Improving global prehospital and emergency medicine, public health, and disaster health care and preparedness

Congress Overview

WADEM has seen education as a key role in its development and to this end convenes its biennial international Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine. The Congress provides a stimulating and interactive environment to present research and findings, exchange ideas and good practices, and network with colleagues. The congress features a core scientific program presenting the developments within the field of disaster medicine, prehospital care, and the health aspects of emergency management and complex humanitarian crises; focused meetings for the association’s various special interest groups and chapters; research workshops; and events for partner organizations (most recently the European Masters in Disaster Medicine and the WHO Mass Gathering Group in 2023).

Over the years key co-hosting organizations have included Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the Emergency Medicine Society of South Africa, Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, Chinese Emergency Medicine Society, and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Congresses are an excellent showcase for commercial sector and non-governmental sponsors and exhibitors.

The Congress is held on alternate years, preferably in different regions of the world. Proposals to hold the Congress are open to all countries and are generally received four years in advance. Proposals will be examined by the WADEM Selection Committee. The WADEM Board of Directors will select the winning bid based on the recommendations of the committee. The short-listed destinations will be asked to give a live presentation online using a platform such as Zoom. Site visits will be conducted for the two finalist destinations.

For further information about bidding to host a WADEM Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine, please review the Congress Overview document.

Congress Overview

Since the founding of WADEM, the following cities have hosted or will host the congress:

Location Year
Paris, France 2027
Tokyo, Japan 2025
Killarney, Ireland 2023 – moved from Dublin to Killarney as congress venue in Dublin was used for refugees from Ukraine
Tokyo, Japan 2021 – postponed to 2025 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Brisbane, Australia 2019
Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2017
Cape Town, South Africa 2015
Manchester, United Kingdom 2013
Beijing, China 2011
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 2009
Amsterdam, Netherlands 2007
Edinburgh, United Kingdom 2005
Melbourne, Australia 2003
Lyon, France 2001
Osaka, Japan 1999
Mainz, Germany 1997
Jerusalem, Israel 1995
Stockholm, Sweden 1993
Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1991
Hong Kong, China 1989
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1987
Brighton, United Kingdom 1985
Rome, Italy 1983
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 1981
Mainz, Germany 1979
Mainz, Germany (Club of Mainz) 1976