International Conference on Prevention of FASD

About the First International Conference on the Prevention of FASD

23 – 25 September 2013
Edmonton, Alberta

IHE hosted the First International Conference on Prevention of FASD, September 23 - 25, 2013 in Edmonton, Alberta. More than 800 people were in attendance, including global experts and leaders in the health system, government, and the academic and business communities.

Download the International Charter on the Prevention of FASD

Well-known speakers from around the world presented facts and findings from research, and described innovative approaches to prevent harm from alcohol use during pregnancy.

The objectives of the conference were to:

  • Share experiences of effective strategies to prevent harm from alcohol use during pregnancy.
  • Contribute to the development of appropriate approaches to primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, and identify the most important tools for effective prevention of FASD at different levels of the health, educational, social and justice systems.
  • Assist public policy- and decision-makers by providing evidence on strategies for prevention of FASD in both the short and long term.
  • Discuss and seek resolution on many controversial issues surrounding FASD.
  • Increase public awareness of the need to prevent harm from alcohol use during pregnancy.

It is envisioned that the International Conference on Prevention of FASD could become a bi-annual event focusing on a different theme of prevention every two years.

The conference opened with a keynote address from The Honourable Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta.

Other notable attendees:

  • The Honourable Marguerite Trussler, Chair of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and former Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench, chaired the Steering Committee on Alberta FASD Initiatives, which oversaw the development of the conference, as well as a separate Consensus Development Conference on Legal Issues of FASD.
  • The Honourable David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, shared his perspective on FASD Prevention.
  • The Honourable Frank Oberle, Alberta Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities.
  • The Honourable Fred Horne, Alberta Minister of Health.

Downloads