The 2025 International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress was held last month, in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
I attended as a proud kiwi, but quickly noticed the lack of representation of Australasian and Pacific nurses. This has inspired me to work hard for a leadership role in nursing.
I didn’t know anything about this year’s ICN congress until I saw a YouTube video about the 2023 conference in Montreal, and thought Helsinki 2025 would be an amazing experience to attend for professional development. So I went ahead and paid my registration fee, and booked airfares and accommodation.
Looking at the ICN Helsinki website, I noticed there was going to be a Students & Early Career Nurses (SECN) Assembly at the congress. There were only 200 spaces available, and it was filling up fast.
I quickly registered and sent all the relevant information, such as evidence of post-graduate studies, name of university, nursing organisation affiliation, place of employment, and so forth. About two weeks before the congress started, I received an email confirming my place in the Students & Early Career Nurses Assembly.
Excitement and apprehension
Once I decided to attend the congress, I felt a mix of excitement as well as apprehension for safety reasons, as the host city, Helsinki, is close to where the war between Russia and Ukraine is taking place.
When I received confirmation that I had a place in the SECN Assembly, I was over the moon, and the excitement trumped my apprehension. I felt that this was an opportunity too good to miss.
Despite the long flights (Auckland-Sydney-Singapore-Helsinki), jetlag, and adjusting to local time, it was an amazing, eye-opening experience. At Singapore’s Changi airport, I ran into two Tongan health professionals from Auckland, Dr Sione Vaka and nurse practitioner Makoni Havea. They were on their way to Helsinki too, and I was glad to have their company.
For me it was a proud moment when I heard New Zealand called onto the stage.
Around 6000 nurses and scholars from across the globe attended the biennial congress.
The opening ceremony was electrifying — it was like the Oscars for nurses. For me it was a proud moment when I heard New Zealand called onto the stage, represented by NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, president Anne Daniels and two other kaitiaki, during the parade of ICN member countries.
Another proud moment was when our former prime minister Helen Clark addressed the Congress. To see kiwis on an international stage is inspirational.
During the parade of ICN members, nurses from each country cheered for their representatives. We did our best, shouting at the top of our voices to make sure people knew there were kiwis in the crowd.
Lack of Pacific representation
However I could not help but notice the lack of representation from our neighbouring Pacific nations. I cannot recall Fiji, Samoa, Tonga or any other Pacific islands being called onto the stage during the parade of members. There could be various reasons, but it highlighted an issue. Why?
I was also surprised to be the only kiwi among the 200 representatives from across the globe who took part in the SECN Assembly. Again, I asked myself, why?
However I thought I did not spend this money to come all the way here for nothing. The Q&A session was time-constrained, and I hustled for the microphone to make our voices heard from the land down under. I also attended sessions throughout the congress which were relevant to the emergency department (ED) — my area of nursing.
I hustled for the microphone to make our voices heard from the land down under.
This is a phenomenal global event — it is where you witness the ICN chief executive, president and board members share the vision, mission and representation of nursing worldwide.
It is where scholars share their research and studies from communities across the world. It is a platform for nurses worldwide to network and share issues facing the profession globally. It is also a space for sharing new ideas and finding practical solutions for delivering healthcare to all corners of the world.
A new ICN president and board members have been elected to take the reins for the coming years. Outgoing president Pamela Cipriani, during her tenure, emphasised the word “influence”, that nurses across the world can influence decision-making for the health and wellbeing of their citizens.
Nurses should be empowered
New president, Jose Serrano, in his speech emphasised the word “empowerment” — nurses should be empowered with the tools, authority, autonomy, and respect they need to excel in their roles.
I left ICN Helsinki 2025 feeling empowered. The lack of representation from New Zealand, Australia and our neighbouring Pacific Islands has sparked a strong interest in me to pursue leadership and to advocate for strong participation from our corner of the world. For our issues, our ideas to be heard — after all, we are part of the global nursing family.
My action plan is to pursue mentorship and leadership training, as well as undertaking further studies, research, and hard mahi.
Sione ‘Ulufonua, RN, is a new graduate nurse, and Tongan New Zealander, who works at Te Toka Tumai, Auckland City Hospital, in the emergency department and clinical decision unit.