Global Community

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) serves and collaborates with a diverse international and domestic community of members and the general population with an active interest in global health initiatives. Through the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR), the ACR has close partnerships around the world with the African League of Associations for Rheumatology (AFLAR), Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR), European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), and Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR).

Membership and Engagement

Membership

The ACR/ARP is proud to offer membership to physicians, researchers, and health professionals across the globe. Our global members represent 87 countries from around the world. We aim to work with our global members and partners to better understand local need and challenges in the field of rheumatology. We are continuing to explore how to address these challenges and tailor our support to our global members and promote diversity and inclusion as we empower rheumatology professionals to excel in their specialty. Learn more about membership options.

Global Engagement Committee

The ACR established the Global Engagement Committee (GEC) in August 2020 to foster and coordinate international and global ACR/ARP activities, collaborations and exchanges. The GEC concerns itself with strategic, collaborative activities promoting productive interactions between the ACR, its international members and constituents, and international rheumatologic societies. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding global collaborations and opportunities focusing on education, training, research, and volunteering. The GEC coordinates with various ACR and ARP committees on all products and programs with a global reach. In pursuit of this mission, the GEC will organize and establish such subcommittees and task forces as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its objectives, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee and Executive Vice President.

For more information about the Global Engagement Committee, contact global@rheumatology.org.

International Advisers Network

International advisers (IAs) are the ACR’s local representatives around the world, engaging with members and organisations and helping to identify opportunities for ACR activity. They provide advice and guidance on a range of professional, education and training, cultural and political issues, giving insight into health systems and local epidemiology.

International Advisers must be members of the ACR, in good standing, with a commitment to the work of the ACR. Appointments are honorary and made for a three-year term subject to an annual review. An individual can be reappointed for a maximum of three terms (9 years). International Advisers must live within the country/region they represent, if they relocate, they will be expected to demit from their role and a replacement will be sought.

For more information about the International Advisers Network, contact global@rheumatology.org.

Distinguished International Rheumatology Professional Award

Each year, the ACR/ARP recognizes its members’ outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program. The Distinguished International Rheumatology Professional Award is awarded to a rheumatologist or rheumatology professional outside of the U.S. and Canada for exceptional contributions in public service and advocacy to the global rheumatology community. Learn more about the Distinguished International Rheumatology Professional Award.

Educational Activities

Global Rheumatology Summit

ACR Convergence 2024 Global Rheumatology Summit
The ACR Global Summit will provide a platform to highlight the global burden of rheumatologic diseases, the challenges and success of different health systems and international rheumatology professionals. It will continue to create a space to bring rheumatologists and health professionals together from different parts of the world to talk about topics that are of mutual relevance and concern. The 2024 program will continue to showcase innovative rheumatology education, training, research, and partnerships around the world.

The Global Rheumatology Summit took place virtually on November 14. Please see the ACR Convergence On-Demand Website for details.

Note: This content is only available to ACR Convergence 2024 registrants.

Meet the Experts – Global Education Series

The ACR is pleased to offer the Global Meet the Experts Webinar Series, a quarterly virtual educational series for a global audience of rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals.

Past Meet the Experts Session Recordings

• ACR Global Meet the Experts: Auto-Inflammatory Diseases – May 2024
• ACR Global Meet the Experts: Lupus Nephritis - March 2022

Questions?
Contact global@rheumatology.org.

Joint Global Conferences, Courses, & Events

The ACR collaborates with other global rheumatology associations and institutions to deliver joint conferences, review courses, and events designed to advance the field of rheumatology by bringing the latest scientific and clinical information to rheumatology professionals worldwide. If you are interested in speaking at a global ACR meeting, or if your organization is interested in partnering with the ACR to deliver a joint education event, complete the form below.

Joint Global Meeting Interest Form

For more information about joint global conferences and speaking opportunities, contact global@rheumatology.org.

Research Activities

Rheumatology Research Workshop

The Rheumatology Research Workshop (RRW) is a two-day meeting designed to foster collaboration, facilitate mentoring and promote interactions between established scientists and rheumatology fellows, junior faculty and other researchers who are early in their career. International ACR members are welcomed and encouraged to apply. International applicants can apply for ACR membership at the time of application.

All attendees will receive up to a $750 travel award for accommodation and travel expenses from the ACR. Awardees are highly encouraged to seek matching funds from their institution.

For more information about the Rheumatology Research Workshop, contact Latonya Trower at ltrower@rheumatology.org.

Training Activities

Scholarships

ACR Convergence Scholarship - Phil Robinson Global Scholars Program
Established to honor a founding member of the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance, colleague, friend, and leader in rheumatology, Philip C. Robinson, MB ChB, PhD, FRACP, the program will provide scholarships to register for, travel to, and attend ACR Convergence and participate in bespoke workshops, networking, and mentoring activities during the meeting.

The program aims to foster collaboration, facilitate mentoring, and promote interactions between early career rheumatologists, rheumatology professionals, and patient advocates around the world and develop future rheumatology leaders.

The 2024 Phil Robinson Global Scholars are:

• Faleye Ayodele, MBBS, FWAC Pead, PgDip Paed Rheum, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
• Siddharth Jain, MD, DM, MRCP, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
• Svitlana Samsonenko, MD, PhD, Dnipro State Medical University, Ukraine
• Gurveen Soin, MBChB, FCP, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Funding is made possible by contributions from the American College of Rheumatology and COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance.

Phil Robinson Global Scholars Program Details

Exchange Programs

The purpose of these programs is to promote the international exchange of clinical and research skills, expertise and knowledge within rheumatology and career development for young academic rheumatologists. These exchange programs allow participants to share knowledge and experience and are intended to create opportunities for future collaboration. In addition, these programs foster an alliance between the ACR and other rheumatology associations around the world and assist in identifying future leaders within the field of rheumatology.

ACR/EULAR Research Exchange Program
Early-career academic rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to exchange rheumatology knowledge and skills with colleagues during the EULAR 2025 Congress. Please check back for information for the ACR/EULAR Research Exchange Program 2025 call for applications.

ACR/APLAR Research Exchange Program
Early-career academic rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to exchange rheumatology knowledge and skills with colleagues during the APLAR 2025 Congress. Please check back for information for the ACR/APLAR Research Exchange Program 2025 call for applications.