The AVMA is giving the animal welfare discussion a much larger stage with its upcoming symposium called "Can You Hear Me Now? The Conversation."

To ensure that the symposium is filled with lively, productive discourse, the AVMA is seeking opinionated veterinarians and veterinary students to participate in the two-day event scheduled for Nov. 14-15, 2013, in Rosemont, Ill.

According to the AVMA, the event will provide participants with a thorough education about animal welfare issues, as well as give them the chance to generate ideas that can gradually be fleshed out into actionable strategies for the veterinary profession to advance animal welfare.

Symposium schedule

According to the AVMA, the symposium's first day will feature lectures on the scientific, social, political, and legal aspects of decision-making regarding making animal welfare decisions. The second day will see participants involved in roundtable discussions about welfare-related dilemmas affecting how animals are used and cared for across all sectors of the veterinary profession.

On Nov. 16 and one more unannounced date, a smaller group selected from among all participants will be invited to build on symposium discussions by forging a strategy that can lead to ongoing dialogue about animal welfare.

How to get involved

Veterinarians and veterinary students can nominate themselves their colleagues for one of the 150 available spots, although nominees must be AVMA members or student AVMA members. Nominees can come from sectors across the veterinary profession, including companion animal, farm, zoo, laboratory, and government, the AVMA said.

The association must receive nominations on or before July 1, 2013.

To nominate a colleague or yourself, download and fill out a nomination form from www.avma.org/theconversation. Send the nomination form along with a one-page resume or curriculum vitae to [email protected], or by mail to the AVMA Office of the Executive Vice President, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Ste. 100, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173.