A major Yukon-based symposium on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will take place Sept. 28-29 in Whitehorse.

Sponsored by the Canada Northwest FASD Partnership, three Yukon government departments and several Yukon organizations, the two-day event will focus on gathering and sharing knowledge.

"The title, Walking Together, connecting practice and research to create change, is what this symposium is all about,” Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart, the Yukon's member of the parnership, said in June.

"The partnership has been supporting a number of research initiatives over the past five years and now it's time to see how we can take what we have learned and use it in practical terms here in Yukon.”

Approximately 150 individuals will attend the event, which will focus on using research to look at the prevention of FASD and support for those affected by the disorder.

While attendance is primarily for Yukon residents, other partnership representatives are welcome to attend.

Through the Yukon's participation in this consortium, which includes the four western provinces and three territories, the territory has received funding to host the event locally and bring in guest speakers who can best help local resources, Hart said.

FASD is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol.

The damage caused by alcohol exposure is permanent and individuals can experience physical, mental, behavioural and/or learning disabilities.

While there are no conclusive statistics on the number of people with FASD, Health Canada estimates that approximately nine in every 1,000 infants are affected by FASD. Prenatal exposure to alcohol is a leading cause of preventable birth defects.

The symposium is the third parnership event hosted by the Yukon.

An international conference was held in 2002 in Whitehorse, and a symposium in 2005 was held in Dawson City.

Partners in this year's event include the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society of Yukon (FASSY); Challenge Vocational Alternatives, the Child Development Centre; the Council of Yukon First Nations; Yukon College; First Nations Health Program (Whitehorse General Hospital) and the Kwanlin Dun First Nation.

Registration for the event opened in June.

Interested participants can register on-line at www.cnfp2010symposium.ca.