International Health Conference 2025

The United Evangelical Mission (UEM), in collaboration with the Institute for Diaconia Science and Diaconia Management (IDWM), University of Bielefeld and the Institute Inclusive Education and Health, Evangelische Hochschule Darmstadt (EHD) are organising an international health conference.

“Promoting Sustainable Health: Challenges and Opportunities for Churches and Faith-based organisations. 

Health and Well-being is an important Diaconia theme that is cross-cutting among all other member churches. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This unprecedented global health crisis halted economic, social, and spiritual activities across the world. It exposed the vulnerability of our society, our health management systems, and our emergency response infrastructures. Health promotion and prevention education are fundamental to reducing the prevalence and incidence of diseases and fostering healthier communities. By prioritising health promotion, churches and faith-based institutions can address pressing issues such as the spread of communicable and non-communicable diseases, reduce stigma around certain health conditions, and create a more informed and resilient communities and congregations. It is through consistent and sustained efforts in health promotion that faith communities can not only prevent illness but also promote overall well-being—spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Conference Venue

The conference will take place in Bielefeld at Institute for Diaconic Science and Diaconic Management (IDWM) Bethelweg 8 · 33617 Bielefeld and Bielefeld University Campus

(Exact venue will be communicated later)

Conference date

The conference will be held from Monday, September 26^th to Thursday, October 5^th. The 3^rd of October will be used for excursion to the region. The dates include travelling from and to home country or town.

Conference Goals

The goals of the conference are to achieve the following:

• _{To explore and develop effective, actionable strategies for integrating health promotion and disease prevention programs into local congregations and faith-based communities.}
• _{To explore how health promotion can act as a catalyst for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.}
• _{To analyse and enhance the role of faith-based institutions in building resilient and sustainable health systems}
• _{To bring together diverse stakeholders to discuss and develop multidimensional solutions for complex health challenges}
• _{To provide a platform for international dialogue on sustainable and fair recruitment practices of health workers between the Global South and Global North (ethical recruitment)}
• _{To facilitate cross-sector collaboration between academia, health professionals, theologians, diaconal workers, and policymakers to strengthen international networks and share knowledge on health promotion, ethical recruitment, and overall well-being}.

Conference Specific Results

The conference is set to accomplish the following specific results:

• _{A set of actionable health promotion strategies for congregations and faith-based organisations is developed and adopted by conference participants.}
• _{At least 10 new international collaborations and partnerships between institutions, health professionals, and theologians are established.}
• _{A renewed commitment from UEM member churches to implement health promotion activities aligned with SDG 3 is signed by all participating churches.}
• _{A comprehensive framework for ethical recruitment of health workers is developed and endorsed by conference participants.}

Conference Target Audience

Target audiences for the conference are from the UEM member churches and their affiliate institutions from the following sectors:

Academia, Practitioners, Theologians, Policymakers

The organisers reserve the right to accept or reject any nominated participant who’s  profile and competencies are not fitting into the context of the conference theme and goals from UEM member churches.

The conference is equally opened for public participation upon successful registration.

Call for Abstract

Abstracts are welcomed for lectures, workshops or poster presentation. The content should relate to

1. the general direction of health promotion methods and strategies from local contexts of participants.

2.  specific topics including but not limited to the following:

• _{Health literacy}
• _{Reproductive Health,}
• _{Housing and Shelter,}
• _Ageing,
• _{HIV and AIDS,}
• _{Migration Health,}
• _Trauma, 
• _{Ethical Health Professional Recruiting}
• _{Community health nursing}

Abstracts submission  is now opened until June 30th, 2025. All abstracts should be submitted to: IntHealthConfe2025[at]vemission.org

Abstract for presentation should not be more than 1 page. The central aim of this conference is to stir up church and faith-based role in health promotion and to equip our churches to become health promoting churches and that is why your abstract should be related to your context on health promotion.

Weather

In the months of September through to November is the Autumn season in Germany and the weather forecast is set to be between 8 degrees Celsius at night/morning to 15 degrees Celsius in the daytime. This means that you must come along with sweaters or cardigan, jackets or coats and umbrellas. Think about bringing dresses made from cotton, wools or a blend of that. In summary, come along with warm clothes and shoes that will keep you warm and comfortable.

Contact:

For further information, kindly contact the conference organizers at:

E-Mail: IntHealthConfe2025[at]vemission.org