ICMART XIV World Congress on Medical Acupuncture, Riga, 2010

Dear Colleagues and Friends worldwide!

The Latvian Medical Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine Society warmly welcomes you to participate the World Congress of ICMART in Riga on May 28th -30th 2010!

The title of this International Event which will be held in the very heart of the Old City – in the majestic House of Blackheads is:
From „acupuncture ....... to ACUPUNCTURE!!!”

The Organizing Committee is of the opinion, that the motto of the Congress, though seems to be pretty ambitious, aptly summarizes the issues surrounding clinical research and practical application of Chinese Acupuncture, which are currently being debated worldwide.

There is a great demand for Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Acupuncture specifically, among our patients, and there is an increasing use of Medical Acupuncture within established biomedical settings, such as Universities, hospitals and medical schools.

At the same time there appears an urgency on the part of biomedical scientists and government bodies for more research in order to elucidate and understand the actual anatomo-physiological mechanisms which underlie Acupunctutre treatment. Calls for clinical efficiacy studies are also being heard.

An additional concern is the problem of standardization, not only for the methods used in in these medical techniques, but also the politically sensitive issue of standardization of the teaching and licensing of the acupuncture practitioners.

Our meeting comes at the critical moment.

It will be a rare opportunity to pause, discuss, debate and reflect on key issues for our emerging profession.
What do we offer and/or share with other medical traditions? What does it mean to be a profession? How should our institutions develop? How do we interact with governments and other colleagues-by-profession? How do we grow and become more responsible? What is our shared vision?

To formulate both personal and communal answers to such questions we need collective wisdom.
This Congress will bring together many of our most important intellectuals, leaders, some of our vital critics perhaps, and, most importantly, it will bring together our International Community.

We anticipate that this Congress of dialogue and inquiry will be a rare and very special Event.

We invite you to join us!


Sincerely,
Professor Nickolay A. Nickolaev – M.D., Ph.D.
The Chairman

Yes, Dear Colleagues and Friends of ICMART

Another Congress, another venue, another adventure. Every year for the last quarter of a century we meet to exchange information, to renew contacts, to strengthen our network. In 2010 the event is taking place in Riga, Latvia, a charming Baltic city. Our friend and past president, Professor Nickolay Nickolaev, and his association, will host the congress. I thank and congratulate him for his courage and endless energy.

I know that you will not regret this experience. During these few days in Riga you will have the opportunity to listen to new communications, to lecturers from all over the world, to assist workshops, look at posters and see the exhibition stands. You will meet friends and colleagues, have discussions and laughs, and discover ideas and techniques, in an exciting friendly and fruitful atmosphere. The congress venue is a renovated museum with a definite charm, in the centre of the city. You will be able to have drinks, walk in the streets of Riga and enjoy its pleasant atmosphere. To tell you the truth I have been many times to Riga and always enjoy going again.

I sincerely hope that you will be able to participate in this congress. It is part of the lifeline of ICMART, important for the association, for you and for medical acupuncture.

See you in Riga!



Acupuncturally yours,François Beyens
General Secretary