An Insider's View of a World Congress

An Insider's View of a World Congress

　　An international congress conjures up excitement and expectations. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists'（WFOT）congresses occurs every four years with a prolonged path of activities that eventually crescendo with the opening ceremony. The 16th Congress was no exception and in fact it was one of the most anticipatory events once the announcement was made that the Emperor and Empress of Japan would attend. The Congress was a shared event with the 48th Japanese Occupational Therapy Congress and Expo and in collaboration with the Science Council of Japan who made the invitation to their majesties a possibility. Excitement was high when the confirmation was given as we understood the significance of their Majesties' acceptance. We knew what an honor it was for them to attend the opening ceremonies as well as visit the exhibit hall and preside over of private reception for sixty individuals.

　　Thirty WFOT Delegates including the Executive and an equivalent number for Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists（JAOT）were invited. Their Majesties graciously spoke personally to all those individuals introduced. As President, the highlight for me was greeting the Emperor and Empress on their arrival with the President of JAOT and the Chairperson of the Japanese Science Council. The then WFOT Executive Director and Congress co-convenor Marilyn Pattison, whose personal reflections on the experiences leading up to and about the Congress itself follow, spoke at length with their Majesties during the reception.

　　An international congress conjures up excitement and expectations. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists'（WFOT）congresses occurs every four years with a prolonged path of activities that eventually crescendo with the opening ceremony. The 16th Congress was no exception and in fact it was one of the most anticipatory events once the announcement was made that the Emperor and Empress of Japan would attend. The Congress was a shared event with the 48th Japanese Occupational Therapy Congress and Expo and in collaboration with the Science Council of Japan who made the invitation to their majesties a possibility. Excitement was high when the confirmation was given as we understood the significance of their Majesties' acceptance. We knew what an honor it was for them to attend the opening ceremonies as well as visit the exhibit hall and preside over of private reception for sixty individuals.

　　Thirty WFOT Delegates including the Executive and an equivalent number for Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists（JAOT）were invited. Their Majesties graciously spoke personally to all those individuals introduced. As President, the highlight for me was greeting the Emperor and Empress on their arrival with the President of JAOT and the Chairperson of the Japanese Science Council. The then WFOT Executive Director and Congress co-convenor Marilyn Pattison, whose personal reflections on the experiences leading up to and about the Congress itself follow, spoke at length with their Majesties during the reception.