Dear Colleagues,
The 4th International
Congress for Nematology held in Arona, Tenerife (8-13June)
has scored an historical record of participants: 464 nematologists
from 64 countries, along with more than 70 spouses. This
high level of participation as well as the thanks and
congratulations that we have received and continue to
receive allow us to conclude that the Congress has been
successful, both by its scientific program and its social
activities.
Such a success can only
be achieved with the contribution of many people. Therefore,
I want to emphasis the effort of our staff members who
composed the Local Organising Committee; they all worked
very hard during the last year. I am also indebted to
the Scientific Program Committee, especially to its President
Prof. Thierry Vrain. Thierry did an excellent work by
chairing the committee and preparing the program and abstracts
book. Mrs Safia Siddiqi should be thanked for the magnificent
web site.
Special thanks must be
given to the two gentlemen I had beside me at any time.
Prof. Maurice Moens was always ready to help me with his
wise and prudent suggestions. Thanks Maurice, for your
help and understanding as well as for your job as Secretary
Treasurer of ESN. I wish you all the best in your new
responsibilities. Prof. Antonio Bello worked tireless
close to the authorities and obtained the facilities necessary
for a good congress. I express special thanks to the ONTA
friends, headed by Drs Rod Rodríguez-Kábana
and Forest Robinson, who have honoured the local committee
with a commemorative plate.
The Canarian people should
be thanked for their great hospitality. I thank the San
Miguel and Arico City Halls for their contribution to
the spouses program. I am grateful to the Counsellor of
the Environment of the "Cabildo Insular de Tenerife",
Prof. Wladimiro Rodriguez Brito, for his participation
in the wonderful field excursion that allowed us to visit
the most relevant crops, as well as the different scenarios
and environments of the Island. My special appreciation
goes to the Arona City Hall, which generously offered
us the Opening Reception and Closing Banquet.
In my farewell as ESN
president, I wish to thank everybody for the kind support
and understanding. I did my best; your help gave me extra
energy. Finally, my best wishes of success go to Drs Teresa
Bleve-Zacheo and Manuel Mota our new ESN President and
Secretary Treasurer, respectively. I am convinced that
ESN is in good hands.
Madrid, 20th June 2002
Click
here to see photos from FICN 2002
