News from the General Secretary

   The XIXth World Congress from 1-5 June 2009 in Sao Paulo has been one of the biggest World Congresses in the history of IFOS, more than 6500 colleagues and 2000 accompanying persons enjoyed an excellent scientific program and an existing social program.

   Delegations from the majority of our membersocieties were present at the General Assembly. During the General Assembly, Seoul South Korea was chosen as the location for the XXth World Congress in 2013. Thanks go to Singapore who had a very good performance as candidate. During the General Assembly a change in the constitution was approved in which the sub-specialty committees became Standing Committees and the chairpersons were included in the Program Advisory Committee.

   Also new Executive Board members were elected.

Europe – 5 positions
Dr. H. Stammberger, Austria
Dr. F. Őz, Turkey
Dr. J. Magnan, France
Dr. M. Profant, Slovak Republik
Dr. V. Lund, United Kingdom

Africa and the Middle East – 2 positions
Dr. M. Khalifa, Egypt
Dr. J. Fagan, South Africa

South and West Asia - 2positions
Dr. Mohan Kameswaran, Chennai, India
Dr. R.P. Shrivatava, Kathmandu, Nepal

East Asia – 2 positions
Dr. Lokman Saim, Malaysia
Dr. T. Yagi, Japan

Oceania 1- position
Dr. V. Cousins, Australia

North America and the Caribbean- 2positions
Dr. D. Brown, Canada
Dr. E. Novelo-Guerra, Mexico

Central and South America -3 positions
Dr. E. Dolci, Brazil
Dr. Carlos Stott, Chile
Dr. H. Ruiz, Argentina

   One member from the successful bidding national society for 2013


   The New Executive Committee had their first meeting at the end of the Congress with a lot of new initiatives.    The nomination committee was elected and is now composed of namen.

   Thanks to the Scientific Standing Committees and their chairmen and the cooperation with the Local Organizing Scientific Committee we had an excellent meeting.

   The team of Prof. Paulo Pontes as President and General Secretary Ricardo Bento are the key to the success. In the General Assembly Dr. Pontes was elected as President and Dr. Passali received with gratitude for his presidency the nomination as counselor.
   Also Dr. Hamilton as past Regional Secretary of Africa and the Middle East was nominated as counselor for his long and outstanding work for IFOS.

   In the General Assembly also initiatives of IFOS were approved as the Worldwide Action Hearing for All (see chapter) and Education (see chapter)

   I would like to thank everyone involved in this organization and the registrants for their active participation.

                                                                                                                     Jan J. Grote
                                                                                                                General Secretary