Some
thoughts on the 9th IPWSO Conference, Building Global Community
from Marguerite Hughes, Vice President, IPWSO
It is hard to know where to begin with describing
the 9th IPWSO Conference, hosted by FPWR Canada, which has recently concluded!
FPWR Canada rose with style to the huge
logistical challenge that was involved in organising a parents' program, a
scientific program, a caregivers' program, scientific workshops, a people with
PWS program, and a host of other meetings and events all across the course of a
single week. The smooth running of this complex event is a great testament to
their energy, skill and high standards.
The atmosphere at the conference was as impressive as the logistics with a genuine warmness and spirit of cooperation evident throughout the week. From conversations in lifts and corridors, to mealtime encounters and formal presentations, everyone seemed eager to help build the "global community" described in the conference's title.
As at every IPWSO conference the
opportunities for parents to interact with professionals and vice versa stood
out. So too did the many interactions
between people from different countries and cultures who educated each other on
how they manage PWS and the challenges they face. Everywhere I looked I saw
business cards being exchanged and suggestions being made as to how one person
or association could help another.
The gala, which was effortlessly hosted by
Keegan Johnson, included an array of special moments including well-deserved
awards for Dr. Suzanne Cassidy, who has worked tirelessly as IPWSO president
for the past 6 years; and Dr. Glenn Berall, for his outstanding work on behalf
of people with PWS in Canada . The
eloquent, humorous and truly inspirational speech by Megan Michie, who has PWS,
received the loudest applause of the night, although the beautiful singing by
Giorgio Fornasier and Monika Fuhrmann came a close second.
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| Jim and Joan Gardner at the IPWSO Booth |
Outside of the gala there were many inspiring
and touching moments too.
The speech by Dr. Tom Hughes, President and
CEO of Zafgen, which he made on the day after Zafgen announced it was ceasing
the development of beloranib in Prader-Willi syndrome, was surprisingly moving. Dr. Hughes promised that Zafgen would share
the information it had collected to help others engaged in drug development and
was warmly applauded by the large crowd as he left the PWS stage.
The presentation by Loisel and Marlen from
Cuba in which they spoke with passion about how, with help from IPWSO and
others, they have worked to bring the PWS community in Cuba together was one
that will stay in my memory for a long time to come. The standing ovation they received was as
warm an ovation as I have ever heard.
Later in the week at the IPWSO General Assembly the same couple
successfully bid that Cuba would host the 10th IPWSO conference in Havana in
2019.
Overall, it was a wonderful conference made
possible and successful only by the willingness of individuals and
organisations to work hard and cooperate in the interests of the global PWS
community. Congratulations to all involved!
At the end of the Conference, IPWSO held its General Assembly where the new board was inducted. We are sorry to say farewell to those members who have worked tirelessly for the past 6 years, but excited to introduce our new Board to you all.
Back: James O'Brien (Australia), Verena Gutman (Austria), Hubert Soyer (Treasurer, Germany) Mariona Nadal (Spain) Georgina Loughnan (AUstralia
Front: June-Anne Gold (USA) Tony Holland (President, UK), Marilyn Dumont-Driscoll (USA), Marguerite Hughes (Vice President,Ireland) Amalia Balart (Chile)
