President's bulletin: International practice pathway

In just the last 50 years, the world has dramatically shrunk - at least in terms of travel time. Journeys that once took weeks by ship can now be completed in a matter of hours. But in speeding things up, have we lost something?

What was once an experience filled with stories and gradual discovery has, in some cases, become a quick act of consumption. That’s why the CIEH’s Environmental Policy rightly promotes minimising unnecessary travel.

And so, on the morning of 6th May, it was with genuine pleasure and without a single air mile that I logged online early to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Melissa Burn, President of Environmental Health Australia (EHA).

This is the first agreement of its kind between our two organisations. It enables mutual recognition of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and Australia, allowing qualified professionals to practice across both jurisdictions.

More than a symbolic gesture, this MoU strengthens international collaboration, responds to global environmental health challenges, and helps address the critical shortage of EHPs in both countries.

It opens doors to greater career flexibility, extraordinary cross-continental opportunities, and a platform for shared learning and innovation. For today’s practitioners, the world really is opening up.

This agreement would not have come to life without the dedication and persistence of many, especially those in academia.

My sincere thanks go to all who have helped shape and secure this outcome. I hope this becomes a model for further international agreements and helps us tackle workforce pressures on a global scale.

If only I were starting my career, not ending it - the world truly is becoming an EHP’s oyster!