The World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) held an intermediate meeting May 28-29 in Debrecen, the second largest city of Hungary. The association hosted the meeting jointly with the Hungarian Association of Equine Practitioners, the World Organization of Hungarian Veterinarians, and the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). The day before, the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations held a General Assembly, at which I represented WEVA in my role as president, along with Gary Norwood, DVM, senior vice president of WEVA.

Practitioners discussed a variety of current topics, including veterinary education, the identification of horses, disease surveillance, medicine availability, and the responsible use of medicines. It is amazing how similar problems affecting veterinary surgeons are worldwide, and maintaining international dialogue is essential to facilitate and coordinate the veterinary response to such challenges. We are only a small profession, but speaking with one voice empowers us.

The intermediate meeting itself was in the Kolcsey Convention Centre and was undoubtedly a triumph due in no small part to the skill and hard work of the Hungarian organizing committee. There were almost 250 delegates and speakers from 19 countries. One speaker traveled from as far away as Trinidad and Tobago! The majority of delegates came from Hungary and the surrounding countries, such as Romania, Ukraine, and Serbia. The simultaneous translation from English to Hungarian was of the highest caliber, as were the audiovisual aids.

The first day of the meeting was devoted to surgery and clinical work that could be carried out without sophisticated veterinary facilities, and later in the day there were lectures on designing and building a clinic, the organization of private practice, and equine insurance in the U.K. Although equine private practice is still at a relatively embryonic stage in Hungary, there was good feedback from the delegates, clearly indicating an enthusiasm for possible future professional development