Conference Name: 14th World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses Quadrennial Congress
NT destination: Darwin, Northern Territory (NT), Australia
Congress venue: Darwin Convention Centre
Dates: 22-25 July 2025
Delegates: 200 + delegates
Congress overview
The World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses (WFNN) is an international nursing organisation representing approximately 8,000 nurses from 22 countries. It stages a World Congress every four years which is attended by global healthcare professionals including clinicians, managers, nurses, physicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurse scientists, researchers and educators.
The Darwin Congress was hosted by WFNN in collaboration with the Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association (ANNA), the peak body for neuroscience nursing in Australasia.
Congress program showcases NT's specialist medical expertise
The four-day program at the Darwin Convention Centre (DCC) comprised six plenaries, 69 concurrent sessions, two panel discussions and there were 26 posters on display. Sponsored breakfast sessions were also held on two days of the Congress.
A Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) aeromedical simulator, a full-size replica of a King Air B200 aircraft, was on display at DCC on the first day of the Congress, providing delegates with insights into the life-saving care role delivered by the RFDS to remote and rural communities in Australia.
An optional field trip took delegates to the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) headquartered in Darwin – the Centre is renowned for the emergency medical and disaster response and training, trauma management, and critical care it provides in Australia and further afield.
Social, cultural and community engagement highlights
A Welcome to Country on the outdoor forecourt of DCC was provided by Saltwater Cultural Tours on behalf of the Larrakia People, Traditional Custodians of the Darwin region.
Delegate satchels were locally-made by Indigenous-owned Paperbark Woman, with fabrics designed and hand-printed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Plenary speaker gifts were Aboriginal-designed scarves from Aboriginal Bush Traders whilst panel speakers received water coolers featuring Indigenous designs from Mbantua Gallery.
The social program included a President’s Reception held at Wharf One Food and Wine, located at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, and which featured seasonal NT cuisine specialties.
The Congress Welcome Reception was held at Crocosaurus Cove, an attraction in the heart of the city which features live saltwater crocodiles for which the Northern Territory is globally renowned. The attraction’s world-renowned ‘Cage of Death’ provided an exciting spectacle as two delegates safely encased in a perspex cylinder took the plunge into a pool containing a huge saltwater crocodile.
An “After Dark” networking evening was staged at the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility, which is situated on Stokes Hill Wharf, only 500 metres from the convention centre.
A visit to Darwin’s iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market, located five minutes from Darwin's city centre, gave delegates an opportunity to explore more than 200 market stalls which feature multicultural cuisine, artworks and hand-crafted mementos, all complemented by a spectacular over-water Darwin sunset.
The NT's destination support
Organisers indicated a familiarisation visit they undertook to Darwin in 2016 was very helpful in providing a first-hand review of the city as a potential host destination, the trip significantly influencing the final decision to come to the NT. A joint bid for the WFNN Congress was prepared by Northern Territory Business Events (NTBE) in conjunction with DCC on behalf of ANNA and it ultimately won against a rival bid from the USA. Organiser feed-back indicated that the destination’s appeal strongly influenced Darwin’s selection, along with the significant backing and support from ANNA, and that provided by the NT and NTBE.
Pre and post touring
Many delegates embarked on pre-Congress tours to iconic NT locations such as Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks, whilst others chose to travel to Darwin aboard the legendary train known as The Ghan, one of the world’s great railways.
In their words
WFNN Congress organisers shared that Darwin was one of the best Congresses in WFNN’s history, also saying that the Darwin Convention Centre was a world-class venue which would outrank many convention centres around the world.
On behalf of the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses:
“The 14th Quadrennial WFNN Congress held in Darwin, Australia truly embodied the spirit of global collaboration and innovation that defines neuroscience care. Evenings offered a chance to experience Darwin’s rich culture and discuss local care models. We swam with crocodiles and explored the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service through immersive simulation. I left Darwin energized by the exchange of ideas rooted in evidence, compassion, and cultural awareness.”
Cathy Cartwright
President, World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses, USA
