ATBH XII – Collaborative Virtues: Building Resilient Teams Through Shared Values
30 April 2026
St. Louis 06:00; UTC 11:00; London 12:00; Nicosia/Doha 14:00; Singapore 19:00
Presenter:
- David Smith – Director, International Network for Health Workforce Education (INHWE)
- Elizabeth O. Johnson – Dean, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus
Moderator:
- Alla El-Awaisi – Interprofessional.Global Board Member; ATBH XII Steering Committee Member; Organising Lead for ATBH XI, Doha, Qatar
Description:
In the evolving landscape of interprofessional education, collaboration grounded in shared values and ethical principles is essential for addressing today’s complex healthcare challenges. This Global Cafe will look at the rationale behind the ATBH XII conference theme of “Collaborative Virtues: Building Resilient Teams Through Shared Values” which will take place in June 2027. The theme bridges the timeless principles of Stoicism (which originated in Cyprus through Zeno of Citium almost 2500 years ago) with modern practices in IPE to foster ethical, resilient, and effective interprofessional teams.
Abstract:
At the heart of this theme are four integrated virtues that reflect both Stoic philosophy and the goals of IPE:
- Wisdom in Collaboration: Teams thrive when they embrace diverse perspectives and apply rational judgment to make decisions. IPE fosters this wisdom by encouraging lifelong learning, practical judgment, and mutual respect. Whether crafting patient-centred care plans or addressing systemic challenges, wisdom ensures thoughtful and informed collaboration.
- Courage to Communicate: Honest, open, and constructive communication is a cornerstone of IPE. Courage empowers professionals to address misunderstandings, advocate for shared goals, and engage in challenging conversations with resilience. This virtue reflects the Stoic principle of facing difficulties with integrity and fortitude.
- Justness in Teamwork: Equity and fairness are foundational to effective interprofessional collaboration. Justice ensures that every team member’s voice is valued and decisions are made with integrity and inclusivity. IPE promotes this virtue by fostering equitable participation, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to serving the common good.
- Temperance in Adaptability: Flexibility and balance enable teams to navigate change and overcome challenges. In IPE, temperance is reflected in professionals’ ability to moderate personal preferences, manage biases, and adapt to dynamic team needs, creating harmonious and efficient collaboration.
Through this lens, the conference theme emphasizes how these Stoic virtues – wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance – developed by the ancient philosophical tradition in Cyprus can transform interprofessional education. By cultivating wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, IPE participants can navigate ethical dilemmas, improve communication, and build resilient teams that excel in diverse and complex environments.
Author(s) and contact:
- David Smith, INHWE, Cyprus – david.smith@inhwe.org
- Prof. Elizabeth Johnson, EUC, Cyprus – e.johnson@euc.ac.cy