Conf. Description 

     Conf. Planning Committee 

     Conf. Goals  

     Conf. Design

     Conf. History 

     2009 Objectives 

     Invitation to 7th Conf.

     Conf. Coordinators 

     Cruise Stops 

     Cruise Ship 

     Price Includes 

     Extended Stay 

     Preparing for your Trip 

     Submission Due Date 

     Submission for Program 

     Goals & Objectives 

     Abstract Directions 

     Focused Discussion Group Directions 

     Submission Review Criteria 

     2003 Projects

     2005 Projects

     Guidelines for Collaborations & Exchanges 

     List of Exchanges & Collaborations 

The first US-Russian Nursing Conference Cruise was started in 1997 by Sean McGivern. US participants reported on the benefits of seeing and experiencing Russia, its small towns and major cities, while exchanging information with Russians during conference sessions.  For the Russians having a conference on a cruise provided more time than the traditional length conferences.  This longer time combined with the venue of being together on a boat created opportunities to explore topics in more depth and be able to have time to ask more probing questions and reflect on the information exchanged. 

Over the course of offering six of these conferences on the Russian waterways, we are pleased to have many participants choose to attend a third, fourth or even 5th Conference Cruise.  Revisiting the Conference Cruise provides opportunities to gain further understanding through seeing and experiencing more of Russia and continuing to engage in discussions, learning and forming collegial relationships with Russian nurses.   

For each succeeding conference cruise, in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and the 7th one in 2009, the focus has been on:

• Structuring program sessions and providing time for informal get togethers for the US and Russians to share information with each other

• Developing more diverse learning activities for participants to engage in and enjoy

• Organizing the program to include a visit to Novgorod, one of the oldest cities in Russia, thus adding a unique aspect to the Conference and supplementing the cruise itinerary

• Creating opportunities for US and Russian nurses to develop exchanges, collaborative projects, and for US nurses to assist Russian nurses with post conference projects. 

For further information, please contact:
West Coast: Marie Driever at driever.m@ghc.org or mariedriever@comcast.net,206-448-2090
East Coast: Rachel Difazio at Rachel.Difazio@childrens.harvard.edu, (978)927-4452