As 2021 draws to a close, on behalf of the IFNA boardm I wish to thank all IFNA members including the Committees, Chapters and Committee Chairs, and Kassalen Meetings and Events, for your belief in and continual and precious support of IFNA, and for generously giving your time, expertise and wisdom to drive the work of IFNA. Without such support we could not continue advocating so successfully for families and family nurses worldwide.
In 2021 we enjoyed our first virtual conference (IFNC15) which despite the enforced separation of the pandemic, was very successful. Many members described the joy of virtually meeting like-minded people and sharing experiences, successes, and challenges.
As I write this message, COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy, is taking place only 150 miles from my home in England. The city of Glasgow in Scotland is the official city host with delegates attending from over 200 countries. COP26 involves over 30,000 people who are representing businesses, non-governmental organizations, faith groups, families, health professionals (including nurses), and many more citizens of the world. COP26 brings parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. On the news each day we see many examples of family members and nurses advocating at COP26 for a sustainable and resilient future for our precious globe. As an association, IFNA has already shown a proactive commitment to the promotion of planetary health. It is very timely therefore that IFNA is hosting a year-long blog series in 2021 to raise awareness of the IFNA Position Statement on Planetary Health and Family Health and to promote action by us all. The statement and the year of blogs was launched on Earth Day 2021, each blog focuses on one of the nine essential activities in the statement; on behalf of IFNA I sincerely thank Paula Nersesian and Wendy Looman for leading this amazing effort.
Many of you will be preparing for this holiday season, a very special time of the year, and I hope that despite the challenges of the global pandemic you will have time to personally or virtually enjoy the company of family and friends. I urge you to reflect on these special moments and to savour your relationships cultivated over the years. May you be safe, happy, and healthy in 2022.
Kind regards
Veronica M Swallow
President, International Family Nursing Association (IFNA) and Co-Lead of the IFNA – UK and Ireland Chapter