Drowning Prevention Policy and Research Workshop
Dates: Saturday 19 – 20 November 2025
Location: TBC (Main Hotel or Alternate within close proximity)
Price: Euro 100 (covers meals and workshop venue)
Join us for the Drowning Prevention Policy and Research Workshop, a dynamic and informative event designed to make a splash in the world of water safety. This workshop brings together experts from high and low-income countries to dive deep into the critical aspects of drowning prevention policy and research. With a mix of presentations encompassing general principles, drowning data, health promotion, systems approaches, the development of water safety plans, implementation science and multisectoral strategies addressing determinants of health and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this workshop promises to be a comprehensive exploration of the field.
Participants can expect a highly interactive and engaging program that fosters the development of essential skills and knowledge. Through discussions, workshops, and collaborative activities, attendees will work towards crafting a conference declaration that outlines the future direction of drowning prevention efforts.
Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or advocate, this workshop will equip you with the tools and insights needed to make a real impact on global drowning prevention. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this important initiative and contribute to saving lives in and around the water. Join us at the Drowning Prevention Policy and Research Workshop and be a part of a significant movement towards a safer aquatic world.
Learning outcomes:
- Enhance understanding of drowning prevention: Participants will gain in-depth knowledge about drowning prevention, including general principles, drowning data, health promotion, and systems approaches.
- Examine multisectoral approaches to drowning prevention: Attendees will learn about the importance of multisectoral approaches to drowning prevention including addressing determinants of health, health promotion, systems thinking and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They will acquire insights into how various sectors can collaborate to create a safer environment around water bodies.
- Develop skills and work towards a Conference Declaration: The workshop will focus on skill development through interactive sessions. Participants will leave with enhanced competencies related to implementation science, evaluation, systems approaches, health promotion, policy and overcoming challenges in drowning prevention. Moreover, they will actively contribute to the creation of a conference declaration, shaping the future direction of global drowning prevention efforts.
Swimming and Water Safety Education Workshop
Half-day workshop (9-12pm)
Every school child has the right to basic swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills. Advocating to implement policy, practice and programs into education curricula is essential as it reaches a significant portion of the population and can be a powerful tool in addressing water safety education and drowning prevention.
WHO recommends basic swim skills and water training programs for children aged 6 years or older in high-, low- and middle-income countries. (WHO. 2021). Lack of basic knowledge, skills and poor attitudes are often the cause of drowning. Children are not taught the necessary skills to cope with an unexpected submersion that could lead to drowning. (Stallman et al. 2008, 372)
Currently, 91 percent of school-aged children attend primary school. Of these children and young adults, 72 percent complete their basic education, with approximately half also receiving secondary education. (Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, 2022).
School education therefore brings knowledge to a wide sector of the population.
It seems that the curricula (frameworks and their scope) vary a lot depending on the country. Some have national/centralized curricula and others regional/local curricula, while some not at all.
Classroom-based instruction in water safety can improve water safety awareness and children’s confidence. Given the large numbers who drown around the globe annually, lessons on water safety should be part of every national curriculum. (Tipton et al. 2021)
WE INVITE YOU TO DISCUSS AND SHARE IDEAS AND BEST PRACTICE CONCERNING NATIONAL CURRICULA AND WATER SAFETY.
The workshop will be half-day, starting with short expert presentations and a few examples from different countries followed by group discussions.