· web viewthe society had its first symposium at the university of the west indies, trinidad and...
TRANSCRIPT
The International Society for Tropical Root Crops
Keith Tomlins
President of the International Society for Tropical Root CropsNatural Resources InstituteUniversity of GreenwichMedway Campus, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UKEmail: [email protected] Web: www.ISTRC.org
The ISTRC is the only international forum to bring together root and tuber crops workers for the past 49 years since its formation in 1967. The society had its first symposium at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. It brought together many hitherto isolated researchers from many countries for the benefit of those who rely on root and tuber crops for their livelihoods, food security and health. The ISTRC, therefore, has its origins at the grass roots level and has since that time has continued to serve the community. The sustainability of the ISTRC is through membership, raising fees at each symposia, having elected Councillors and a constitution that has given good guidance. The Councillors represent all of the regions of the world where root and tuber crops are ether produced or consumed. That the previous 16 triennial meetings have all been highly successful is illustrated by the society continuing to attract an ever-widening group of members and you have now become key to this success and legacy. The General Meeting held at this Congress will be an important opportunity for us all to come together to discuss our future and elect the Councillors who will serve us all for the next three years. The ISTRC has regional branches in Africa and the Pacific and at this Congress, will form a new one for Asia with leadership from our colleagues here in China. The ISTRC is keen to consider collaboration. With respect to this, the ISTRC is collaborating with the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century – GCP21 - and most importantly, the Chinese hosts of the Congress. Professor Keith Tomlins, NRI is the 9th elected President of the ISTRC and he, the Executive Council and the Regional Councillors who represent South Asia, Africa, Caribbean, South Pacific, South America, North America and Europe all warmly welcome you to this Congress.