Want more critical physiotherapy at WCPT in 2017?

It's only a few months since the last WCPT meeting in Singapore, but plans are already taking shape for the next Congress.

Over the last few days, WCPT has been asking what people want in South Africa, and calling for some input from the broader physiotherapy community.  So it would seem like a golden opportunity to push for more activities, forums, opportunities and speakers who can promote critical thinking and practice.

There is a Survey Monkey poll that you can complete here (deadline 7th October), and WCPT has announced its Scientific Committee - the people who will decide what gets into the programme and what doesn't.

The committee comprises:

• Professor Dina Brooks (Chair)

• Jonathan Quartey (Africa Region)

• Leigh Hale (Asia Western Pacific Region)

• Charlotte Häger (European Region)

• Dianne Millette (North America Caribbean Region)

• Edgar Hernandez (South America Region)

• Hans Hobbelen (WCPT subgroups)

• Witness Mudzi (Host organisation, South African Society of Physiotherapy)

You can find a summary of their work and interests here, and what is clear is that they represent a broad spectrum of clinical, scientific (and in Dianne's case, health policy) perspectives.

Its less easy to see who will be the natural advocate for subjects like critical theory, disability studies, educational theory and pedagogy, embodiment, histories of the present, critical professional studies, medical humanities, philosophy of practice and social theory though.

So if you would like to see more greater prominence given to these things, and think the next Congress would benefit from more critical physiotherapy, now's your chance to act!