FASD-CAN has recently signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CanFASD, NOFASD and FASD Hub Australia.

It’s a cooperative agreement between ourselves and these three exceptional national FASD organisations (not governments) in Canada and Australia, which aims to advance knowledge, research and collaboration.

One thing we all agree on is increasing the involvement of our indigenous and first nation people, deeply valuing the knowledge and expertise they contribute to addressing FASD and its underlying causes. 

Our collective aim of this five-year MOU is:

• Strengthening and expanding networks that support families, clinical services, research, and community engagement across partner organisations.
  
  
• The promotion of academic research excellence in the areas of alcohol use during pregnancy, FASD diagnosis, and evidence-informed interventions.
  
  
• Facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices across research, clinical care, education and advocacy.
  
  
• FASD-related tools and resources to improve prevention, diagnosis, intervention and public awareness.
  
  
• Ensuring meaningful inclusion of individuals and families with lived experience of FASD in the design, implementation and evaluation of collaborative initiatives.

This is a first, even though we’ve had such long-term, strong relationships with all three organisations – we’re keen to see where it will lead.

We’ll keep you updated as this evolves and informs some exciting future mahi.