INTRODUCTION

We, the A.P.A.E. are proud to be the organisers for this year's WFAS 2005 International Symposium of Acupuncture. For more information on the symposium click here

The A.P.A.E - Associação Portuguesa de Acupunctura Eléctrica (Portuguese Association of Electric Acupuncture) is the only official Association acknowledged by the Portuguese Medical Ordera and the Ministry of Health as of 2005. With its first activities registered in 1973, It was officialy established in 1978 by Dr. Mitsuharu Tsuchiya and a group of Conventional Medicine Doctors to teach and promote Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine amongst the class of medical doctors in Portugal . Above all its principal objective has been to foster a new type of medicine that integrates Oriental Medicine and Conventional Medicine. The first of its kind in Europe , the association benefits from a modest membership of nearly 100 certified practitioners, researchers and medical doctors.

A.P.A.E. and the World Federation of Acupuncture Societies

The A.P.A.E. was officially accepted as a World Fedration of Acupuncture Societies (W.F.A.S.) member in the 4 th of December 1990 , representing Portugal in the world arena. Its main activities include the exchange of academic and professional knowledge between Portugal and Japan , the organization of national Acupuncture symposiums and the participation in International Acupuncture Conferences representing Portugal . Furthermore, the A.P.A.E. has been involved in the publication of research papers at the national level.

Its current and primary focus will be to continue the promotion of genuine and safe Acupuncture practice in Portugal , with special focus in teaching MDs and developing research. The A.P.A.E., as the sole representative of the Portuguese Acupuncture to the World Federation of Acupuncture Societies, has the obligation to implement world standards of Acupuncture in Portugal, as well as reporting to the W.F.A.S. and the W.H.O., the present state of affairs in the Acupuncture industry.

The W.F.A.S. is the only authority in the world in the field of Acupuncture that is certified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

A.P.A.E. and Japanese Universities

The A.P.A.E. has developed an academic protocol with Japanese Universtities in order to provide Portuguese doctors with the highest level of education and training possible in the field of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicines. Every year a selected group of doctors travel to Japan and attend post-graduate level orientations which counts towards their credits. Partners include Tsukuba University, Kansai College of Oriental Medicine and the Meiji University of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.