Family doctors from 96 countries converged on Orlando, Fla., to hold the 17th World Conference of Family Doctors (sponsored by Wonca, the World Organization of Family Doctors) in tandem with the AAFP Annual Assembly. Stories in this Special Section catch the flavor of the international exchange among almost 7,000 FPs and GPs. "Colleagues from around the world, despite many challenges, you are here," Daniel Ostergaard, M.D., AAFP vice president for international and interprofessional activities, said during the opening cerenomy. "Now more than ever, there is a need for international cooperation toward the betterment of our specialty and our patients' health -- international cooperation that transcends national policital issues."

The international activities exhibit at Wonca 2004/Assembly brings together the likes of Daniel Ostergaard, M.D., second from right, and FP Sister Monique Bourget, M.D., and editor Hamilton Wagner, both of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ostergaard congratulated Bourget and Wagner on their new Brazilian family medicine journal (in Ostergaard's hand). Also drawn to the spirited discussion was FP Lesley Atwood, M.D., of Hastings, Minn., who chairs the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics Advisory Board. Ostergaard chaired the Wonca 2004 Host Organizing Committee.