June 2005

WCA files progress report with United Nations

submitted by Dr. Christopher Kent

The World Chiropractic Alliance has filed its quadrennial report with the Public Information Office of the United Nations, providing information on its activities as an Non‑Governmental Organization (NGO). One of the WCA's primary functions is to publicize the efforts of the United Nations in bringing health care to nations around the world.

The WCA was granted status as a NGO in 1998. It was 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 report was filed by Christopher Kent, D.C., a member of the World Chiropractic Alliance Board of Directors and the Main WCA NGO Representative

Organization: World Chiropractic Alliance

Goal: A vision of worldwide wellness.  The world Chiropractic Alliance was founded in 1989 as a non‑profit organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening chiropractic around the world.

Description of information programme:

The World Chiropractic Alliance is pleased to offer the following report of our activities to promote knowledge of the United Nations' principles and activities.

General information is also available at our web site: http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org.

Publications

The Chiropractic Journal is a monthly publication with a readership of approximately 70,000. It is sent to every known practicing chiropractor in the world. Per your request, links are provided to the archived articles, so that you may access them in electronic format. Articles in The Chiropractic Journal relating to the UN from 2002 through April 20, 2005 include the following:

July 2002.  A front‑page article with photograph described a WCA meeting in Geneva with WHO officials to discuss international guidelines for chiropractic. http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2002/jul/jul2002b.htm

July 2002.  Chronology of cooperative events between the World Chiropractic Alliance, the UN, and WHO is published. http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2002/jul/jul2002i.htm

October 2002. A front‑page article with color photograph reported on WCA's continuing work with WHO. http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2002/oct/oct2002d.htm

July 2003. Article published titled, "Swiss, Irish D.C.s named WCA liaisons to WHO." http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2003/jul/jul2003f.htm

November 2003. Article is published titled, "WCA reps meet with WHO officials." http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2003/nov/nov2003b.htm

January 2004.  Article is published titled, "United Nations official addresses chiropractic students." http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2004/jan/n.htm

April 2004. Article is published titled, "WCA Board member attends WHO Consultation." http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2004/apr/h.htm

August 2004.  Article is published titled, "WHO keeps chiropractic, osteopathic guidelines separate." http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2004/aug/h.htm

September 2004.  Article announcing the opening of UN DPI/NGO interactive website. http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2004/sep/o.htm

March, 2005. Article is published titled, "WHO develops chiropractic training, safety guidelines." http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2005/mar/d.htm

Workshops and Seminars

Discussion of United Nations issues and chiropractic involvement have been featured at WCA seminars, as well as those presented by WCA members.

Presentation at the annual assembly of the Commission on the Status of Women

WCA co‑sponsored, with the NGO Health Committee, a program, "Perspectives on Chiropractic Care in Women's Health and Quality‑of‑Life." Presenters included Drs. Veronica Gutierrez, Madeline Beherendt, Theresa Warner, and Christopher Kent.

A report describing the activities of the WCA as an NGO was presented at the WCA Annual Summit in Washington, DC March 1‑4, 2001 and April 11‑13, 2002.

Report on UN activity presented at World Chiropractic Alliance International Summits.

WCA's Main Representative presented a report of UN and WHO activities at the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 WCA Summits.

WEBSITE

A United Nations section has been added to the WCA web site, featuring annual reports on WCA activities involving the UN, and an overview of how the UN works.

Visit http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org  and click on "United Nations."

WCA has promoted the opening of the UN DPI/NGO interactive website.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Briefings. WCA has had a representative in attendance at the Thursday briefings an average of approximately once per month.

Annual DPI/NGO Conferences. WCA's Main Representative attended the DPI/NGO annual conferences since our affiliation.

NGO Health Committee. The WCA Main Representative was elected chairperson of the NGO Health Committee for a term ending 2003. Following his term as chairperson, he has continued to serve on the executive committee. During his administration, the NGO Health Committee was incorporated as a non‑profit corporation, and was granted 501(c) (3) status by the Internal Revenue Service. It has since become recognized as an NGO in its own right by ECOSOC.

Fulfillment of our Responsibilities