Toronto will host the 3rd International Congress of Traditional Medicine from Sept. 20-22, 2006. The conference, sponsored by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies and co-sponsored by the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, is expected to draw more than 1,000 practitioners from more than 100 countries, while regulatory board and health officials from China, Canadian federal government officials, and the Canadian Health Minister all have been invited to attend the conference.
The theme for this year's congress is "Opportunities and Development of Traditional Medicine in the New Era." The event will feature lectures and presentations from world-class speakers on the most recent advances in research and clinical studies of TCM and acupuncture. Topics to be discussed include:
Although a detailed list has not yet been released, scheduled speakers for the event include the following:
Attendees will become familiarized with up-to-date information on TCM health care products and equipment in the display and exhibition area of the conference. The best health product and the best paper presentation will be recognized at the congress' closing dinner. The WFCMS's International Prize for Contribution to Chinese Medicine awards, supported by both the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Office of Science and Technology Awards in China, also will be presented.
The awards will be granted in 2006, with three awards provided for at $10,000 each. Monies have been donated by the Kunhe Baicao Institution of Oncology, with similar sponsorship being provided by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals of Hong Kong, which will take the awards into 2007. The goals of the awards include advancing the awareness of Chinese medicine worldwide, advancing its credibility, and enhancing the health of the people of the world through Chinese medicine utilization worldwide. There had been 52 nominations from eight countries for the awards as of July 2006. Organization members are hoping the appraisals will be finished in time to provide recognition to the award recipients during the congress banquet.
The World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies is an international organization formed by a group of TCM professionals bodies from around the world. Its mission is to promote unity between TCM organizations, share information, exchange technological advances and further TCM's integration into mainstream health care. The co-sponsor of the event, the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, was established by Canadian TCM and acupuncture practitioners and currently has more than 1,600 members. It is Canada's largest and most prestigious organization of TCM and acupuncture professionals. For more information on this year's congress, visit www.tcmcanada.org/congress/ictm.htm or call (416) 597-6769.
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