Overall Conference Aim:

The World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011 (WCDP2011) aims to focus world attention on the global burden of drowning, with a specific emphasis on the epidemic of drowning deaths in developing countries. The WCDP2011 aims to draw together world leaders in water safety research, policy and practice in order to reduce drowning through collaboration in the context of lifesaving, public health, international development, water safety education, lifesaving sport and aquatic disaster reduction.

Conference Objectives

To strengthen recognition of ILS as the leader in the quest to reduce drowning in a lifesaving, public health, international development, water safety education, lifesaving sport and aquatic disaster management context.

To deliver a global conference in a way that exposes participants to the specific issues that contribute to drowning in a developing country including:

• Rural community drowning and prevention
• Transportation/occupational related drowning and prevention
• Aquatic disaster related drowning and prevention
• Tourism-related drowning and prevention.

To provide a world water safety conference that attracts participants from:

• Lifesaving related agencies from across the globe
• International, regional and country based public health agencies
• Water safety leaders and practitioners from developed and developing nations, men and women, English and non-English speaking backgrounds.
• A range of strategically critical disciplines; e.g. professional and volunteer lifesavers, educators, researchers, health promoters.

 To conduct a world water safety conference in a way that fosters ILS collaborative relations with:

• Targeted international, regional and national agencies including WHO, UNICEF, UNISDR and UNESCO
• Non-government organisations including TASC and Red Cross/Crescent Society
• Government and bilateral agencies (i.e. governmental agencies in a single country which provide aid to developing counties)
• International, regional and national public health agencies
• International, regional and national drowning prevention and lifesaving research institutions
• Organisations that teach swimming and water safety.

To utilise the conference (pre and post) to:

• Maximise the growth of the regional capacities of ILS, ILS Members Federations and collaborating partners across the full spectrum of ILS strategic interest.
• Drive the impetus for growth of lifesaving and drowning prevention in Vietnam.

To facilitate the incorporation of ILS Commission, Committee and Task Groups work plans into the conference planning and complementary activities that may include workshops, field trips and pre-conference training and education activities.