Preparation in full swing
The overwhelming response to the World Conference on Drowning Prevention has resulted in more than 250 papers and posters being accepted, creating a comprehensive agenda that will cover all aspects of drowning prevention. Registrations now exceed 300 and continue to climb. We anticipate that more than 400 people will attend the conference.
The presentations will address drowning in developing countries and child drowning interventions globally; swimming and water safety in the fields of recreation and sport, and the devastating impact of natural disasters and climate change; the advancement of lifesaving practices and emergency response and the heightened drowning risks associated with occupations and activities.
Thanks to the generosity of conference supporters, the Developing Countries Scholarship Fund is giving 70 people from developing countries the chance to attend the World Conference on Drowning Prevention. The scholarship recipients will draw on knowledge and experience normally difficult for them to access and leave the conference better equipped to create change in their home countries.
With such a diverse and comprehensive program, the World Conference on Drowning Prevention will benefit any and all people whose lives are associated with water: either through work or pleasure, or as practitioners, researchers or policy makers.
Each delegate will find the knowledge, experience and contacts gained at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention to be of invaluable and lasting benefit to them and the work they do.
REGISTER NOW - http://www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org/content_common/pg-Registration.seo
Registrations close 21 April 2011.
AUSTSWIM
Conference stream sponsor and trade exhibitor AUSTSWIM is Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of swimming and water safety. For over 30 years AUSTSWIM has set the standard for training and accreditation of swimming and water safety teachers.
“Having teachers all trained to an industry standard is important not just for the industry, but the community,” said Susan Sturt, Business Operations Manager at AUSTSWIM. “It provides quality assurance for parents, participants, employers and the industry that the teachers are all working at a recognised standard and one that is reviewed and monitored by the one organisation.”
The success of AUSTSWIM’s programs has led to their implementation well outside of Australia. Their training systems can now be found in Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and as far away as Dubai, with more to follow.
AUSTSWIM delegates will be presenting three papers at the conference. One of which, ‘AUSTSWIM – Providing Quality Training in Any Language and Culture’, was originally developed to cater to the needs of Australia’s indigenous communities and those for whom English (Australia’s national language) is not their first language. The training can be readily adapted to suit any CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) group and promotes swimming for general health and fitness, as an improvement to other sports ability, and for providing personal safety in aquatic environments.
AUSTSWIM are sponsoring the Swimming and Water Safety stream and will have a Trade Exhibit at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention.
Theme in Focus – Swimming and Water Safety
Swimming and water safety education has long been a feature of lifesaving programs in high income countries. These programs are driven by water safety agencies through school and community systems that seek to build skills with dual goals of protecting against drowning and preparing children for safe aquatic recreation activity.
The value of such a program has been in constant scientific debate. In recent years their role as part of comprehensive prevention programs has been acknowledged, with programs such as SwimSafe Bangladesh showing a significant impact in reducing drowning deaths.
The Swimming and Water Safety stream will cover the following areas:
• Advances in swimming and water safety
• Learning and education programs
• Research and program evaluation
• Catering for diversity in geography, demography, socio economic, ethnicity, gender and climate.
The conference will facilitate an informative mix of research, policy and practice in the area of swimming and water safety. Practitioners, particularly those working in this field will benefit from exposure to a program highlighting best practice, networking with researchers and practitioners alike, and presenting their work for review by their peers.
Conference Venue and Accommodation
The Conference will be held at the Furama Resort and Convention Centre, Danang which is located overlooking the famous China Beach.
Great accommodation rates have been negotiated with the Furama Resort for conference delegates. In addition, a wide range of hotels close to the conference venue that cater to all tastes and budgets can be booked via our Conference Travel Partner Exotissimo Vietnam via the Conference Website http://www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org/content_common/pg-Travel-PartnerEXOTISSIMO.seo
The special accommodation rates are valid only until 6 April 2011. After this day, rooms and rates will be confirmed upon hotel availability.
Please note: accommodation is filling fast at the Furama Resort. Rooms are limited. Please make your accommodation bookings now to avoid disappointment.
Important Travel Information
Travel Insurance
It is strongly recommended that participants take out travel insurance. No responsibility is taken by the conference secretariat for any person not holding insurance.
Delegates can easily book their travel insurance through Exotissimo Travel Vietnam via the Conference Website (http://www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org/content_common/pg-Travel-PartnerEXOTISSIMO.seo) with Essential, Comprehensive and Superior Travel Insurance options available to delegates to cover all travel booking arrangements.
Visa Advice
You must obtain a visa prior to arrival in Vietnam. Persons attempting to enter Vietnam without a valid visa are generally sent back to their last port of departure by Vietnamese authorities.There are countries which do not require a visa for entry. For a full and updated list please visit the Vietnam Tourism Website. (http://www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/useful/useful.asp) Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly.
Contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam for the most up to date information.
Please note: your passport must have at least six months validity remaining at the time of arrival in Vietnam.
Interactive Tour – Disaster Management
Natural disasters such as hurricanes, severe flooding and storm surges, affect millions of people annually. The recent floods in Pakistan and Australia and the tsunami in Japan have shown how unrelenting and devastating these disasters can be.
Managing disasters through preparation and the implementation of an agreed-to plan is a key factor in drowning prevention. On the Disaster Management interactive tour you will learn about current disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies and the challenges faced by those working in disaster risk reduction. You will learn of the impact disasters and climate change is having on drowning risk in Vietnam.
The Interactive Tours will take place on the afternoon of Thursday 12 May.
For further details regarding the Interactive Tours please visit the following program link:
http://www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org/content_common/pg-InteractiveTours.seo
Conference Dinner
The Conference Dinner will be held on Wednesday 11 May under the starry skies and beautiful backdrop of the world famous China Beach. Enjoy a night of fine food, entertainment, dancing and getting to know delegates from around the world. It will be the social highlight of the conference.The cost of the dinner is $75USD (not included in the conference registration). The ticket price includes an elaborate buffet-style dinner of quality local cuisine, and entertainment. There will be a cash bar on the night for drinks.
Partners are encouraged to attend.
Details
Time: 7:00pm–11:00pm
Dress Code: Smart Casual.
Dinner Cost: $75USD per ticket. Cash bar is available for drinks.
Tickets are available via the online conference registration process. Numbers are limited so best to register early! Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the conference registration desk prior to the event.If you have any special dietary requirements please advise the Conference Secretariat at Registration at the Conference Venue.
Important Planning Dates
Be sure to mark these important conference dates in your diary today:
21 April 2011 – Registration Closes
10 to 13 May 2011 – World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011
Contact Details
Conference Organisers
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia
PO Box 558, Broadway NSW 2007
Phone: +61 2 8217 3111
Fax: +61 2 8217 3199
Email: WCDP2011@rlssa.org.au
Website: www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org