CONNECTIONS 2020: The Anthroposophic Medical Association Conference and Annual General Meeting (Friday to Sunday)

This exciting weekend conference will work with the theme of Connecting

The conference will include a varied program and will focus on:

• Connecting with ourselves: Through artistic work, singing and meditative exercises, we will encourage and support conference attendees to connect with their thoughts feelings and bodies throughout the conference, with the hope that this will keep ourselves and the output of the conference grounded and authentic.
• Connecting with our patients: short stories from clinicians about the importance of connection in anthroposophic medicine and in healing to re-enliven our awareness of this fundamental aspect of Anthroposophic Medicine.
• Connecting with Anthroposophic Doctors: exploring in particular the support of doctors studying or newly qualified in Anthroposophic Medicine - what is available, what is needed, and how can we support the needs of colleagues as a community.
• Connecting with the wider field of medicine: Research, publications and Education in Anthroposophic Medicine - how to support doctors with sharing and publishing outcomes, and how to attract doctors to Anthroposophic Medical Training.
• Connecting with the medical section: find a new Anthroposophic Medical Association representative for the newly formed medical section council.
• Connecting with other professional groups: Supporting therapists, nurses and the wider medical section: exploring the role of the AMA in welcoming other professions into our membership and in supporting therapist organisations.
• Connecting with the aspirations of the Anthroposophic Medical Association (AMA) membership: Last but by no means least, the Annual General Meeting of the AMA will focus on re-orienting the striving of the AMA, re-energising our membership and activities and re-writing our constitution with consideration given to how to enhance inclusiveness.

Tell me more!

Some of these themes will be explored during the AMA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and others in small group or plenary panel sessions during the conference. 

The conference is being organised by 3 AMA members: Anna Brodski, Joanna Murphy and Simon van Lieshout.

The timetable can be downloaded to give you an idea of the plan, though we may deviate slightly from this depending on the needs of conference participants.

Use the link below to download the updated conference programme. 

Conference Programme (PDF)

Who is the conference for?

This conference is particularly aimed at doctors and medical students. The Saturday is focused around the AMA AGM but nurses, pharmacists and therapists may also find value in some of the content. Please read the program and contact the conference organisers if you are unsure.

What is the AMA?

The Anthroposophic Medical Association (AMA) provides a professional membership body for Anthroposophic Physicians in the UK.  It is open to all doctors and medical students who have a positive interest in Anthroposophic Medicine and is considering how best to open up membership to other professional membership groups. You can read more about the AMA on this website.

The Anthroposophic Medical Association is at a crossroads and this conference aims to acknowledge the history of the AMA in the UK, assess the current situation, challenges and opportunities, and find positive and collaborative ways forward. The views of AMA members and of doctors working with an Anthroposophic approach in the UK will be vital to steering our future in the right direction to serve the profession and support the medical section in the UK. 

The AMA Annual General Meeting (AGM)

During the conference we will hold the AGM. AMA members are invited to submit agenda points for the AGM to Frank Mulder. If you don't have his contact details you can send proposals using this form - add "AGM Agenda" to the title please.

Some of the current AMA Council will be due to stand down. New members are invited to step forward for election to the council. Contact Simon van Lieshout if you want to discuss this role.

We will also be looking for a representative from the AMA to join the newly formed Medical Section Council.

A history of the AMA, an AGM agenda and some information regarding the finances of the AMA will be prepared and emailed out to AMA members in advance of the AGM.

Where?

• Tobias School of Art and Therapy, Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4LZ
• Getting there information
• Accommodation information 

• From 6th of March 2020 around 5pm until 8th of March at around 2pm. See the program for full details.  Add this to your calendar

How much does it cost?

• The conference itself is FREE (venue costs are covered by the AMA)
•  You will be asked to pay £15 per meal for the food
• Accommodation is not included but can be arranged via Tobias