Physios flock to Dubai for the World Physiotherapy Congress 2023, with Japan 2025 also on the agenda

Getting active

Tomorrow (1 June) Anna Lowe, an associate professor at Sheffield Hallam University and director at the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine-Sheffield, joins colleagues from Australia and Cameroon to run a course titled ‘Physical activity leadership’. Dr Lowe's fellow presenters are Etienne Ngeh Ngeh, Leanne Hassett, Cathie Sherrington and Sally Mastwyk.

The course information states: ‘Physiotherapists have a critical role to play in enabling physical activity, particularly in those with health conditions who face barriers to becoming more active. This course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop your leadership in this field.’

Planning for Japan

World Physiotherapy, which represents 129 national organisations, has invited physiotherapists of ‘good standing’ with their member organisation to apply to join the congress programme committee (CPC) for the congress in Japan. CPC members must be able to serve from August 2023 until the end of the congress evaluation period, with the event scheduled to take place from 29-31 May 2025.

To be eligible, physiotherapists must be members in ‘good standing’ with a World Physiotherapy member organisation, that is itself in ‘good standing’ with World Physiotherapy.

Applicants should submit a letter of application containing evidence that addresses the person specification, and a curriculum vitae (of up to four pages). The submission must be accompanied by a letter of support from the applicant's World Physiotherapy member organisation .

CPC members, who must be committed and dependable, are expected to participate in meetings and undertake activities as required, working alongside World Physiotherapy staff. If you have a query, email Birgit Mueller-Winkler: bmuellerwinkler@world.physio

Interested in CPC role?

Congress attendees can join a two-hour Indaba session, starting at 1pm on 3 June, in order to meet members of the current CPC and find out more about the role.

Members of the current CPC will also be available for an online drop-in session on 7 June from 1-1.30. Join the session at this link 

Applications must be submitted to info@world.physio by 28 June and applicants will be notified of the outcome during August 2023.

Sample a 'flavour of Dubai'

Jonathon Kruger, who has been World Physiotherapy’s chief executive since 2016, is one of four speakers lined up to present an opening session on the morning of 2 June. This session will ‘celebrate the opening of the congress and the coming together of physiotherapists from all over the world’. Delegates are also promised a chance to enjoy a ‘flavour of Dubai’ and to hear about the poster presentation awards.

Mr Kruger (Australia), will be joined on stage by Emma Stokes (Ireland), Naima Saleh (UAE) and Jackie Whittaker (Canada).

For more information about the programme, click 

World Physiotherapy is the sole international voice for physiotherapy, representing more than 600,000 physiotherapists through 129 member organisations

Twitter: #WorldPhysio2023

For information on a separate online event, to be held from 23-25 June 2023, for those unable to join the in-person event in Dubai, click