International Federation of Biosafety Associations

July 2010

Dear Colleagues,

It is a great honor and privilege to represent you, the international biosafety community, in my new role as Co-chair of the International Federation of Biosafety Associations. This association is vitally important to our global community of scientists, biosafety professionals, laboratory personnel, architects, engineers, academics and policy makers who have a common interest in advancing biosafety and biosecurity. We work together in countries around the world to deliver sustainable biosafety and biocontainment laboratory capacity within the greater framework of strengthening health systems.

This year, we hope to inspire excellence for our association as we plan for and carry out "2011- Year of Building International Biosafety Communities". We will focus our activities towards the growth and sustainability of our new and emerging member associations who play an important role in raising awareness and facilitating enhanced biosafety and biosecurity practices, on the ground, where they are needed most. Empowering these associations and ensuring that they continue to grow in a focused, meaningful and sustainable way will lead to true growth of global biosecurity and biosafety.

We have made increasing support to our membership one of our top priorities and have begun the process of enhancing our website to enable more peer-to-peer support, promotion of cross-lateral activities and provision of resources. I encourage you to submit upcoming conferences, training events, association goals/bylaws, biosafety guidelines and other information to the secretariat for posting on IFBA website. We also recognize mentoring as a noteworthy way to share a wide range of knowledge and experience. Our secretariat has received a number of requests from well established biosafety associations who wish to provide guidance and support to new, emerging associations. Please contact the secretariat if you are interested in participating in this program.

I will be updating you on our many other new activities underway over the coming months and look forward to an exciting time ahead for the IFBA.

Warm regards,

Maureen Ellis, RM, RBP

Co-Chair, International Federation of Biosafety Associations