Call for Abstracts

Submit Your Abstract

Present your work at the 4th CHW Symposium

Organized Session Oral/Poster Presentation

We are excited to welcome abstract submissions for the upcoming 4th International Community Health Workers (CHW) Symposium — a global gathering to celebrate, learn from, and amplify the work of community health workers across diverse settings.

We invite abstracts that reflect a wide range of perspectives from grassroots initiatives and field-based learning to research, policy, and systems-level innovations. Whether you’re a CHW sharing lived experience, a program implementer, or a researcher contributing evidence, your voice is vital.

This page outlines everything you need to know to prepare and submit your abstract. You can download the full guidelines as a PDF for easy reference, or simply scroll down to view the detailed instructions and criteria below.

Before Getting Started

Abstracts must only be submitted through the Submission Portal only
Please read through the full abstract submission guidelines (available below or as a PDF) to understand the required format, structure, and evaluation criteria.
Ensure your abstract is clear, concise, and within the character limit (e.g., 2,000 characters). The abstract should include all required components (e.g., context, objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions).
You have the option to upload a short CV or resume of the presenting author. If provided, the file must be in PDF or Word format and not exceed 1 MB.
The form cannot be saved midway, please ensure you have a stable internet connection and enough time (~15–20 minutes) to complete your submission in one sitting.

Conference Theme and Sub-themes

Theme: On the Front Lines: Empowering Community Health Workers to Create Equitable Health Systems in Contexts of Crisis, Migration, and Exclusion

We invite submissions that explore the resilience, leadership, and innovation of CHWs in these complex contexts. We encourage submissions that align with one of the symposium’s sub-themes, which represent priority areas for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and action.

You may select the sub-theme that best reflects your work during the submission process.

Submission Process

Prepare Your Abstract: Ensure your submission meets the guidelines outlined below.
Complete the Submission Form: Access the Submission Portal to complete your application. Enter your personal information, abstract/organized session details, author information, and relevant sub-theme.
Review & Submit: Double-check all information and complete your final submission before 31 August 2025 at 11:59PM PST. You will receive an automated confirmation email upon successful submission.
Review Process: Abstracts will undergo a review based on set evaluation criteria. Authors will be notified by 30 September 2025 at 11:59PM PST regarding the status of their submission.

Important Notes:

Presenting authors may only present one abstract but can be listed as co-authors on others.
Duplicate abstracts submitted by different first authors will be rejected.
Submissions can be edited until the submission deadline.
If your abstract is accepted, you must register for the conference to confirm your participation.

Abstract Guidelines

The 4th International CHW Symposium will accept abstracts in two categories: Oral/Poster Presentations for individual participants to present academic research or programmatic work, and Organized Sessions for multiple speakers to present their work around a shared topic. Please select the category that best fits your submission.

To support your preparation, you can also download an abstract submission checklist outlining key requirements, formatting tips, and important reminders.

I. Oral/Poster Presentation Abstract Structure

Share research findings, case studies, innovative programs, or policy discussions by submitting an abstract for an oral/poster presentation. If your abstract is accepted, you will be informed whether it has been selected for an oral presentation or a poster presentation based on availability and the overall program structure. If your abstract is accepted, you will be informed whether it has been selected for an oral or poster presentation.

The abstract must be 2,000 characters or fewer, excluding the title, author(s), and affiliations.

- Corresponding Author/Presenter: Enter the name and affiliation of the key presenter(s) involved in the presentation.
- Co-Authors: Enter list of names and affiliation of all co-authors involved in the session.
- Abstract Theme: Select the conference sub-theme that is most relevant to your work.
- Abstract Title: Use proper capitalization (e.g., Role of Community Health Workers in Enhancing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention in Rural Areas) and do not add line breaks. Maximum is 250 characters.
- Abstract: Provide context for the research, addressing the problem or issue being investigated.
  - - Clearly state the objectives of the research or study. Explain how the study contributes to advancing knowledge, policy, or practice.
    - Describe the methodology or approach used in the study. Explain data collection methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, case studies, field observations).
    - Provide information on analysis techniques, if applicable. Present key results and findings from the research. Highlight significant patterns, trends, or impacts, if applicable.
    - Summarize the conclusions drawn from the study and its implications for the field or practice. Suggest recommendations for future research, policy development, or implementation strategies, if applicable.
- Keywords: Include 3-5 keywords, separated by commas relevant to your abstract to facilitate indexing and categorization.
- Motivation: Briefly describe why you wish to attend the 4th CHW Symposium. What interests, goals, or challenges drive your participation? You may reflect on your commitment to community health, relevant work or experiences, or how you hope to contribute to and benefit from the symposium.

II. Organized Session Abstract Structure

Propose a panel discussion or an interactive session (30, 45 or 60 minutes) to engage participants in knowledge exchange, or skill-building. The abstract must be 2,000 characters or fewer in total, excluding the title, author(s), affiliations, and motivation.

- Corresponding Author/Presenter: Enter the name and affiliation of the key presenter(s) involved in the presentation.
- Co-Authors: Enter list of names and affiliation of all co-presenters involved in the session. Example: Jane Doe (University of XYZ), John Smith (NGO ABC)
- Session Format: There are two session format options for this type of activity:
  - - Panel Discussion (30, 45 or 60 minutes) – A structured discussion featuring a panel of experts or practitioners exploring a specific topic. The session may include brief presentations, video screening, audience engagement, and interactive discussions to encourage knowledge exchange.
    - Workshop/Interactive Session (30, 45 or 60 minutes) – A dynamic session designed to actively engage participants through hands-on activities, facilitated discussions, or skill-building exercises. This format encourages collaboration and practical learning.
- Abstract Theme: Select the conference sub-theme that is most relevant to your work.
- Session Title: Use proper capitalization (e.g., Role of Community Health Workers in Enhancing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention in Rural Areas) and do not add line breaks.
- Background: Provide context for the session, addressing the problem or issue being discussed.
- Objectives: Clearly state the goals of the organized session. Explain how the session will contribute to advancing knowledge, policy, or practice.
- Proposed Session Agenda: Outline how your proposed session will be structured over the allotted time (e.g., 30, 45 or 60 minutes). The agenda should reflect a clear flow, balance between speakers or segments, and opportunities for audience engagement.
- Motivation: Briefly describe why you wish to attend the 4th CHW Symposium. What interests, goals, or challenges drive your participation? You may reflect on your commitment to community health, relevant work or experiences, or how you hope to contribute to and benefit from the symposium.

By submitting an abstract, you agree to the following conditions:

If your abstract is accepted, you are committed to registering and attending the 4th International CHW Symposium. Failure to register by the communicated deadline will result in your abstract being removed from the conference program and excluded from the Abstract Supplement.
We encourage the submission of original material that has not been published or presented elsewhere prior to the symposium.

FAQs

1. Who should submit abstracts for the 4th International CHW Symposium?

Submissions are welcome from:

Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Researchers, academics and students
Government officials and policymakers
NGOs, CBOs and international organizations
Private sector and health innovators

Collaborative abstracts that bridge research and practice are especially encouraged.

2. What language should I use for my abstract submission?

Abstracts for Oral/Poster Presentations and Organized Sessions are only accepted in English. Presentations in languages other than English may be accommodated with translation services depending on interest and feasibility – such opportunities will be shared with participants following the acceptance of their abstract.

3. Will accepted abstracts be published?

Authors may choose to submit a full paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings. Indicate your interest in the submission form. All accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings.

4. Do I have to attend the symposium in person if my abstract is accepted?

No. The 4th International Community Health Workers Symposium will be held entirely online. If your abstract is accepted, you will present virtually and no travel is required.

Please note that all live sessions will follow Indochina Time (GMT+7 – Bangkok time). We encourage all presenters to plan ahead and ensure they are available to present in this time zone.

Submit Your Abstract

Ready to contribute your voice and insights?
Use the form below to submit your abstract for consideration at the 4th International CHW Symposium.

Organized Session Oral/Poster Presentation