BSAVA, CSAVA and USAVA help Ukrainians to attend EuroCongress
"We hope this initiative goes a small way to helping Ukrainian vets to retain and advance their veterinary learning" - Dr Krista Arnold, BSAVA.
The Czech, Ukrainian and British Small Animal Veterinary Associations (CSAVA, USAVA, BSAVA) have created a joint initiative to support Ukrainian veterinary surgeons who wish to attend EuroCongress 2022, taking place from 8 – 11 June 2022.
EuroCongress, taking place in Prague this year, is hosted by the Federation of European Companion Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), and provides veterinary professionals to share learning and professional development.
Ondra Cita, CSAVA president, said: “We greatly appreciate the creation of this joint initiative, which aims to provide moral and professional support to Ukrainian veterinary colleagues.
“We believe that their arrival in Prague and participation in the EuroCongress will be more than symbolic. We will be happy if it allows them to feel free and dignified, despite the incomprehensible aggression and war in their country.”
Ukrainian veterinary surgeons who would like to attend will have the attendance fee waived by the CSAVA, whether they remain in Ukraine or have had to flee. Virtual attendance is also an option, and is free-of-cost for Ukrainians.
A travel fund has been provide by the BSAVA, with up to £10,000 available to support Ukrainian veterinary surgeons who would like to attend the event in person.
Private accommodation with Czech colleagues will be provided where possible, and when not possible, the Ukrainian veterinary surgeons will be offered a free room in a nominated EuroCongress hotel.
USAVA president Dr Vladlen Ushakov commented: “The war did not force us to lay down our hands.
“Despite many veterinarians losing their homes and clinics, they have not lost their qualifications and professional desire to develop further.”
Dr Natalia Ignatenko, USAVA representative at FECAVA, added: “Veterinarians working in Ukraine and Ukrainian colleagues who are now in Europe are sincerely grateful to the CSAVA, the BSAVA, and FECAVA for the unique opportunity to participate in the FECAVA EuroCongress in Prague.
“We appreciate this important display of solidarity and moral support.”
Any Ukrainian veterinary professionals wishing to attend the congress – virtually or in person – will need to email FECAVA at fecava2022@guarant.cz with FECAVA – Ukraine as the subject line. Delegates have until 10 May 2022 to register.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
