Conference theme

The theme for this year’s Conference “Seeing Our Way”, reflects the growing evolution of self-determination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in eye health and vision care. It creates a forum of “seeing through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lens” to position and strengthen our current and future state of eye healthcare sector projects and initiatives. This work aims to ensure the vision and future needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health are strong and bright. 

When preparing your abstract submission for the 2025 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference, we encourage you to align your work with the theme “Seeing Our Way.” This theme highlights the evolution of self-determination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in eye health, and we particularly welcome submissions that foster and elevate emerging leaders from within these communities. Your abstract should aim to equip these future leaders with the skills necessary to drive health initiatives, thereby positioning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for success in eye health and vision care.

Leadership and Positioning for Success: We invite abstracts that emphasise leadership and advocacy within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health and Vision Care sector. Submissions should honour the sovereignty of place and space, recognising and valuing the legacy and continued excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We also seek contributions that advocate for whole-of-life prevention activities, essential to cultivating healthy and flourishing communities.

Empowering Our People: We encourage submissions that focus on building and supporting a culturally responsive, skilled, and thriving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. Your work might include understanding and supporting the eye health workforce, developing education and training opportunities to strengthen capabilities, and ensuring that the views and perspectives of the community help shape the national conversation on eye health and vision care.

Promoting Integrated Health Solutions: The conference is committed to showcasing and discussing innovative health solutions that seamlessly integrate traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge with contemporary medical practices. We encourage submissions that highlight how these integrated approaches can set a precedent for holistic and culturally sensitive health care, ensuring the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

As a catalyst for change, NATSIEHC25 serves as a crucial platform for influencing health policy, and bringing together health professionals, community leaders, and policymakers to tackle disparities in eye health. By contributing your insights, you will help shape policies that better serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Furthermore, the conference underscores the importance of advancing health through collaboration, empowering community health practices, and driving the adoption of best practices in eye health.

Aligning your abstract with these focus areas will contribute significantly to the conference’s overarching goals of fostering leadership, advocating for integrated health solutions, and furthering the collaborative efforts necessary to end preventable vision loss and blindness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Your work will be pivotal in ensuring that the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health is strong, bright, and self-determined.