In December 2023, Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia co-hosted the World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP) at the Perth Conference and Exhibition Centre, Western Australia, from 4–7 December 2023.
Co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, WCDP 2023 brought together over 750 delegates from 50 countries, experts in drowning prevention, lifesaving, and water safety with the goal of Shaping Global Strategy and Mobilising for Action.
The conference came at a time of great momentum for global drowning prevention efforts, including:
- The United Nations General Assembly's adoption of a Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention in 2021.
- The upcoming debate at the World Health Assembly on a draft resolution for Drowning Prevention.
- The World Health Organization (WHO)'s announcement of the development of the first-ever Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention.
- WHO's plans to establish a Global Partnership for Drowning Prevention in 2023.
The conference featured a diverse range of themes reflecting the challenges and opportunities in reducing drowning worldwide, including:
- Drowning Burden
- Life Stages and Populations
- Swimming and Water Safety Education
- Aquatic Industry
- Coastal Safety
- Activities and Occupational Settings
- Medical Treatment and Injury
- Policy, Partnerships and Planning
- Global Health and Development Agendas
- Disaster and Climate Change
WCDP 2023 was a significant milestone in global drowning prevention efforts, reaffirming the need for international co-operation, equity and a youth-centered approach to achieve meaningful change.
World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2023 concluded with 750 friends, from 50 countries, all on stage.
In the hours after WCDP2023, the event team reflected on the wonderful week of conference activities. Four words keep being repeated and shared with us by you.
Joy – expressed in so many ways. The joy of meeting old friends, making new ones, seeing them and others shine - whether on stage, while supporting delegates or staging Koala’s. It has been our pleasure to host you all. The joy received in return - measured in smiles, in feedback and gratitude has been amazing. Thank you.
Diversity – expressed in thinking, and actions, and in presentations outlining new contexts and solutions for drowning prevention. We met people from Ghana to Finland, from Brazil and Bangladesh. We engaged and debated with diverse concepts until our brains hurt with excitement, and new connections.
Depth – expressed endlessly in a room full of people committed to a common purpose. Once a small and noisy crowd focused on education, rescue and prevention. The drowning prevention community grows deeper, adding layers of expertise with each new WCDP event. The conference, field trips and workshops experienced increasingly scientific approaches, not only in research streams but everywhere. We are learning to test, to measure and to reflect on the impacts of the things we love to do.
Legacy – expressed in the actions you take next. Great conferences are fun, engaging and form many new connections. Conferences with impact rely on delegates to take those connections and turn them into action. As you return home, and burst into the coming weeks, months and years, take this sense of joy, diversity and depth forward with enthusiasm. Do great things and help us ensure that WCDP 2023 is remembered for the impact it had on you, and others.
We are grateful to our event partners; Co-sponsors - the World Health Organisation, Event Partners – Business Events Perth, Business Event Australia, Reception Partner Bloomberg Philanthropies, scholarship partner – Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Research stream partner - Koninklijke Maatschappij tot Redding van Drenkelingen, all of the exhibitors.
2023 Abstract Book
More than 450 presentations and posters were delivered at WCDP 2023.
This work reflects a shared commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities of reducing drowning in all communities, nations, and regions.
These presentations cover every aspect of drowning prevention and water safety, from measuring and mapping the drowning burden; to addressing prevention in life stages, activities, places, and occupational settings; to advancing drowning prevention through policy, partnerships, and planning.
WCDP 2023 showcased world leading innovations in coastal safety, swimming and water safety education, and aquatic industry leisure management.
Sessions advanced the science of medical treatment and explored how we can confront the challenges of disaster and climate change.
2023 Conference Closing Statement
The organisers would like to leave you with three main ideas for consideration before the next meeting:
* Drowning prevention is multidisciplinary, multisectoral and bigger than any organisation or individual - seize opportunities to collaborate, grow, and continue to expand collective impact.
* Drowning prevention is increasingly an issue of equity, meaning the need for diverse voices is clear – prioritise those most affected, historically marginalised, and excluded; seek out different perspectives and work to create opportunities for new and inclusive forms of leadership.
* The drowning burden is disproportionately borne by those under 25 years of age - future drowning prevention efforts must place children, adolescents, and young people at the centre of decision making; include, listen, and centre youth in all aspects of drowning prevention.
In the time between now and WCDP2025, we encourage everyone to increase collaboration, create new knowledge, reach further into the communities most vulnerable to drowning, form new partnerships, especially with those not yet engaged in drowning prevention, and capitalise on this exciting time to be committed to eliminating drowning.
Several events provided the initial inspiration for Royal Life Saving Society – Australia to host the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011. Not least of these was the emerging data revealed at the World Water Safety Conference in Portugal in 2007 that showed 96 percent of drowning occurs in low and middle income countries (LMICs) - mostly in Asia - and mostly through everyday life, not recreation.
During that conference and in the months that followed, it became increasingly clear to RLSSA that the international drowning community would greatly benefit from the next ILS conference being held in a low and middle income setting. Vietnam was chosen under the guidance of conference partner The Alliance for Safe Children (TASC) as located within a region where the drowning burden is perhaps greatest; and it would offer conference delegates an provide an opportunity to experience firsthand, the challenges of preventing drowning in this context.
The Australian Government, who rarely sponsor conferences, were attracted by the opportunity to highlight the drowning burden in Asia, foster emerging research, and support Vietnamese and Australian collaboration and leadership.
Of particular importance was the role of the Government of Vietnam through the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and its Administration for Child Care and Protection. With leadership and support from UN agencies UNICEF and WHO Vietnam, MoLISA supported the WCDP2011 and continues to lead the Government’s Inter-ministerial Plan for Child Drowning Prevention.
The conference was supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and presented by the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia in collaboration with The Alliance for Safe Children (TASC).
The conference was opened by Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia who also visited one of SwimSafe Danang’s projects the following day. Her Excellency’s presence in Vietnam fostered significant goodwill between Australia and Vietnam, drawing a great deal of media coverage and consequently raising the issue drowning in LMICs.
The 435 delegates, who represented 52 countries, used the conference to develop a Global Platform to Reduce Drowning—a significant conference legacy—that will offer guidance to governments, NGOs and the lifesaving and aquatic industries sector, highlight areas for needed research, and form the basis of collaboration, as various agencies, organisations and individuals move towards a world free from drowning.
It was important for an international conference that championed drowning prevention in low and middle income countries to hear from individuals and organisations from those countries. Thus the Developing Countries Scholarship Fund was created to enable the attendance and participation of delegates from LMICs who would not normally be in a position to attend such a conference.
Contributions to the fund assisted in areas such as subsidising registration, travel and accommodation.
Contributions for the fund were received from the International Seminar Support Scheme (AusAID), the Australia–Malaysia Institute (AMI), the Council for Australia–Arab Relations, and Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. Forty-seven delegates were recipients of the Developing Countries Scholarship Fund, their presence adding diversity and a genuine perspective to the conference program.
10 Year Anniversary Webinar
Celebrating 10 year since WCDP2011 in Da Nang, this webinar hosted on Thursday 13 May 2021 reflected on the event, and where the issue of drowning prevention is today.
The webinar featured discussion about the historic first United Nations Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention. With guest speakers including:
- Dr David Meddings FRCP(C), MHSc, Department of the Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization
- Gemma May, International Advocacy Manager, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, UK.
- MPH. Doan Thi Thu Huyen, Country Director, Vietnam , Global Health Advocacy Incubator
- Dr Aminur Rahman, CIPRB - Bangladesh
- Ambassador Pete Peterson, TASC
Conference Declaration
The WCDP 2011 declaration represents a single milestone in our long held and shared ambition of a world free from drowning.
1. Framing the need for a Global Platform to Reduce Drowning
2. Guiding themes of a Global Platform to Reduce Drowning
3. The Framework for a Global Platform to Reduce Drowning
4. The Call to Action for a World Free from Drowning
The conference declaration calls to action international agencies, governments, national and sub-national, non-government organisations, research centres, donors and corporates. It encourages all those with an interest and dedication to reducing the burden of drowning in the regions, nations, provinces and communities of the world to dedicate their time and energy to collaboration.
Program and Proceedings
Includes the Program Snapshot and Abstracts including:
- Vietnam in focus
- Drowning in Low and Middle Income Countries
- Drowning Reseach
- Child Drowning
- Emergency Response and Medical Issues
- Advances in Lifesaving
- Swimming and Water Safety
- Partnerships and Programs
- Activities and Occupations
- Disasters and Climate Change
- Lifesaving Sport and Development.
