In other words, chiropractic students need to see a bigger picture than is sometimes evident in the midst of the bustle and business of attending classes, studying for exams and surviving clinical internships. WCCS AND THE BIG PICTURE The World Congress of Chiropractic Students (WCCS) is one group dedicated to getting this work done amongst tomorrow’s leaders now, before they step out into the reality of practice. At the crux of this, a key point within the congress’s mission state-ment reads as follows: “The congress has always been student-driven, inclusive, and has striven to develop greater unity in the global profession.” Students from around the world attend some, or all, of the many WCCS meetings throughout the year, with a focus on making it to the annual international congress. The WCCS also recently convened in conjunction with the congresses held every two years by the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) in order to encourage dialogue amongst current leaders in the profession. In bringing together chiropractic students within a student-driven environment, this group is able to foster under-standing on a number of key issues facing the profession while contributing to the formation of policy and practice within chi-ropractic on a global level. icas Regional Event organizer, active membership consists of over 10,000 students, from more than 20 chiropractic colleges worldwide, whose purpose it is to unite the global chiropractic profession through inspiration, integrity and leadership. The group defines 12 objectives that are meant to streamline its goals and vision with respect to this purpose. (These can be found on the WCCS website at www.wccsworldwise.org.) Through its various committees, the WCCS is also actively involved in developing programs that, while fulfilling the needs of the organization, reflect the development of chiropractic and its students worldwide. Examples of these are the International Mobility Committee, the Chiropractic Humanitarian Assistance Program and the Blue Trunk Library. A LOOK INTO A WCCS MEETING This year, the Life West Chapter of the WCCS held the first Americas Regional Event in Hayward, California. Bulosan tells Canadian Chiropractor: “The event was recognized as a ‘game-changer’ for many of the attendees and prestigious guests. Chi-À«À>VÌVÊ ÃÌÕ`iÌÃÊ vÀÊ £ÎÊ ÃV ÃÊ Ê vÕÀÊ VÕÌÀiÃÊ Ê ÌÜÊ continents were present. High-profile speakers/guests included Drs. Arno Burnier, Heidi Haavik, Brian Kelly, Gerry Clum, Keith Overland, Joel Alcantara, Mike Flynn, Liam Schubel and Frank Sovinsky, co-author of The E-Myth Chiropractor. “The event addressed many hot topics regarding chiroprac-tic education, research, politics and business, all the while “The congress has always been strengthening unity amongst chiropractic students around the world. The real magic happened at each breakout session with student driven,inclusive, and has WCCS alumni leading discussions and creating proposals and striven to develop greater unity action steps to ensure that ideas become reality. in the global profession” “While we had hoped to make an impact with this event, we had never dreamed of it shaking the very foundation of how we serve as chiropractors. The weekend took the best-of-the-best BUT FIRST, A LITTLE HISTORY The WCCS is a not-for-profit group that first convened in Chi-from each chiropractic school and organization, and created an V>}ÊÊÌ iÊv>ÊvÊ£Ç{°Ê�c;ii}>ÌiÃÊ>ÌÊÌ ÃÊiiÌ}ÊÜiÀiÊvÀÊÌ iÊ atmosphere of growth and understanding. The transformation United States and Canada. Although this first attempt was con-that occurred at this event will contribute to the success of chi-sidered stimulating, the congress then remained inactive until ropractic for many years to come!” Attendees at the event were, generally, more than satisfied £Ç°Ê-ViÊÌ i]Ê ÜiÛiÀ]ÊÌÊ >ÃÊ}>Ì iÀi`ÊiÌÕÊ>`]ÊÌ -day, holds national and regional meetings that offer several op-by the experience. Lauren Donbar of Parker University in Dal-portunities for networking and dialoguing for its members and las, Texas, says, “Thank you WCCS-Americas regional confer-ence for reigniting my fire!!” Coming all the way from North-any chiropractic student who would like to become involved. The congress is currently divided into four main regions – western University, Heidi Henson notes, “What a phenomenal Africa, Americas, Europe and Western Pacific – and each school conference – a huge success!” within these regions has a WCCS chapter. Catherine Bezeau, a student from the Université du Qué-Each year the congress convener (host region) has the op-bec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) chiropractic program, discusses portunity to host the global chiropractic student community attending a WCCS congress: “When we meet during the con-in a region chosen by the congress. Conveners have an oppor-gress, everything is very formal and professional. For a week tunity to highlight their college, teach their peers about their we are reunited with our peers from around the world, excited history and their chiropractic perspective, and lend their guests about all the amazing things to come! We work hard all day a taste of life in their home country. In 2011, the WCCS con-long, talking about all the proposals that every college and vened in Rio de Janeiro, in concert with the WFC – this repre-chapter has prepared, and we have great speakers inspiring us! sented a break from tradition as, for the first time, the congress In the evening, we enjoy the company of all those people who was not held in the convener’s home region. The WCCS will be are actually our friends, even though some of us hardly know iiÌ}ÊÊVÕVÌÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ7 �a;Ê>}>ÊÊÓä£ÎÊqÊÃÌÕ`iÌÃÊ each other.” will strive to get themselves to Durban, South Africa, in order to meet with prominent minds in the profession there. In the CANADIAN INVOLVEMENT IN WCCS meantime, Murdoch University will be hosting the 2012 con-The WCCS has chapters in Canada that comprise a number of students from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College gress in Perth, Australia. According to Addison Bulosan, Life West student and Amer-(CMCC) and the chiropractic program at UQTR. In addition, www.canadianchiropractor.ca CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR \*5,9�f;!5'534 s
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor July/August 2012: Page 9
