An essay by Erin Asch, Student, USA
The World Veterinary Association evolved from a meeting in Hamburg, Germany, in 1863, which was convened by Professor John Gamgee of the Veterinary College of Edinburgh. He invited veterinarians from across Europe to a conference to discuss epizootic diseases and ways to control and prevent them. This was the first International Veterinary Congress, which later became known as the World Veterinary Congress. In Hungary, Budapest, in 1906, at the 8th World Veterinary Congress, it was decided an organizational link between Congresses was needed, and the Permanent Committee was formed to serve that purpose.

In 1953, at the 15th Congress in Stockholm, Sweden, members decided to create an international organization. The Permanent Committee worked to develop the Constitution of the World Veterinary Association. This was presented at the 16th Congress in 1959, held in Madrid, Spain, and the World Veterinary Association was founded. Today this association works with other international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Office of Epizootics (OIE), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The organization’s efforts focus on animal health and welfare, public health, and the environment.

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) is comprised of national veterinary associations from countries around the world, as well as international associations of veterinary specialists. After much consultation with member nations, its organization was restructured in 1996 in an attempt to more effectively reflect its constituency, with a new constitution adopted at the General Assembly in 1997. Instead of an executive committee made up of seven regional vice-presidents, its main bodies now are the President’s Assembly, the Council, and the Executive Committee.

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„King´s buried – long live the king“; while the last World Veterinary Congress in Cape Town stays deeply in our memories, prepares for coming World Veterinary Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, (17 – 20 September 2013) are full speed getting on now.

„The outline of scientific program and timeline for the sections together with allocation of lecturing rooms within the already hired Prague Congress Centre are currently known. At this moment we are communicating with heads of particular scientific streams or disciplines in order to address the best speakers for each topic“– said Dr. Jan Bernardy, head of the WVC scientific board.

„To meet the Prague WVC promotion plan, we expect to start the WVC promotion campaign at spring WSAVA Congress in Birmingham and to continue throughout the bigger professional events worldwide - being it species or discipline based international veterinary congresses, Conventions or Assemblies of WVA member Associations, or any other important professional events, gathering together colleagues that might be interested to come. The Prague WVC webpage www.wvc2013.com/en/ is continuously updated and we fill it with details as they come“– explained Dr. Karel Daniel, in charge of Prague WVC advance promotion.

„We have been an active member of WVA for years and years. The Czech Veterinary Chamber is relatively small professional association with some 3 thousand core members. With Prague WVC next year we cannot afford to fail. We are committed to success and we are ready to invest any effort to bring successful and high standard professional and social event to colleagues coming to participate from worldwide“ – confirmed Dr. Ondrej Rychlík, President of the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of Czech Republic.

„To help to build up scientific program, budget, promotion plan or sponsors management is different from profession to profession. Big human medicine congresses used to be more narrowly oriented – one discipline usually, with participants closely related by their professional domain. The program of the Prague WVC is planned for really large spectrum of professional or scientific interests. And vets themselves? Maybe a bit more pragmatic, a bit more business oriented than human doctors“ – commented Mrs. Zuzana Brychová, Prague WVC Secretary from GUARANT International, professional congress organiser company, contracted by the Czech Vet Chamber.

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Source:
Dr. Zoran Katrinka
National Delegate of Veterinary Chamber of Serbia in WVA
Following the invitation by Veterinary Chamber of Serbia, President of WVA Dr. Faouzi Kechrid and Immediate Past President Dr. Tjeerd Jorna visited Serbia from December 13th till December 16th 2011. During the official stay, they were welcomed by the executives of VCS, along with the prominent officials from two veterinary schools and other guests.

President of VCS Dr. Grgo Tikvicki and his team presented the organization of the Veterinary Service and Practice in Serbia, and the role of the Chamber, as the veterinary statutory body.

The current state of the veterinary profession was discussed in the open and honest manner, including achievements, shortcomings and problems. Presidents Kechrid and Jorna presented genuine interest, followed by detailed questions and useful suggestions for improving the level of veterinary services in Serbia.

From the left: Drs Jorna, Kechrid, Petrovic and Tikvicki

Download the application forms:

Application for National Membership

Application for Associate Membership

2012

National and Associate Country Members
1.66 Euro / paying member

Associate Members
500 Euro

Regional Veterinary Associations
500 Euro

Affiliate Members
6400 Euro

Individual Members
150 Euro

2013

National and Associate Country Members
1.75 Euro / paying member

Associate Members
525 Euro

Regional Veterinary Associations
525 Euro

Affiliate Members
6750 Euro

Individual Members
157.5 Euro