Dear colleagues, friends, and families of the International Pediatric Association,
It is a tremendous honor for me to carry the duties and responsibilities as the IPA Executive Director for a second term. My journey with IPA first began in 2016 at the IPA Congress in Vancouver. Since then, I have worked with esteemed colleagues of IPA as a Standing Committee Member. In the next term, I was then appointed as an Executive Committee Member, serving in 2019-2021 leadership. In the 2021-2023 tenure, I was then elected as the IPA Executive Director. Now, I am humbled to once again have been entrusted to carry forward the important work done by IPA preceding leaderships.
IPA has been a home for pediatricians from all over the world, gathered in 149 national society from 144 countries, 7 regional societies and 11 sub specialty societies. Even after more than a century since its establishment, IPA is still the leading voice advocating for every child, every age, everywhere.
As we approach the year 2030, there is still so much that needs to be done to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality. In achieving zero hunger and good health and wellbeing for all, we still have to confront the burden of inequalities, especially in child health services throughout the world. Access to education and training for pediatricians is also an essential step to reducing worldwide inequalities. Only then, we can achieve the highest attainable standards of child health envisioned in the IPA motto, "Every Child, Every Age, Everywhere".
This shall be the cornerstone of every activity, work, and purpose of IPA with no one left behind. In IPA, we are united as the world’s pediatricians, devoting our best interests for children’s health. As Hellen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”. Therefore, we must work hand-in-hand in friendship and collaboration, uniting our strengths and working towards this common goal together.
In the upcoming years, IPA will come up with evidence-based recommendations in child healthcare and unite experts from all corners of the globe to create programs and projects that synergize efforts to reach the SDGs. Through collaborative work with other international organizations, IPA shall continue to be the leading health professional organization in children’s health with greater impacts to all member societies and children across the globe. We look forward to working with you for the health and wellbeing of every child, every age, everywhere.
Best regards,
Professor Aman Pulungan
Executive Director
International Pediatric Association