By joining forces, we will be strong! Brazilian Association for Research and Graduate Studies in Physical Therapy

EDITORIAL

By joining forces, we will be strong! Brazilian Association for Research and Graduate Studies in Physical Therapy

An organized society is, admittedly, a strong society. The Brazilian Association for Research and Graduate Studies in Physical Therapy (ABRAPG-Ft), founded in May 2005, is the product of a collective effort of graduate programs (by research), grant holders of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the country's main physical therapy research groups during the 1^st National Forum for Research and Graduate Studies by Research in Physical Therapy, held in the city of São Carlos, SP.

The purpose of ABRAPG-Ft is to:

1. promote studies, analyses and discussions to subsidize the implementation of initiatives by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and research centers for the development of scientific knowledge and graduate studies by research in physical therapy to meet society's demand for scientific, technological, cultural and artistic understanding with high standards of quality and performance;

2. promote scientific events, such as conferences, seminars, symposia, etc., to discuss and present proposals related to research activities and graduate studies by research in the field of physical therapy;

3. represent nationally and internationally the interests of physical therapy researchers and graduate programs by research, within their scope of practice, before Brazilian and overseas institutions in matters related to research and graduate education in physical therapy;

4. make recommendations to the country's authoritative bodies pertaining to the formulation and execution of policies for the development of scientific knowledge and graduate studies in the field of physical therapy;

5. support the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy (BJPT), which will maintain its independent editorial structure and headquarters, and other journals willing to strengthen and consolidate research and graduate programs in the field;

6. collaborate with the Federal Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy and its respective Regional Councils, as well as other associations of the field whenever invited or summoned;

7. join forces with HEIs that offer graduate programs by research in physical therapy and promote the exchange and permanent cooperation among them in order to identify and meet national, regional and local needs;

8. subsidize the representation of the field before the Foundation for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), CNPq, research foundations and other development bodies and agencies to further physical therapy research and graduate studies.

During the 4^th National Forum on Research and Graduate Studies by Research in Physical Therapy, held in the city of São Paulo between June 4 and 6, 2008, the new ABRAPG-Ft board of directors was chosen for the 2008 to 2010 period and comprises the following members:

The Forum is promoted annually by ABRAPG-Ft and has been previously held in São Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Piracicaba and São Paulo, in that chronological order. It has become a permanent arena for the discussion of physical therapy research and graduate studies by research in Brazil. One of its main roles has been the political dialogue with development bodies and the dissemination of scientific research conducted by graduate programs in physical therapy.

The current board of directors is in the initial phase of organization and seeks to continue the work of the previous board, as well as present specific proposals, such as:

• integration/partnership between groups for multicenter projects and international collaboration;

• student exchange programs;

• space reserved in the BJPT or in the new ABRAPG-Ft website for the publication of abstracts from national theses and dissertations;

• opportunities to present theses and dissertations at ABRAPG-Ft events.

It is important to ensure that ABRAPG-Ft does not become just another association, but that it continues to grow and constitute a venue for the consolidation of physical therapy research and graduate programs. In this sense, the adherence of all researchers is crucial to the growth and invigoration of the field. Membership privileges should be considered insignificant compared to the political importance of an association of such high caliber and ideals.

It is time to think of ABRAPG-Ft as a powerful weapon in the fight for growth, recognition and consolidation of physical therapy research and graduate studies. Therefore, we invite all of our readers to join us in this effort by sending in suggestions, providing opportunities, becoming members and renewing your annual membership, always bearing in mind that we will only be strong if we join forces!

Armèle Dornelas de Andrade

President of ABRAPG-Ft

Raquel Rodrigues Britto

Vice-President of ABRAPG-Ft

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  11 Feb 2009
• Date of issue
  Dec 2008