IFOS Notes:
ICO Forum on Leadership in Lahore;
2008 General Assembly in Hong Kong

Dear IFOS Members,

This first issue of IFOS Notes in 2007 focuses on two events that should be of interest to members of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS), one next month and the other more than a year away:

1. On February 25th in Lahore, Pakistan, the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) will host an “ICO Forum on Leadership” at the 22nd Congress of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO). I encourage ophthalmologic society leaders in the Asia Pacific region to participate.

2. The next IFOS General Assembly will be on June 27, 2008 in Hong Kong, at the start of the World Ophthalmology Congress, which will offer free registration to IFOS Representatives.

1. ICO Forum on Leadership February 25 in Lahore

IFOS Representatives and other society leaders from the Asia Pacific region are invited to participate in an “ICO Forum on Leadership” that we will host on February 25, 2007 in Lahore, Pakistan during the APAO Congress.

Members of the Council and APAO and leaders from the region will speak on leadership, development of ophthalmologic societies, new approaches to ophthalmic education and effective advocacy. We will also ask participants about their needs as ophthalmologists and society leaders and how the ICO might help them and their societies.

The Forum will be from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. on February 25th at the Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore.

If you are interested in participating, please contact ICO Executive Director Bill Felch at wfelch@icoph.org. There will a limit of 30 participants, and we would like to have as many different societies represented as possible. Ophthalmologists from small countries who are interested in developing a society are also welcome. 

The APAO Congress is February 24 to 28 in Lahore in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee of the Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan. See www.apao2007.com.

2. IFOS General Assembly on June 27, 2008

The next General Assembly of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS) will be from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2008 in Hong Kong, the day before the start of the World Ophthalmology Congress, from June 28 to July 2.

There will also be an ICO forum on leadership the afternoon of June 27th, starting at 1:30 p.m., and all leaders of IFOS members will be invited to participate. So I would encourage you to plan to be in Hong Kong no later than Thursday, June 26.

3. Free Registration to Hong Kong WOC for IFOS Representatives

President Dennis Lam, MD, and the organizers of the World Ophthalmology Congress in Hong Kong will provide free registration to the Congress for the official Representative to the IFOS General Assembly from each IFOS member.

Later this year, we will ask you to let us know who your IFOS Representative in Hong Kong will be, and we will coordinate the free registration with the Congress organizers.

4. Free Registration for Lead Authors of Best Papers

The 2008 World Ophthalmology Congress in Hong Kong will also provide free registration for the lead authors of the best free papers selected by IFOS Members. Details of that program will be announced in the future.

Please mark your calendars now and plan to join us in Hong Kong starting on June 27, 2008 for the World Ophthalmology Congress. For more information, visit the Congress Web site at: www.woc2008hongkong.org.

With warm regards,

Bruce Spivey, MD
ICO President

945 Green Street
San Francisco, CA, 94133, USA
(1-415) 409-8410
Fax: (1-415) 409-8403
spivey@icoph.org
www.icoph.org