CCFP at WONCA Lisbon 2025 — Dispatch #1 (Travel Week)

Date: Friday–Tuesday, Sept 12–16, 2025
Location: En route to Lisbon, Portugal

Wheels up! ✈️

Delegates and representatives of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians (CCFP) have begun their journeys to the 25th WONCA World Conference in Lisbon (Sept 17–21). Four early birds are already on the ground: Prof. Marvin Reid (CCFP President), Dr. Tania Whitby-Best (CCFP Honorary Secretary), Dr. Joanna Marie Francis (President, CCFP Trinidad Chapter), and Dr. Paula Henry (CCFP Executive). Dr. Aldyth Buckland (CCFP Jamaica Chapter) 2024 Five-Star Doctor Awardee, is currently transiting through London, and Dr. Kathlene Sangster Singh (Executive Member, CCFP Tobago Chapter) is also en route.

Touchdown in Lisbon! #WONCAWORLD2025 #CCFPinLisbon (photo credits - Dr. Paula Henry)

Photo ideas/captions:

• Airport send-offs, boarding-gate smiles, or “arrived in Lisbon” selfies.

• Street scenes: tram 28, azulejos, riverfront at Cais do Sodré.

• Caption prompt: “Touchdown in Lisbon! #WONCAWorld2025 #CCFPinLisbon”

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What’s ahead in Lisbon (at a glance)

• Opening Ceremony: Wed 17 Sept, 16:30–18:00 (Auditorium I, Lisbon Congress Centre), followed by the Welcome Drink 18:00–19:00 in the Exhibition area (Pavilion 2). woncaworld2025.org

• Venue: Lisbon Congress Centre (CCL), Praça das Indústrias 1; the Exhibition/WONCA Village/Catering are in Pavilion 2; the floorplan is super helpful for navigation. woncaworld2025.org

• Conference app & platform: Download the WONCA 2025 app (App Store/Google Play) for your digital badge, program, ePosters, and networking; the online Conference Platform mirrors the content. woncaworld2025.org

• Lifestyle events:

  • Walk with a Doc: Thu 18 Sept, 19:00, meet at main entrance; ~5 km riverside to the Champalimaud Foundation. woncaworld2025.org

  • Sunrise Walk: Sat 20 Sept, 06:45 at Belém Tower; 4–5 km with healthy snacks. woncaworld2025.org

  • Run with WONCA (community meetup): Thu 18 Sept, 07:30, friendly 5 km from Titanic Sur Mer, coffee after at The Folks (Santos). (As shared in organizer updates.) mcfd.org.mt+1

• Awards & Inauguration Ceremony: Sat 20 Sept, 16:00–18:30, Auditorium I; the incoming President Viviana Martínez-Bianchi keynote and new Executive Committee presentation. woncaworld2025.org

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Spotlight: Primary Mental Health Care book launch & interview

A timely new WONCA title—Challenges in Primary Mental Health Care: Models for Interdisciplinary Collaboration (Dowrick & Lionis, eds.)—addresses care amid overlapping crises and emphasizes team-based, community-oriented approaches. Read the editors’ interview on why it matters now. globalfamilydoctor.com

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Practical Lisbon tips for delegates

• Before you travel: The official info pack lists registration hours, speakers’ ready room, exhibition hours, and key ceremonies (opening, awards, closing). Worth saving to your phone. woncaworld2025.org

• Move sustainably: GIRA bikes are offering a free weekly subscription with promo code GIRA@WONCA25 (each ride up to 45 minutes free; restart to continue). Valid through 30 Sept, per organizer communications. mcfd.org.mt

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Day-by-day plan (quick guide)

• Wed 17 Sept: Opening Ceremony (16:30), Welcome Drink (18:00). Capture arrivals, registration, reunions, and the first evening vibes. woncaworld2025.org

• Thu 18 Sept: Full scientific program; morning Run with WONCA (07:30); evening Walk with a Doc (19:00). Photos: sessions, poster floor, riverside walk. woncaworld2025.org+1

• Fri 19 Sept: Sessions + (if you booked) the Conference Dinner (19:30–23:00, Pátio da Galé). Photos: networking, Lisbon at night. woncaworld2025.org

• Sat 20 Sept: Sunrise Walk (06:45), Awards & Inauguration (16:00). Photos: dawn at Belém Tower; ceremony highlights. woncaworld2025.org+1

• Sun 21 Sept: Final sessions + Closing Ceremony (12:30–13:45). Farewell photos & reflections. woncaworld2025.org

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Photo checklist 

• Travel & arrival: passports + boarding passes; Lisbon skyline from plane; first pasteis de nata.

• People: candid shots of CCFP reps (with consent), mini-quotes on “what I’m most excited to learn at WONCA”.

• Place: outside Lisbon Congress Centre, Exhibition Hall (Pavilion 2), Belém Tower sunrise, 25 de Abril Bridge. woncaworld2025.org

• Program: Opening Ceremony stage, posters, workshops, country meetups.

• Movement: a few frames from the run/walks on the riverside. woncaworld2025.org

Useful links 

• WONCA 2025 home / Programme / App / Platform (official pages). woncaworld2025.org+2woncaworld2025.org+2

• Keynote speakers overview. woncaworld2025.org

• YDM Preconference Survival Guide (great tips even if you’re not YDM). woncaworld2025.org