Welcome

Welcome to Germany in 2010!

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee it is my pleasure to invite you to participate in the 6^th World Congress on Prevention of Diabetes and its Complications (WCPD 2010), to be held in Dresden, Germany on April 8-11, 2010.

We know that diabetes prevention is effective but diabetes prevention presents many different faces creating unknown challenges, such as medical and psychological, but also shows political, economical, social and environmental expressions. Currently we know numerous diabetes prevention concepts which can be implemented into clinical practice in various countries worldwide, but we lack the exchange of their ideas, experiences and often problems with management.

The 6^th WCPD provides a great opportunity to enable a more effective communication between all people interested in diabetes prevention and its management. Here we have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others especially discussing barriers encountered during prevention programme implementation. Our aim is to have the translation of what we have learned in Science into practical skills of prevention. We want to encourage the adoption of best practices in diabetes prevention involving a good partnership between all relevant players. Effective primary prevention is essential to reduce the epidemic of type 2 diabetes throughout the world. To achieve this, action is needed not only in the field of policy making but also in the development of targeted intervention programmes which address the needs of people with an increased risk of diabetes, clinical- and community-based healthcare professionals and the general population.
In addition we have included other issues such as city planning aspects, funding opportunities and support for policy development because they affect the efficiency and efficacy of diabetes prevention programmes.

We are looking forward seeing you in Dresden in 2010!

Prof. Peter Schwarz President		Prof. Stefan Bornstein Vice President