A Message from the President of IUTOX (March 2005)

Dear IUTOX Member,

The IUTOX Executive Committee (IUTOX-EC) generally meets twice a year during major international toxicology meetings to discuss the subjects on the agenda. The first meeting of 2005 was held in New Orleans on the 6th and the 7th of March during the SOT congress and the second meeting is scheduled during the EUROTOX meeting in Cracow in September 2005.

The effectiveness and the productivity of the work of the Executive Committee mostly depends on the coordination of the work carried out by the various commissions, committees and task forces in order to fulfill the objectives and the goals that had been defined by the IUTOX Strategic Plan. So, the greater part of the agenda of the Executive Committee meetings consists of discussion and debate on the reports prepared and submitted by these commissions, committees and task forces (see this IUTOX Newsletter for information from the various commissions, committees, and task forces). At the New Orleans meeting we have observed with satisfaction that the work of the present commissions, committees and the task forces was extremely effective and thorough.

Thanks to such work, I believe that, by the end of this term, we will be able to actualize all the objectives set by the IUTOX strategic plan.

Let me note that the major part of the work of the IUTOX-EC is being carried out by means of the electronic media: The e-mail traffic between EC members, IUTOX headquarters and member societies throughout the world is quite dense indeed. I sometimes try to imagine how our predecessors managed to function without the speed and ease provided by the world-wide net and appreciate their accomplishments all the more. In this context I feel that I should take the opportunity to note my grateful recognition of their contributions to the world of toxicology.

I am pleased to report to you that preparations on two important IUTOX organizations are successfully continuing –namely EUROTOX 2006/6CTDC in Croatia between September 20-24, 2006 and ICT XI in Canada between July 15-19, 2007. I believe that both of these congresses will be very successful in their scientific dimensions. Both meetings are being held in beautiful spots and I also believe that they will turn out to be memorable and even indelible social events.

I should also mention two other future IUTOX activities. Our Spanish colleagues have already started preparations for the organization of the ICT XII Barcelona meeting scheduled to be held in 2010. Meanwhile we have called on the member societies to submit bids for hosting The 7th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries in 2009. The deadline for bids to host this congress is December 31, 2005. The host for the 7th CTDC will be elected from among the bidders by the member societies in a mail-ballot that will be held in the first quarter of 2006.

You will find information regarding these events and other current IUTOX activities in this newsletter.

I cordially extend my best wishes to all IUTOX members and encourage those national societies of toxicology not now members of IUTOX to consider seriously membership in IUTOX.

Best regards,

Ali Esat Karakaya
IUTOX President
March 31, 2005