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Presidents Message 2011-04-14
Welcome to EBSA- The European Bio-Safety Association!
Dear Colleagues,
2011 has been introduced as the Year of Building International Biosafety Communities. Recognized as a source of knowledge and expertise in the field of biosafety and biosecurity, EBSA is contributing significantly to the realization of this theme.
As non-governmental, non-profit and independent organization, EBSA provides a platform for its members to gain insights and share experience on all matters related to biosafety and biosecurity. Since it's foundation in 1996, EBSA has continued to grow and during the past year we have increased our membership to 375 individual members and 18 corporate members from 22 European countries and 11 outside Europe.
EBSA members actively participate in working groups of WHO, the European Commission and in European countries. They also support the set-up and implementation of biosafety and biosecurity management systems in academic and governmental institutions.
Two major projects in which EBSA is actively involved, namely the development of an implementation document to the existing CEN-Workshop Agreement 15973 on Laboratory Biorisk Management and the harmonization of the postgraduate and continuous education of biosafety professionals in Europe (CEN Workshop 53), will be concluded in 2011. The milestones of completing these projects mark a transition to implementation and we are looking ahead to facilitating the successful integration in our daily activities.
EBSA also follows closely the development of the EU CBRN Action Plan and is decided to contribute experts to this discussion that is key to the responsible use of biological material.
Our activities are largely based on the relentless work of many volunteers in our Working Groups and Task groups. Operational aspects have been clarified so that contributors can focus on the goals and deliverables. We are grateful for any member wishing to contribute in any of these groups.
Local and regional organizations are an effective way to reach out to biosafety professionals throughout Europe. Many colleagues are only part-time responsible for biosafety or biosecurity; thereby being even more in demand of useful information and support tools. EBSA will further increase its network in countries and support local organizations by helping on organizational matters as well linking information resources.
Finally, EBSA fosters its relationships with other organizations outside of Europe. Our alliances open up a broad range of contacts to our members. As a founding member of the "International Biosafety Working Group" (IBWG, formerly known as the "International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA)"), EBSA is committed to the promotion of biosafety through international collaboration.
As an organization, we depend on the input of each individual member. Therefore, I invite and encourage you to participate in working groups and task forces. If you have concerns or see a future need EBSA should cover, the Council and I would gladly accept your input. Do not hesitate to reach the council under or myself under .
Sincerely
Patrick RÜDELSHEIM
President 2011-2012
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