I am pleased to announce that the 28th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation (JSDR2022) will take place on September 23 and 24, 2022 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. I am greatly honored to preside over the Annual Meeting of this highly interdisciplinary Society whose membership exceeds 15,000. Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to Chairperson Dr. Yayoi Kamakura, Former Chairperson Dr. Koichiro Ueda, officers, and members of JSDR for this invaluable opportunity.

The theme of JSDR2022 will be “SDGs for Dysphagia,” chosen for its international relevance to recent matters of societal concern. As we know, the abbreviation “SDGs” stands for “Sustainable Development Goals,” a term we have heard frequently in the past few years. Adopted at the UN Summit in 2015, the SDGs aim at achieving a better, sustainable world by 2030 with 17 international goals and 169 associated targets, vowing to “leave no one behind.” This vow was something we felt our Society shared, hence the choice of the SDGs as our theme. Our intent is for JSDR2022 to be a forum for participants to exchange ideas and engage in debate on what we should think about and where we should be headed, with a view to 2030 (about 10 years away), with the aim to “leave no one behind” in the field of dysphagia rehabilitation both in Japan and global community.

JSDR2022 will be presided over by a speech-language-hearing therapist (ST) for the first time in 16 years, the third time since Dr. Motonobu Ito led JSDR2002 in Utsunomiya and Dr. Isami Kumakura led JSDR2006 in Kurashiki. Considering that STs are the largest cohort in our Society’s membership, I would like to bring the power of STs to make JSDR2002 a unique event. Although my individual capabilities are limited, I believe that my distinguished fellow STs can offer their strength and wisdom for the success of the Meeting.

Due to COVID-19, our program preparations have been regrettably delayed. For this, I offer my sincere apologies. Nevertheless, in line with the SDG theme, we have listed 17 topics and are planning to hold programs with deep relevance to each theme. We expect to offer presentations from leading clinical and research specialists. The Meeting Secretariat has also created 17 icons representing the 17 topics. I hope the Meeting will help raise awareness on the spirit and activities of the SDGs.

In terms of how the Meeting will take place, we are considering a hybrid format as befitting academic conferences of the future regardless of the COVID-19 situation. We will put mechanisms in place to enable members to access the latest information without stress, even for those whose on-site participation is difficult due to various reasons including care of family, geographical matters, and so on. Although we are still in the exploratory stages in some areas, we are committed to hosting a Meeting that leaves no member behind, ensuring the full connection of everyone who wishes to participate.

I am sure the venue, Chiba’s Makuhari Messe, is familiar to JSDR members. JSDR2002 will have in-person presentations and corporate exhibitions; therefore, I invite all who are able to join us physically to do so. The organizing and hosting team eagerly awaits your participation.

The 28th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation President Masako Fujiu-Kurachi, Ph.D. (Professor, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare)

	The 28th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation President Masako Fujiu-Kurachi, Ph.D. (Professor, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare)