ICN President attends international colloquium and discusses Brazilian nursing priorities with Cofen

Visit to Ribeirão Preto brings together leaders to discuss research, education and the advancement of nursing in the Americas

The President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano, is taking part in the XIX Pan American Nursing Research Colloquium, held from 26 to 30 October in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. The event brings together researchers and international leaders under the theme “Nursing Research and Implementation Science: Sustainable Solutions to Strengthen the Workforce and Health Systems.”

On Wednesday (28 October), Dr Cobos Serrano addressed the opening session and participated in the conference on “Leadership and Nursing Research,” alongside Benjamin Puertas, Chief of the Human Resources for Health Unit at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The session was moderated by Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura, Director of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing (EERP-USP).

Addressing participants, Dr Cobos Serrano highlighted the collective strength of the nursing profession, represented by ICN’s 30 million nurses worldwide, and its potential to drive change.

“We have the capacity to transform health systems. But we have to believe in that capacity ourselves,” he said.

He emphasized the vital role of nursing research in demonstrating the profession’s contribution to strengthening health systems and delivering practical solutions.

“That is what matters about research: that we provide solutions,” he told participants, urging nurses to use research to demonstrate their leadership in transforming healthcare.

His visit began on Monday (26 October) with a meeting with representatives of Brazil’s Federal Nursing Council (Cofen), an ICN member organization, to discuss nursing priorities in Brazil and across the Americas.

On Tuesday (27 October), the ICN President presented the organization’s perspective on nursing networks and the challenges for the next decade at the Meeting of International Nursing Networks. He also attended the meeting of the Pan American Network of Nursing and Midwifery Collaborating Centres (PANMCC), undertook a technical visit to EERP-USP and attended a performance by the University of São Paulo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Pedro II Theatre.

Held biennially by PANMCC, this edition of the Colloquium is organized by the PAHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development at EERP-USP, promoting scientific exchange and international cooperation.