Welcome message in advance of Beijing congress
09/09/2009
For the first time since its founding over 110 years ago, the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists is holding its biennial congress in China (Beijing, October 11–14).
Dr Hubert Wachsmann, a distinguished past president of the IULTCS, was instrumental in preparing the ground for the event to be held in China and has sent a message of welcome to the organisers of this, the thirtieth congress.
“IULTCS is as important as it has ever been since its inception in 1897,” he states. He also explains the background context to the holding of the congress in China. “Just 20 years ago, at the IULTCS Congress in Philadelphia in 1989, when I was elected as president, the leather industry was entering a phase of growth, in both volume and quality. As an indication of the growth and change that have occurred within our sector, and that we may take for granted today, Asia was at that time mainly represented by Japan and, indirectly, by Australia through its UK parent society, the SLTC.
“The growing importance of Asia was becoming very clear at that time. During my term [as president], and then as past president, I was delighted that we were able to direct attention towards the emergence of Asia as a whole, and, with the help of my Japanese friends, the Asian societies properly became more and more influential in IULTCS affairs and committees.
“By1999, within a decade, India was the organising host of an IULTCS Congress for the first time in Asia, when it was held in Chennai—the name today itself indicative of our changing world, having been known as Madras for so long. Now we look forward to the first IULTCS Congress to be held in China.”
According to Dr Wachsmann, who in recent years was consultant editor of World Leather, the work of the international commissions must be nurtured and kept in permanent focus. The physical and chemical testing methods maintain their importance and relevance in a changing world and these guidelines smooth the path of cooperation in a difficult global business environment.
“New problems will undoubtedly occur,” Dr Wachsmann says, “whether in the field of ecology, environment, technology or education. There will be more than enough to exercise the minds of future generations of leather chemists and technologists. It is therefore vital that IULTCS remains faithful to its founding concepts and ensures its place in the world of science and technology.”
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