World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies Annual Symposium, London Heathrow, 11-13 October 2024
Part 1: Forging relationships with the wider world of acupuncture
A unique opportunity
Representatives from the BAcC, RCHM, ETCMA, WFAS, ATCM and BMAS
The World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) is the leading global organisation that connects over 200 organisations from member countries together for the promotion of acupuncture. The annual symposium was held in the UK this year for the first time, making it a momentous occasion and an important opportunity to connect to the global community as well as affirm our relationships with our UK partners.
Putting the BAcC on the map
As the BAcC was an official supporter of the conference, I was seated next to Dr Sung Chol Kim, the head of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative medicine at the WHO, and Dr David P.J. Hung, the honorary president for life of the WFAS.
Dr Kim gave a fascinating presentation on the developing strategy for the WHO regarding traditional medicine. What struck me was how the WHO strategy aligned so well with all of the historical and current efforts that the BAcC had been making. The WHO’s key remit is to assist member countries in their own regulatory and recognition efforts, as well as helping them to integrate into national healthcare.
I had a very productive conversation with Dr Kim, highlighting the unique potential within the UK where we can take advantage of the level of self-control afforded by voluntary regulation but also start to get the real benefits of regulation and integration through the PSA accreditation. I hope to build on this relationship to see how we can work together in the future for mutual benefit.
I had a very enjoyable conversation with Dr Hung after discovering that he grew up in Taiwan. He was delighted to hear me speak some words of the Taiwanese dialect and took me under his wing for a large part of the gala dinner! I was also very pleased to meet the heads of all of the Taiwanese Chinese Medicine Associations and exchange certificates of recognition with them.
Affirming our relationships in the UK community
The lead organisers of the event were the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM) and the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS). I found this a fantastic opportunity to meet and hear the thoughts of a large number of Chinese-born ATCM members, many of which were dual members of the BAcC. I really wanted to understand how we can work together as a single UK community, with both the Chinese and UK communities supporting each other for the benefit of acupuncture as a whole. I am pleased to say that everyone I spoke to was full of enthusiasm and optimism about the possibility for greater collaboration into the future.
Thanks go to Xing Mei, ATCM President, and the ATCM who put so much hard work into the event. The BAcC were delighted to be in support; and thanks also to Hannah Bowie-Carlin, BAcC Safe Practice Manager and Helen Chuntso, RCHM PR Officer who gave a wonderful musical performance to help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the ATCM.
Hannah Bowie-Carlin, BAcC Safe Practice Manager and Helen Chuntso, RCHM PR Officer performing at the gala dinner.
I greatly appreciated the opportunity to speak to the representatives of BMAS, Medical Director, Dr Mike Cummings, President, Dr Federico Campos and Editor of Acupuncture in Medicine, Associate Professor David Coggin-Carr. We had some very fruitful discussions on how our two organisations could leverage our interests and expertise for mutual benefit. The scientific focus of the BMAS journal along with their acute awareness of the language that most appeals to the medical and scientific community is an invaluable resource that can benefit us all. I think that there is an exciting emerging strategy, where the future direction of EJOM and the current direction of Acupuncture in Medicine can be clearly differentiated while being highly complementary components of a linked-up strategy.
Look out for Part 2 of the report on the WFAS symposium where Research and Policy Manager, Ian Appleyard, details his experience of giving a lecture and attending presentations from other speakers.
Yair Maimon with Alex Jacobs and and Dr Sung-Chol Kim
