About Us
This three-yearly international conference brings together families, carers, people living with PWS, researchers, clinicians, health professionals, and support service providers. It enables the whole PWS community to connect, learn and problem-solve together to enhance and transform the lives of individuals living with PWS and their families.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a randomly occurring genetic neurodevelopmental condition affecting as many as 1 in 15,000 babies. Due to some inactive genes on chromosome 15, people living with PWS have complex medical needs, and develop the hallmark feature of the syndrome, hyperphagia, an unrelenting, overriding, and sometimes extreme drive to consume food. Other typical characteristics include global developmental delays, challenging behaviours, and mental illness.
6 Successful Collaborations
Host Organisation Collaboration
The 2024 Asia Pacific PWS Conference is a collaborative initiative being hosted by key bodies driving research and parent support of the PWS community in the Asia-Pacific, namely Prader-Willi Research Foundation Australia, Prader-Willi Syndrome Australia, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association New Zealand, PWSA Malaysia and PWSA Thailand.
6th Conference - Discover, Care, Thrive
The 2024 Asia Pacific PWS conference will showcase the latest in PWS research, support and care to equip and inform researchers, clinicians, parents and families, and those working in a support role. Running over August 30 & 31, our 6th conference is being held in Sydney, Australia, at the Rydges Sydney Central Hotel.
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The conference features:
DAY 1 (August 30)
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Stream 1: Research Day, dedicated to fostering collaboration and new insights.
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Stream 2: Adults Living with PWS Programme, listening to the voices of lived experience.
DAY 2 (August 31)
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Stream 1: Family, Allied Health and Support Providers Day aimed at equipping attendees with the latest in PWS care, support and management, and providing an opportunity for sharing experiences.
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Stream 2: Residential Support Providers Programme
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The Research Day brings together international and Australian researchers, students, and families. In addition to leading international research, we will showcase Australian PWS research, which is making a significant contribution to the global progress towards finding a treatment.
The programme aims to:
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Identify and address emerging issues and debates.
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Strengthen research and practice.
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Explore potential collaborations & partnerships across boundaries of disciplines and sectors.
Adults Living with PWS Programme offers an opportunity to hear the voices of people living with PWS - what they can teach others and what they want to achieve in their own lives.
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The Family, Allied Health and Support Providers Day is specifically for people providing support for people living with PWS. Presentations and workshops facilitated by international and national experts will maximise teaching and learning opportunities. Topics covered will include Friendships & Relationships; Positive Behavioural Support & Restrictive Practices; Avoiding Arguments & Managing Meltdowns; Support Across Life Stages – Adolescence, Adulthood, Ageing. Highlights from the 2024 International Professional Providers and Caregivers Conference will be shared with plenty of networking opportunities.
