Are we there yet? Reflections on the 9th Advance Care Planning International Conference 2025

December 10, 2025

Submitted by: Cari Borenko, Regional Manager/Lead Advance Care Planning, Fraser Health British Columbia Canada and Dr Greg Parker, Director Advance Care Planning Australia.

A global gathering for shared purpose

We had the privilege of attending and speaking at the 9^th Advance Care Planning International Conference. Being in the company of allies, colleagues and friends was humbling, and inspiring. Our challenges are universal. Our collective strength, unstoppable.

This year’s conference was a testament to the growing momentum behind advance care planning (ACP) worldwide. Over 250 attendees joined us, 81% from Australia and 19% international representing diverse perspectives and experiences. Together, we explored new ideas, shared evidence, and reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that every person’s health care wishes are known and respected.

A program rich in ideas and voices

The conference featured 145 abstracts submitted and 83 presentations delivered over 2.5 days, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, and oral papers. Among the highlights:

Dr Christian Ntizimira – “From Safari to Sanctuary: Reimagining Advance Care Planning Through an African Lens of Compassion”
Professor Rebecca Sudore – Plenary on “Reframing Advance Care Planning: What’s Wrong with ACP?”
A community perspectives panel sharing lived experiences with advance care planning

Importantly, 29% of Australian invited speakers were of First Nations background, reflecting a strong commitment to cultural safety and inclusion. Concepts like Advance Care Yarning, a culturally grounded, respectful, and free-flowing conversation, left a lasting impression. It’s a conversation that honours relationships and upholds ways of knowing. What a beautiful image to carry forward.

Technology, innovation and ethics

The art and science of technology was intriguing and, at times, personally contentious. How can we leverage artificial intelligence? Should we? Ariadne Labs has trialed an avator-based digital training alternative to their instructor led training. Thank you, Erik Fromme, for sharing. Keep your eye out for this research publication.

Australia’s work in digital health is best captured by their national strategy which aims to utilize technology and data. A global challenge, the Australian Digital Health Agency understands that enhancing ACP accessibility is crucial and essential to knowing, respecting and empowering patient’s wishes and instructions. Supporting this national work, the Queensland Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning demonstrated an ACP information management clinician facing database. The PowerBI report monitors and measures ACP activity which can then support quality improvement priorities.

Dr Greg Parker’s perspective: measuring impact and building momentum

This conference was more than an event, it was a catalyst for change. The numbers tell a powerful story: 93% of attendees agreed the conference increased their knowledge of contemporary ACP issues, and 95% valued the inclusion of lived experience perspectives. Nearly every participant, 96%, reported improved networking opportunities, and 91% rated their on-site experience as excellent.

These figures reflect what we heard in the room: people valued the diversity of sessions, the international and cultural perspectives, and the integration of consumer voices throughout the program. This is how we build a movement, by combining evidence, innovation, and lived experience.

Calls to action: where do we go from here?

A key feature of the conference was the submission of Calls to Action, resulting in a collective mandate for standardization, access, system reform, and patient experience. The consensus on the question “Are we there yet?” was clear: not quite—but together, we can get there. How? By continuing our global commitment, leveraging our global wisdom, and maintain our global relationships.