Page 8 - BackSpace October 2017

Convention
29 countries represented at ECU Convention 2017
Life is full of challenges. As European chiropractors found out earlier this year, one of them can be travel to and from the beautiful island of Cyprus. But 250 delegates overcame the logistical hurdles and gathered for an exciting and rewarding ECU Convention in Limassol at the end of May when, for a week, the Island of Love became the Island of Chiropractic Care.
FOR SOME their arrival at Larnaca airport coincided with an unseasonal thunderstorm that brought much-needed rain to a sun- drenched island. For others, the meltdown
of British Airways’ IT systems added to a
sense of idyllic remoteness. In the meantime, launched by the Mayor of Limassol, Mr Nicos Nicolaides, and under the watchful eye of Stathis Papadopoulos, president of the Cyprus Chiropractic Association, the proceedings began.
First was the presentation of the 2017 ECU Humanitarian Award, shared by Dr Dinos Ramon of Cyprus and Dr Sven Boehne of Italy (see page 5).
At the opening plenary session, Dr Bill Morgan, the recently appointed President of Parker College, delivered a clear and forceful message. Showing all the experience of a distinguished naval career, operating as chiropractor to Congress and to the White House, and with medical accreditation at
no fewer than five US hospitals, he was authoritative and compelling. “When you achieve a breakthrough,” he said, “always, but always, reinforce your success.” It was a message and a challenge right up to the mark for the profession in Europe right now.
There were people from 29 countries in the audience and from all continents, which confirmed the ECU Convention as the not- to-be-missed chiropractic event of the year in Europe. Over half of delegates had attended
in 2015 (Athens) and 2016 (Lillestrøm). Champion participants in the convention were delegates from Switzerland, both outstripping other nations in absolute numbers and in the proportion of Chirosuisse members attending.
In the follow-up survey of delegates, the
top rated plenary sessions were: Reconciling biomechanics with pain science from Greg Lehman, The clinical shoulder from the charismatic Olivier Gagey, Moving chiropractic into mainstream health care from Bill Morgan, and The future of chiropractic education, a three- way provocative discussion with Bruce Walker (Murdoch University), Gerry Clum (LIFE University) and Haymo Thiel (AECC).
We plan to showcase video extracts from the plenary sessions on the ECU website. But even better, put the dates in your diary to join in the 2018 Convention in Budapest on 25-27 May. The theme will be Chiropractic and the Seven Ages of Man. Make sure you’re there!
8 BACKspace www.chiropractic-ecu.org October 2017
All photos on this page © Øistein Holm Haagensen