Sharing a commitment on the world stage: the International Year of the Nurse

Just as the parade of athletes in the opening ceremony of the Olympics shows the world we are unified around sports, the two delegates from each member nation of the ICN, carrying flags, dressed in nationally inspired clothing, and accompanied by host nation representatives, provide the participants with a tableau of color and meaning that symbolizes the unity of nursing. The themes for achieving a healthy world include: personal health and renewal, healthy home and work environments, cross-cultural understanding, international health diplomacy, and environmental and social determinants of health.