Naturopathy, as a health science discipline focused on promoting health and activating the salutant's self-management potential through the Vis Regeneratrix Naturae, is at a crucial moment in its development in Europe. The vision of a unified profession, with harmonized qualification standards and full capacity for free movement of Naturopathic professionals within the European Union, is an ambitious but achievable goal. The VI European Congress of Naturopathy, organized by the European Committee of the Naturopathic Profession in collaboration with the World Naturopathic Federation, on August 16 and 17, with a virtual venue in Budapest (Hungary), is not just an academic event; it is a catalyst for the construction of this common European space.
This congress represents a unique opportunity for all professional Naturopathic entities in Europe to unite in a collective effort. The consolidation of a common front is indispensable to overcome regulatory challenges, harmonize salutogenic praxiologies, and ensure that Naturopathy's valuable contribution to the well-being of European citizens is fully recognized and accessible.
Building the European Space of the Naturopathic Profession
The path towards a unified European space for Naturopathy involves convergence on several key fronts:
1. Harmonization of Training Standards and Professional Qualification
The basis for free movement and mutual recognition lies in the harmonization of training standards. Inspired by the spirit of the Bologna Accords and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), it is fundamental that Naturopathy develops and adopts a common curricular framework that guarantees the quality and comparability of qualifications throughout the EU. This includes clearly defining ECTS credits, theoretical and practical training hours, and the competency profiles of Naturopathic professionals. The Standardized Naturopathic Professional Classification (CPNE) is an essential tool in this process, providing a common language and structure for describing competencies.
2. Consolidation of Institutional and Scientific Recognition
For Naturopathic professionals to circulate freely, it is essential that the profession obtains solid institutional and scientific recognition in each Member State and at the EU level. This implies:
Dialogue with Administrations: Establishing bridges of communication with health, education, and finance ministries to clarify the legal and fiscal framework of Naturopathy.
Evidence-Based Naturopathy (EBN): Continuing to promote rigorous research on Naturopathic hygiopraxiologies, demonstrating their efficacy and safety with the scientific method. Evidence is the currency of recognition.
Defense of Professional Autonomy: Reaffirming that Naturopathy is an autonomous discipline of Health Sciences, with its own object of study (health promotion and the Vis Regeneratrix Naturae) and its own methodology, and not a "branch of" or "complement to" other professions.
3. Strengthening Professional Representation and Guild Cohesion
The strength of the profession lies in its unity. Naturopathic professional entities in each country must work in a coordinated manner, both nationally and European-wide. The European Committee of the Naturopathic Profession and the World Naturopathic Federation are the vehicles for this cohesion. The exchange of experiences, the definition of joint strategies, and the collective defense of professionals' rights are vital to influence public policies and overcome obstacles.
4. The Free Movement of Naturopathic Professionals in the EU
The free movement of professionals is a fundamental pillar of the European Union. For Naturopathy, this means that a qualified Naturopath in one Member State should be able to practice their profession in any other Member State without unjustified barriers. This requires:
Mutual Recognition of Qualifications: That the authorities of the Member States recognize qualifications obtained in other EU countries, based on the harmonization of standards.
Regulatory Clarity: That national legal frameworks are clear about the status of Naturopathy, avoiding ambiguities that could lead to conflicts with health inspection or accusations of intrusion.
Defense of Rights: That professional organizations are prepared to defend the rights of their members against any attempt to limit their professional practice or impose discriminatory tax burdens.
A Call for Participation in the VI European Congress of Naturopathy
The VI European Congress of Naturopathy is the ideal platform to advance these objectives. With its online format and virtual venue in Budapest (Hungary), the congress offers an unprecedented opportunity to:
Share Knowledge: Present research, practical experiences, and epistemological developments in the various Areas of Knowledge of Naturopathy.
Debate and Reflect: Generate a space for encounter and methodological updating among professionals, teachers, researchers, and students from all over Europe.
Strengthen Professional Identity: Promote the use and consolidation of Naturopathy's own technical language and its curricular systematization.
Network: Foster pan-Hispanic and pan-European exchange, creating strategic alliances for the future of the profession.
We strongly encourage all Naturopathic professional entities throughout Europe to actively participate in this congress. The strength of our collective voice is key to building the European space of the Naturopathic Profession and ensuring the full free movement of Naturopathic professionals in the EU.
Conclusion: A Unified Future for European Naturopathy
The VI European Congress of Naturopathy is more than an event; it is a commitment to the future of our profession. The construction of a European space for Naturopathy, with harmonized qualification standards and full free movement of professionals, will not only benefit Naturopaths but will enrich the health landscape in the European Union, offering citizens broader access to the salutogenic praxiologies and health promotion that Naturopathy provides.
This is the time for unity and action. The participation of each entity and each professional is a vital step towards the consolidation of a strong, recognized, and fully integrated European Naturopathy in the health system, serving the Vis Regeneratrix Naturae and the well-being of society.
For abstract submission: VI European Congress of Naturopathy
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