On behalf of the International Scientific Committee, we welcome you to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada!

We, as co-chairs, are delighted to welcome you to the 4th international research seminar on Public Health & Palliative Care. This international research seminar is being organized by the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria and the EAPC Reference Group on Public Health & Palliative Care, in partnership with McMaster University. Meetings will take place at the University of Victoria, and we acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples, on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. This seminar, being held in Canada, also known as Turtle Island, is a reminder of the important reconciliation journey Canadians are on. As we focus on health equity and justice, we recognize the need for ongoing efforts to address the inequities Indigenous Peoples continue to face because of colonialism and its enduring impacts around the globe.

The theme of the seminar - Innovating Care: Research and Action for Public Health and Palliative Care - is highly relevant. In 2014 the WHO passed resolution WHA67.19 urging member states to integrate palliative care into their healthcare systems, particularly focusing on reaching underserved populations and ensuring equitable access to care. Their suggested Model of Palliative Care emphasizes a public health approach, including community participation, addressing social determinants of health and ensuring culturally safe-r care for all. Now is the time to explore innovative methods that not only generate evidence but also translate it into tangible action. This requires developing new ways to support and strengthen social networks and neighbourhood approaches that surround seriously ill and bereaved people, while also building systems to prevent suffering within healthcare, including the implementation of laws focused on end-of-life safety, as well as ongoing surveillance and monitoring.

In our research seminar, "Innovating Care: Research and Action for Public Health and Palliative Care," we aim to critically interrogate the landscape of palliative care by actively considering and incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This seminar focuses on pioneering equity in palliative care through rigorous research and proactive action. We will explore innovative approaches that prioritize social justice, community engagement, and citizen involvement, ensuring that underserved and excluded communities along with others receive the compassionate and comprehensive care they deserve. Sharing collective knowledge from diverse communities and stakeholders, we seek to advance public participation in shaping palliative care policies and practices. Our goal is to create a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, ultimately driving transformative change in palliative care. Join us in our commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and social impact in the field of public health and palliative care.

This June seminar will present a key opportunity for students, post doctoral fellows, early career and senior researchers to come together to discuss and advance global public health and palliative care research. It will provide an open platform to debate critical questions and share evidence of change, while emphasizing the need to transform palliative care practices to be more inclusive, equitable, and community and citizen-centred.

Co-Chairs, Kelli Stajduhar and Hsien Seow