIST In SECURING THIS VISA: info@congress-mexico.com.mx .
News from Around the World
WSPA is looking for a veterinary surgeon on short-term contract to work on disaster relief projects in Sri Lanka, Thailand and India (see below). If anyone can help, or knows of anyone who might be interested, please contact Elly at WSPA (EllyHiby@wspa.org.uk).
Essential qualities
- Qualified veterinary surgeon
- Experience of small animal neutering techniques and mass rabies vaccination protocols
- Experience of working overseas in developing countries
- Experience of working in veterinary mobile clinics
- Good team working and management skills
- Available immediately for overseas travel
Desirable qualities
- Language abilities
Time scale
To start IMMEDIATELY on a full-time, 2-3 month contract.
Role
- Help with the management and setting up of WSPA led projects in Sri Lanka, Thailand and India, including mobile veterinary clinics.
- Will work both as part of a team, and in a management role, with local animal welfare and veterinary organizations in these Indian Ocean countries.
