The current horrendous and increasing social problems should not exist at the end of this Century. They are simply unacceptable. We are beginning a new Century and Millennium. There is no doubt that we have come a long way in this Century in improving the health of all people everywhere. However, we are beginning to see the limitations of health services as we built them so far, and I believe that we are looking again, as we did at the beginning of this Century, at the social determinants which produce a healthy and productive society.
Nurses have to keep their vision on that horizon.
Because we are so many, we have the opportunity and responsibility to bring about change. We can do that without losing our traditional role as the caring profession. None of this is very new, and even more importantly, none of it is impossible. However, it requires renewed energy and commitment. This international Congress has brought together over 4000 nurses representing almost every country of the world.