SETAC LA-Current situation and future perspectives.

PEDRO CARRIQUIRIBORDE; GUSTAVO M. SOMOZA

Guaraparí

Congreso; XIII Congresso Brasileiro de Ecotoxicologia; 2014

Sociedade Brasileira de Ecotoxicologia

Since its establishment in 1999, SETAC-LA has slowly but steadily growth, joining together professionals from several Latin American countries. The establishment of the board of directors with annual president turnover since 2003 refreshed the LA branch, changing the dynamic of the GU by allowing more member´s participation. By April 2014 the membership reached 190 (one hundred and ninety members) from 20 (twenty) different Latin American Countries (including Puerto Rico but excluding Mexico that is part of SETAC-NA). This number represents 3.2% of the total SETAC membership. Following a busy 2013, with an important number of studies presented in the Medellín (Colombia), Río Grande (Brazil) and Mar del Plata (Argentina) meetings, the SETAC-LA GU is also having a busy 2014 with this meeting and other in Neuquén (Argentina). An important point is that on the first SETAC-LA Council Meeting of 2014 it was approved the proposal for the organization of the SETAC-LA 2015 Meeting in Buenos Aires City. The SETAC-LA 11th Biennial Meeting will be held on September 7th to 10th, 2015 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nevertheless SETAC-LA has experienced an exciting development in the last years, however, this new stage will impose new challenges. 1. There is a potential of a SETAC-LA membership growth up to around 600 members in the next four years. 2. Sectorial balance. SLA sectorial composition was traditionally dominated by the academy that currently represents 69% of the membership. One important goal for the next years will be to demonstrate LA governmental and industrial sector the value the Society has in other part of the world to by providing support and advice in Environmental Quality Through Science®. 3. Bottom-up Participation. Once again, the main challenge ahead will be to change the way SLA members see their own role inside the society. Traditionally, members expect the initiatives depart form the Council Members and it is important to let them understand that is exactly the opposite way. They need to know they are the engine of the society and their initiative submitting proposals for organizing their own activities is essential for getting back the best fruits the Society can yield. In summary, SLA has experienced in the last years changed that impulse the GU to a more dynamic and organized branch. In the next years several new challenges will have to be faced, but surely exciting year will be coming up.