Working together

A chronology of cooperative efforts between the World Chiropractic Alliance, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.

1998

	The WCA is granted status as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with the Department of Public Information (DPI). It is chosen because of its strong public information outreach. In coming to its decision, the Department reviewed many of the publications produced by the WCA, including The Chiropractic Journal, the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research and Health Watch.
	The WCA names Board of Director member Christopher Kent, D.C., as its NGO liaison and Director of WCA's International Affairs. Dr. Kent joins the NGO Health Committee.

1999

	Dr. Kent is elected Treasurer of the NGO Health Committee.
	The WCA presents an educational session on "The Role of Chiropractic Care in Global Wellness," during the 1999 "International Conference of NGOs" in Seoul, Korea. Making the WCA presentation is William Ralph Boone, Ph.D., D.C., WCA director of research & education and then-acting head of the New Zealand School of Chiropractic, accompanied by WCA member Graham Dobson, D.C., of Australia. This was the first time a presentation on chiropractic was offered to the global health care community via the U.N.'s NGO system. It also gave WCA representatives a valuable opportunity to meet health care officials from many countries and to begin establishing lasting relationships with them.
	The Chiropractic Journal publishes full page reports by Dr. Kent, providing detailed information on such topics as:

.... The World Health Organization and opportunities for collaboration
.... How the United Nations works
....The International Narcotics Control Board
....The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Dr. Kent attends an orientation program for new NGO representatives, as well as NGO meetings on issues as far-ranging as "Caring Communities for the 21st Century" and a briefing with representatives of World Information Transfer, the American Medical Women's Association, the International Health Awareness Network, and the Women's Federation for World Peace.

2000

	Invited by WHO to discuss how chiropractic can play an important part in global health and wellness, WCA President Dr. Terry A. Rondberg and Dr. Kent travel to Geneva to meet with WHO officials, including Dr. B.P. Kean, Director of External Cooperation and Relations; and Dr. Xiaorui Zhang, Team Coordinator for Traditional Medicine.
	WHO officials deny any exclusive or special relations between WHO and the World Federation of Chiropractic and state they are eager to work with the WCA on the same basis as they do with the WFC.
	Called upon to research and present information on the licensing and legal status of all nations and give information on the number of D.C.s licensed and/or practicing in each country, Dr. Kent creates a special comprehensive "Power Point" presentation for the WHO. The presentation helps provide WHO officials with much-needed background information on the current situation of chiropractic around the globe. It represents the first of several planned joint projects of the World Chiropractic Alliance and the WHO.
	A WCA representative attends the 53rd Annual DPI/NGO Conference and reception featuring U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

2001

	The WCA gives a Women's Health presentation at United Nations Headquarters. Representatives of the WCA and the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research present a two-hour program titled, "Perspectives on Chiropractic Care in Women's Health and Quality of Life" during the 45th Annual Assembly of the Commission on the Status of Women. Presenters include WCA members Drs. Veronica Gutierrez, Madeline Behrendt, Christopher Kent and Theresa Warner.
	Dr. Kent is elected Chairman of the NGO Health Committee. The NGO Health Committee is made up of 100 members from 18 countries.
	The WCA develops and submits a document on chiropractic education and training, as well as important safety issues, at the WHO's request. The WHO says it will use the document, "Guidelines on Training and Safety in Chiropractic," when preparing its global policy on chiropractic care.

2002

WCA International Board of Governors member Matthew McCoy, D.C., meets with WHO officials in Geneva to discuss the development of international chiropractic guidelines.