On Monday morning, 0900, 30 August 2010, the opening ceremony for the 63rd Annual United Nations Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization (DPI/NGO) Conference was held in the beautiful Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Center in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Of the more than 1,600 participants attending, representing more than 350 NGOs from 70-plus countries, more than 650 are health specialists who represent more than 200 NGOs. As participants prepare to address the conference theme, “Advance Global Health: Achieve the MDGs,” the more than 100 media outlets in attendance are committed to spreading the word to the rest of the world.

Red light gives way to yellow as the “sun” rises over eight “boulders” at the 63rd Annual NPI/DGO Conference. Each boulder represents a Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

Mary Norton, chair of the conference, with the author, Joanne McGlown.

Holly Shaw, one of three STTI representatives eligible to access United Nations facilities and attend open meetings and NGO briefings, converses with Ross Roberts-Thomson, president of the Australian Medical Students’ Association.

The Convention Center is itself a mini-UN, with many attendees wearing the colorful dress of their native countries.  As aboriginal artists and musicians welcomed this mini-world to Melbourne through a cultural interpretation that included music, opera and dance, red stage lighting gave way to yellow as the “sun” rose over eight “boulders,” each with a logo representing one of the eight MDGs. As the haunting music of didgeridoos filled the large conference hall, each speaker recognized the “original custodians of this land on which we stand, and all the elders past and present.”

Observing that “the fate of nations is inherently linked to the health of their people,” Kiyo Akasara, head of the U.N. Department of Information, informed delegates that we are not making sufficient progress to reach MDGs 4, 5 and 6 and are falling short in fighting communicable diseases not addressed by the MDGs. He asked them to explore ways to make faster headway in meeting the goals.

As a member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), I was very proud when Mary Norton, also a member of STTI and professor and associate dean for global initiatives at Felician College, took the stage as chairperson of this important conference. She reminded us that the Alma Alta Declaration, issued in 1978, addressed “literacy, nutrition, housing, contaminated water and those who die from natural and manmade disasters.” For those of us who ask, “What can I do to help address the MDGs?” Norton’s response is, “All MDGs address the health of the world. Now, let us begin our work!”

Sigma Theta Tau International is the only nursing organization with a presence at this conference. Holly K. Shaw, PhD, RN, who, along with President Karen Morin and me, is one of three STTI representatives eligible to access United Nations facilities and attend open meetings and NGO briefings, was invited to host an exhibit booth. In doing so, she is representing her school, Adelphi University, but is also representing STTI and is supporting our organization. Holly is a very popular person, well known to the U.N. staff. This is evident even half a world away from New York City! During breaks, many attendees crowd in to speak with her about nursing, and STTI print materials are available for their review. It is encouraging that everyone here truly seems to understand how crucial the role of nursing is to ensuring the health of the world. Today, as every day, I am very proud to be a nurse, and proud to be a member of STTI and our global community of nurses.

And so the conference begins. For the next three days, we delegates will be the “voice for the voiceless” as we attend and participate in various sessions. More importantly, the executive committee of the NGOs has invited comment on a draft “declaration” related to the MDGs and global health. Much work will occur on the document over the next two days. One small thing worth noting was a comment on item 1 on the first page that referred to “citizens.” The speaker reminded us that many of those in greatest need are not citizens, and to limit this declaration to citizens alone is to not provide health care to a large population in need. Thus, rightfully so, every word in this declaration is important.

I will be posting observations and pictures, and the editorial team of Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL) will assist me in this pilot program as I attempt to share this conference with you.

Good day, for now. RNL

K. Joanne McGlown, RN, PhD, FACHE is global business development director, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Melbourne report: Day 2
Melbourne report: Day 3