Conference planning and event management were the topics for a two-day workshop for WCPT member organisations and provisional member organisations in west Africa.
The workshop, 26-27 February, attracted 26 delegates from Association Beninoise des Kinesitherapeutes - Reeducateurs, Ghana Physiotherapy Association, Association Ivoirienne des Masseurs-Kinésithérapeutes, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, Togolese Physiotherapists' Association.
Mathias Ahissan Krou, President of the Association Ivoirienne des Masseurs-Kinésithérapeutes, said: 'It was a beautiful experience on all levels - relational, knowledge, learning. The WCPT membership engagement approach makes us confident knowing there is a mentor behind on whom we can count. As it is said, "what deserves to be done, deserves to be well done".'
Alberta Rockson, President of the Ghana Physiotherapy Association, said: ‘I wish to applaud WCPT for such a unique opportunity to make the African continent feel closer to the world. It was such a great pleasure to be part of this preparation towards the next WCPT Africa Region Congress. We in Ghana hope to give our full support to the success of our host member organisation in Benin towards July 2020.’
WCPT Deputy Chief Executive Tracy Bury, WCPT Congress Manager Natasha Joyner, and WCPT Head of Programmes and Development Sidy Dieye delivered the workshop, which took place in Cotonou, Benin.
Tracy said: ‘The aim of the workshop was to give member organisations the support they need to be the strongest physical therapy associations. Our focus was on ensuring people in the WCPT Africa region have the skills and knowledge to develop and deliver events and conferences for physical therapists in the area. It was a pleasure to collaborate with the workshop delegates and help them plan for Benin 2020. It is likely to be the largest conference for physical therapists in the Africa region. The Benin association has already been working locally to build strong connections and gather high level support. They are well-placed to deliver a highly successful event.’
Workshop sessions included:
- Evidence informed decision-making
- Project management
- Financial planning
- Income sources
- Scientific programme
- Communications and marketing
- Venue logistics
- Social programme
The workshop is part of a suite of services offered by WCPT to build engagement and ensure new and developing member organisations have the core skills to operate effectively and provide the support their members need. WCPT has delivered workshops on advocacy and education in Taiwan, Vietnam and South America.
The workshop in Benin was delivered with support from the ICRC MoveAbility Foundation.
