3rd FOHNEU INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

 Congress Overview
The Finnish Association of Occupational Health Nurses (Suomen Työterveyshoitajaliitto – Finlands Företagshälsovårdareförbund, STTHL/FAOHN) and the Federation of Occupational Health Nurses within the European Union (FOHNEU) jointly organised the 3rd FOHNEU International Congress at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, from 25 to 27 September 2003. The theme, “Connecting Minds – Sharing the Vision,” grew out of a brainstorming session at the FOHNEU board meeting in London in autumn 2002, with the education group of FOHNEU shaping the programme and the FAOHN handling the practical arrangements. The Congress also marked a special milestone: ten years since FOHNEU’s founding in 1993, celebrated as an occasion of European collaboration among occupational health nurses.

Congress at a Glance 

 Opening Ceremony
The Congress opened in Room I under the chairpersonship of Anne Boström, President of the Organising Committee and FOHNEU Vice-President, and Maija Marjamo. Delegates were welcomed by:
● Anne Boström – President of the Organising Committee, FOHNEU Vice-President
● Liisa Hyssälä – Minister of Health and Social Services, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland
● Julie Staun – President of FOHNEU
● Birgitta Tarvainen – President of FAOHN

Main Theme and Programme
The scientific programme unfolded across parallel tracks over the three days, covering:
● Health Promotion and Health Programmes
● Psychosocial Risks and Stress (Free Paper Session)
● Sickness Absence and Work Ability (Free Paper Session)
● A Consultative Working Approach
● New Approaches and Closing Ceremony

Topics ranged widely across the field of occupational health nursing, including expatriate and travel health programmes, workplace risk management for small and medium-sized enterprises, absence management and rehabilitation, psychosocial wellbeing at work, the evolving expertise and working models of occupational health nurses, and health and safety management systems developed and led by nurses. A dedicated Finnish-language track also addressed themes such as health promotion, the decline of work ability, neuropsychological assessment, and the hardening of working life, for the benefit of the host country's delegates.

Social Programme
Delegates were welcomed by the City of Helsinki at a reception at City Hall (Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13) on Thursday, 25 September. The Congress Dinner took place on Friday, 26 September, at Restaurant Pörssi in the heart of Helsinki, offering an evening of celebration among colleagues from across Europe.

Closing Ceremony
The Congress concluded on Saturday, 27 September, under the chairpersonship of Julie Staun (Denmark) and Kirsti Herlin (Finland), with the session “New Approaches” followed by the Closing Ceremony and the Best Poster Award.

Programme Booklet

Congress Programme