2007 was an exciting year for the Early Career Network. Two successful workshops were held on Qualitative research methods; a regional workshop in Sri Lanka in August and the ECN annual workshop at the APACPH Conference in Japan last November. The workshops were facilitated by Dr Ilse Blignault from the University of New South Wales, were well attended and feedback was positive.
The 2007 APACPH Conference in Japan also saw the launch of the ECN organised ‘Reflections’ photo competition. The exhibition made a big impact and five winners were selected from 54 images displayed. Congratulations to Geeta Pardeshi from India for winning first prize for the photo entitled ‘Existent Plights and Deprived Rights’.
Congratulations to Ashan Pathirana and Isurujith Liyanage from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka for organising this event.
Activities for 2008 are already at an advanced stage. The University of the Philippines will be the location for this year’s regional workshop. Discussions are also under way with representatives from the Hanoi School of Public Health, this year’s APACPH conference hosts.
The theme for this year’s regional and pre-conference workshop, as selected by ECN members, will be Health Advocacy. This theme was put forward in recognition that research must be translated into policy to have a real impact on health outcomes.
Another key activity for the ECN in 2008 is to establish an ECN newsletter that caters specifically for the needs of early career professionals. The first issue is due to be published in March. The ECN has previously facilitated training opportunities and support for its members to attend workshops and the APACPH conference and hopes to continue this service to its members in 2008. The network is indebted to its mentors, APACPH, conference and workshop hosts for supporting its activities.
APACPH members are urged to support the network by encouraging students and young staff to register, by assisting them to participate in ECN activities and by considering acting as a host institution for a regional workshop.
