International Association of Botanical and Mycological Societies (IABMS)
Save the date!  The Australian flora with its many endemics and strong Gondwanan element, provides a unique opportunity full of inspiring experiences for the botanical visitor --Melbourne 24-30 July 2011.
The International Botanical Congress (IBC) is a major convention of scientists from around the world to discuss new research in the plant sciences. The IBC is held only once every six years, and last met in Australia in 1905. These Congresses are particularly notable in that they bring together scientists not only from many countries, but also from many disciplines within the broad research field of plant science, including botany, mycology, plant ecology, horticulture, agriculture, and related fields. The increasing knowledge about plants—their history, growth, uses, interactions with other organisms, and roles in the ecosystem—is becoming progressively important to the stability and sustainability of the human endeavor and, indeed, of all life on Earth.

The XVIII IBC will be held under the auspices of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), through the International Association of Botanical and Mycological Societies (IABMS) of the IUBS. The XVIII IBC in Australia will be organized by many members of the botanical community, including botanical, mycological, and ecological societies, universities, botanical research institutions, and other sponsors. The first circular will be sent in 2008 to all botanists and institutions through society mailing lists or on request.

IABMS comprises all international organizations with interests in botany and mycology that are scientific members adhering to the International Union of Biological Societies (IUBS). Prof. Dr. Marianne Popp, University of Vienna, and Prof. Dr. Michael Hesse, University of Vienna, Presidents, IBC XVII, will serve as ex officio Presidents of the IABMS board until the midpoint before the 2011 XVIII IBC, after which time Dr Judy West, Australian National Herbarium, CSIRO, Canberra, and Prof Stephen Hopper, University of Western Australia, Perth, Presidents, IBC XVIII, will serve.  Other board members are the presidents or other representatives of the societies. Currently, there are twenty three IABMS members. Officers elected at XVII 19 July 2005 at Vienna, Austria, are Prof. Meredith Blackwell <mblackwell@lsu.edu>, Chair, and David Mabberley <davidjm@cfr.washington.edu>, Secretary, who will serve until the next International Botanical Congress in 2005.
Committee IBC 2011 Melbourne

Presidents
Dr. Judy West, Australian National Herbarium, CSIRO, Canberra
Prof. Stephen Hopper, University of Western Australia, Perth

Vice-Presidents
Dr. Jeremy Burdon, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra
Prof. Pauline Ladiges, University of Melbourne

Secretary-General
Prof. Mark Burgman, University of MelbourneScientific

Program Committee Chairperson
Dr. Tim Entwisle, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney


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History of IABMS
The goals of IABMS adopted at the Yokohama XV International Botanical Congress (1993) are: Toward these aims the practical task of the IABMS is to ensure the continued organization of International Botanical Congresses.  In choosing a Congress site, a committee composed of IABMS members screens proposals and recommends a site to IABMS members.  On 7 August 1999 at St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the sexennial General Assembly of the IABMS, concurrent with the final plenary session of XVI International Botanical Congress, unanimously accepted the recommendation that the XVII International Botanical Congress be held in Vienna, Austria, 17-23 July 2005.
 Australia’s botanical community is eager to welcome international colleagues to the 2011 IBC for an intellectually stimulating and socially memorable occasion.
Last modified: 10 January 2007
Maintained by Meredith Blackwell
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