The 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery (WCPCCS, or World Congress) was held Aug. 27 – Sept. 1, 2023 in Washington D.C. Children’s HeartLink had a major presence at the conference. This page gives an overview of our involvement and features presentation links and more information. Read our recap of the event to see pictures and learn about how it was a pivotal milestone for our organization.
Sign the Call to Action!
Join us by endorsing the Call to Action addressing the Global Burden of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases. The signed Call to Action was formally announced during the World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery and shared in advocacy meetings with key policymakers in Washington, D.C.
It calls upon all global health actors to protect and promote the health of all people with pediatric and congenital heart diseases with several key actions to improve recognition, access and investment in health services to address pediatric and congenital heart diseases:
- Increase capacity to care for people with pediatric and congenital heart diseases
- Build the pediatric and congenital cardiac workforce
- Close the data gap
- Finance pediatric and congenital cardiac care
View individual endorsements
View organizational endorsements
Read the Call to Action
Where to find Children’s HeartLink at the conference:
- The Global Health and Advocacy Village: in the exhibit hall at the 8th World Congress, we will gather with organizations and individuals from around the world engaged in humanitarian, advocacy, capacity building and education related to pediatric and congenital cardiac care to exchange ideas, learn and collaborate to develop best practices
- The Advocacy and Global Cardiac Health tracks of the conference
- Many Children’s HeartLink partners, volunteers and staff have been invited as faculty speakers, and are co-chairs of different tracks of the conference program
- The Landmark Lecture “Equity for All: It’s Time for a Population Health Approach to Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease” given by Bistra Zheleva on Wednesday, August 30, 7:30-9:15 AM
- Four poster boards from Children’s HeartLink staff members will be presented on Wednesday, August 30.
About the 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
The World Congress is an international meeting held every four years. It is known as the “Olympics of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery” and brings together professionals involved in the care of children with heart disease and congenital heart disease, including clinicians, individual advocates and organizations like Children’s HeartLink. It presents an opportunity to meet worldwide leaders in the field, learn about the latest innovations and participate in discussions, debates and plenary sessions by renowned speakers. The event had over 5,700 attendees in 2023.
Why is the 8th World Congress important?
At this world congress promoted and disseminated the Washington D.C. Call to Action on Addressing the Global Burden of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases, a new advocacy initiative highlighting the global inequities in in pediatric and congenital heart care. Developed by patients, families, clinical and policy experts, the call to action calls upon governments, multilateral organizations, funders, professional societies, research and teaching institutions, civil society, and the private sector for several key actions to improve recognition, access and investment in health services to address pediatric and congenital heart diseases. You can still sign here as an individual or organization to endorse the Call to Action on Addressing the Global Burden of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases.
Children’s HeartLink’s goals for the 8th World Congress:
- Educate and raise awareness about the burden of congenital heart disease (CHD) in low- and middle-income countries
- Advocate with various audiences at the conference and in Washington, D.C. for more attention and investment in CHD
- Elevate the work of our partner hospitals and support networking, learning opportunities and presentation submissions
- Raise the profile Children’s HeartLink as a thought leader with presentations and publications
- Network and connect with volunteers and partners
- Learn from leaders in our field
