Newswise — The Fulbright Academy of Science & Technology is hosting an influential workshop linking the natural environment to stewardship of human health. The regional focus will be the Middle East - Persian Gulf - and implications for nursing and nursing education, but it the process and outcomes are relevant to other region and health professions.
The symposium in Doha, Qatar on March 23-25 2008, will be hosted by the Qatar Foundation and the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology (FAST). The program will draw together 50-70 professionals, academics and policymakers to address three questions:"¢ How are environmental pressures such as water, air and noise pollution changing in the Middle East; and how are they likely to change over the next 20-25 years?"¢ How will these changes affect the health of men, women and children in the region?"¢ What are the implications for the future size, shape and purpose of the Middle East's nursing workforce?
Keynote speakers will address the three broad questions outlined above. Panel discussions will follow a structured format which encourages a rigorous analysis of the issues.
Leaders in nursing education from the United States, Europe and the Middle East will be attending the meeting. The following US academic institutions are expected to be represented: Azusa Pacific University, Cornell University, Texas A&M, University of Illinois, University of Michigan and Yale University. Many institutions in the region will also be represented.
FAST is still seeking nominations of indivudals who may wish to attend the meeting. FAST is also seeking additional corporate or institutional sponsors for the program.
The three key outputs of the symposium will be:"¢ First, a series of short summaries of the panel discussions, presented in such a way that they are immediately accessible to a wide audience. These summaries will be produced using knowledge brokering techniques adapted from the environmental policymaking arena. A representative of a major international nursing journal will participate in the workshop so that the results can be published in a peer-reviewed publication. "¢ Second, an improved focus on the important environmental triggers that policymakers need to consider in their plans to train the Middle East's nursing workforce. The summaries of panel discussions will be written so that they can be locally updated as new research evidence and information emerges. We also will invite policymakers and nursing practitioners to play an active part in the workshop and its follow-up activities. "¢ Third, the formation of an international working group, supported by a global network of professionals and using the most up-to-date information technology. Among other topics, this group will address application of new technology for education and recommend areas for research in the field of nursing of particular interest to the region. FAST will work with a group of participants and local institutions to develop a concrete proposal for funding or sponsoring this network.
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