This summer I have had mini-reunions with old friends, former colleagues, and people I knew through shared projects. Our conversations have touched on career highlights and new opportunities in retirement. Two discussions focused on our shared involvement in a project in India as we reflected on the work and travels that began almost 25 years ago. I feel fortunate that I was asked to participate in the work of the Canada India Education Society (CIES) with the University of British Columbia School of Nursing in partnership with the Guru Nanak Trust and College of Nursing at Dhahan-Kaleran, Punjab. I served on the UBC-Guru Nanak partnership committee and worked with CIES as a consultant on a primary health care project from 2001 to 2005. Later, in 2011 and 2012, I accompanied colleagues on two visits to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in Faridkot, Punjab where we were invited to work with nurse educators, graduate students, and administrators. I remain grateful to have had such meaningful consulting projects and to have met so many interesting people through my work. There were memorable train trips and social events that we often recall when sharing stories as well as all the wonderful meals we enjoyed.
International Council of Nurses & World Health Organization
The International Council of Nurses held its 30th Congress in Helsinki in June. I was sorry to miss participating this time; however, I did appreciate seeing photos and comments posted on social media as well as the daily summaries on the ICN website. Thanks to colleagues who posted from Helsinki and filled me in later. I signed up for a live streaming of the opening and closing ceremonies and plenaries to view some of the congress highlights. I missed the social aspect I had enjoyed at past congresses and the interactive policy cafés on topical issues, plus poster sessions, and the interaction with ICN staff and board members.
There were sessions on the newly released State of the World’s Nursing 2025 Report (WHO 2025) and many other topics relevant to the future of the profession. The report features chapters on progress on the key global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery: jobs/employment; education; service delivery; and leadership. Five emerging policy priorities for 2026 to 2030 are outlined in Chapter 9:
Further develop advanced practice nursing roles to increase access to high quality health services;
Address gender-related bias, including equitable and competitive wages;
Harness the potential of digital tools and technologies to meet population and health system needs;
Empower nurses to contribute to the climate agenda through education, advocacy, climate conscious practice in health settings and leadership; and,
Provide tailored support for nursing education, employment and working conditions in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings. (WHO 2025, pp. 100-102).
Although the full report is a long document, the executive summary is easy to review and readers can zero in on the chapters of greatest relevance to their own interests and contexts. I appreciated the concise overview of policy priorities in the executive summary. The report concludes with renewed urgency to address global inequities in nursing in keeping with the Sustainable Development Agenda.
As this summer season in Canada comes to a close, I reflect on the value of time with family, the chance to see old friends, and many hours enjoying our community and garden.
By Nora Whyte – August 27, 2025