2024 End of Year Greetings from the ICN President
Dear colleagues,
This incredibly active year is coming to a close and I would like to thank all of you who have supported ICN and nursing throughout the year!
ICN is the global voice of nursing and we have raised that voice again and again this year, at the highest levels such as the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Summit of the Future, the World Health Assembly and COP29, among others.
One of our major areas of focus this year was the protection of health and care workers, particularly in areas of conflict. Our humanitarian work through our #NursesforPeace campaign has become one of our major pillars of work.
We have been in close contact with national nursing associations in Ukraine, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Sudan, Myanmar and Afghanistan. And I have personally written to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, asking for firm and decisive action to be taken to prevent the continuing illegal attacks on nurses and health care facilities in war zones around the globe.
As you know, ICN's mission is to represent nursing worldwide, advance the nursing profession, promote the wellbeing of nurses, and advocate for health in all policies. We advocate for human rights, justice, and social justice in all we do regardless of one’s race, religion, or politics. Our aim is to support all nurses to continue to care for their patients and improve health systems.
It is with this in mind that, as 2024 comes to an end, we ask you to please help us to support the nurses of the world, to care and protect them, by donating to our #NursesforPeace campaign and clicking on our Donate button (see below)! This is truly a time to think about peace on Earth and we can all play a part.
You can find out more about the campaign and ICN’s humanitarian work in our latest #NursesforPeace Update which is also available on our website.
To our members and the nurses around the world who are caring for their communities, in all situations, I would like to thank you for your service, your commitment, determination and your unwavering dedication to your patients!
I also take this moment to invite you to attend the ICN Congress to be held in Helsinki, Finland, from the 9-13th of June next year. Our theme, “Nursing Power to Change the World” will amplify the influence and impact of the amazing work you all do as you care for others, our communities and the planet.
I hope to see you in Helsinki.
Thank you and I wish you all the best for 2025!
Dr Pamela Cipriano
International Council of Nurses President