"This meeting in Paris has opened my eyes," observed Dr. Arlan Fuhr of Activator Methods, who was presenting one of the many half-day technique workshops.
"It has shown me that a large and rapidly expanding chiropractic world is now flourishing outside America."
A highlight of the WFC's business meeting on May 23 was the WFC's adoption of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges' "Paradigm of Chiropractic," jointly presented to the meeting by the American Chiropractic Association, and the International Chiropractors' Association. (Note: A printed version of "ACC Chiropractic Paradigm" is reprinted on page 49 of July 2, 2001 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic, or click here for online version.)
The $7,000 first prize in the research competition, the "Scott Haldeman Award," funded in Paris by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), went to a research team from New York Chiropractic College, led by Dr. Don Dishman, for the paper Central Motor Excitability Changes Following Spinal Manipulation: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study.
There were rave reviews for the first day of the three-day academic program, which was devoted to pediatrics and featured lectures and workshops by prominent chiropractors, such as Dr. Claudia Anrig from Life Chiropractic College West, and medical doctors such as Jouko Salminen from the University of Turku, Finland. A grand rounds panel of chiropractic and medical doctors, chaired by Dr. Scott Haldeman, discussed chiropractic management of real individual cases involving colic, childhood asthma, adolescent scoliosis and wellness care.
Although spring weather beckoned chiropractors to the sights of Paris, 700 DCs packed the auditorium Saturday morning for the final philosophy session with four of the profession's most prominent leaders and educators: Dr. Guy Riekeman, president of Palmer College; Dr. Sid Williams, president of Life University; scientist Dr. Alan Breen of the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, U.K.; and Dr. Scott Haldeman.
Dr. Breen presented a compelling case that the philosophical differences between U.S. and European chiropractors were not based on differing philosophies of chiropractic, but rather on culture. He stated that Americans have a philosophical tradition and culture that values enthusiasm, while Europeans have a tradition or culture suspicious of enthusiastic claims, and based more on critical analysis and restraint.
Among the other highlights:
- Six national associations were admitted into membership of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) - British Virgin Islands; Ghana; Guatemala; Malaysia; Poland; and Uganda. The WFC now comprises 77 national chiropractic associations.
- Dr. Monica Smith (Palmer University) discussed joint Palmer/WFC plans for a sophisticated new international electronic database on chiropractic. The WFC's national associations submitted country reports for this meeting that will form part of this database.
- The WFC and Life University presented plans for a jointly sponsored international anti-tobacco campaign by chiropractors in support of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Tobacco-Free Initiative.
- On May 27-28, the WFC's first multinational research project was launched. Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde,DC,PhD, from Denmark, met with research officers from eight countries that are developing networks of chiropractors to generate data on the nonmusculoskeletal benefits reported after chiropractic care, in a major WFC study funded by NCMIC Insurance.
- At the gala banquet on Saturday, May 26, the "WFC Honor Awards" for outstanding services promoting the international growth and acceptance of the chiropractic profession were given to John Sweaney,DC, of Australia, a past president of the Chiropractors' Association of Australia; Gordon Waddell,MD, orthopedic surgeon, Scotland; and Sid Williams,DC, president, Life University.
- Copies of the printed proceedings of the WFC's meeting in Fort Lauderdale last November (Philosophy in Chiropractic Education) were distributed and are now available from the WFC.
Human-interest stories, many featuring pioneering chiropractors still under threat of prosecution, were everywhere. In attendance was Father Fâlix Perel, a Catholic priest and chiropractor, who practiced for 18 years in Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, until his clinic was blown up during the 1997 civil war. Dr. Perel is a graduate of National College (now the National University of Health Sciences), and is now back in his homeland of France.
Other DC pioneers in Africa, Dr. Eno Sefar-Tawiah (University of Bridgeport) of Ghana, Dr. Evalie Heath (Life) of Zimbabwe, and Dr. Charles Sebwana (AECC) of Uganda, were able to attend the Congress because of the sponsorship of Back Talk Systems Inc. ("Click on the link to see Back Talk Sponsors DCs from Africa".)
A major professional goal of the WFC Congress, to provide strong publicity and support for French chiropractors that are still forced to practice illegally with the threat of prosecution, was realized.
The congress generated extensive media coverage in television, radio and print. "We have had more publicity for chiropractic in France during the past week than in the whole of the past century," said AFC President, Dr. Sylvain Parny to the gathering at the banquet.
The next WFC Congress, to be co-sponsored by the ACA, ICA and the Canadian Chiropractic Association, will be held at the Disney World Hilton Hotel in Orlando, Florida, May 2-4, 2003.
For more information on the Paris Congress and the WFC:
World Federation of Chiropractic
3080 Yonge Street, Suite 5065
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4N 3N1Phone: 416-484-9978
Fax: 416-484-9665
www.wfc.org
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