ISHS Acta Horticulturae 196: Symposium on Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Breeding
WELCOME ADDRESS |
| Author: | D.C. Giacometti |
| Abstract:
In the name of the Secretary General of the International Society for Horticultural Science, Mr. van der Borg, I welcome the participants to the International Symposium on Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Breeding wishing to all of you a successful Symposium and a pleasant stay in Brasilia. We are very happy indeed as for the first time the International Society for Horticultural Science succeeded in having a joint scientific event in Brazil thanks to the hospitality and interest of the Brazilian Society of Fruitculture and of the organizers of the 8th Brazilian Congress of Fruitculture. To both we want to express our warmest gratitude. The initiative of the members of the Brazilian Society of Fruit-culture in having this joint Symposium met the wishes of the ISHS for involvement with horticultural research and activities in Brazil as well as the needs for updating discussions on the present situation of tropical and subtropical fruit breeding since the last symposium in such an important subject was held in India 28 years ago. The International Society for Horticultural Science was founded in 1959 replacing the Committee for Horticultural Congresses founded in 1923. The general objective of this Society is the advancement of Horticulture through improvement of international co-operation in science and technology. The Society achieves its objectives through the International Horticultural Congresses hold every 4 years and has held 21 Congresses. The 22nd will be held this year in August in Davis, California; the four Sections deal with groups on horticultural crops: fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal and aromatic plants. The nine Commissions are engaged in various scientific and technical aspects of horticulture; the working groups on the Symposia on specific topics like this Symposium. The following publications are produced by the ISHS: Chronica Horticulturae the Society's bulletin which appears 4 times a year, Acta Horticulturae devoted to the proceedings of symposia, Scientia Horticulturae and the Proceedings of International Horticultural Congresses. The Society today has 3,000 members from 85 countries. In this opportunity I want to invite Brazilian Scientists to join the ISHS as the highest International Organization on Horticultural Science. Before I stop, I want to tell our foreign visitors a short historical note about Brasilia.
In 1812, therefore 154 years ago, a French Scientist, August Saintlaire has passed through Central Brazil and come very close to where Brasilia stands today.
He was very enthusiastic about the natural resources and the climate of this plateau which is 1.100 meters high.
In his report 'Voyage à la Province du Goyaz' he made a historical prophesy, he wrote: here is the place to build the capital of a great empire.
We Brazilians are not interested in the great empire as we just dream of having a country with social justice, freedom and prosperity for all, but the capital was built 26 years ago So here you are enjoying the sunny summer, the clean air and the beautiful green which replaced the savana.
Thanks to all the participants and all the success in our Symposium. | |
