It believes every individual is entitled to the highest possible standard of culturally appropriate healthcare, delivered in an atmosphere of trust and respect for human dignity, and underpinned by sound clinical reasoning and scientific evidence.

It encourages high standards of physiotherapy and global health by facilitating the exchange of information and producing resources.

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy was founded in 1951 by 11 national physiotherapy organizations from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, West Germany, Sweden, and the United States.

It has developed a structure of five regions, and close relationships with international independent organisations of physiotherapists with specific interests – 14 of which are now recognised as subgroups of World Physiotherapy.

The World Physiotherapy Congress is the largest international gathering of physiotherapists, bringing together clinicians, educators, researchers, managers, and policy makers.