Message from the Scientific Committee

Participants of the WCPGHAN 3 Iguassu Falls 2008:

On behalf of the Scientific Committee of the WCPGHAN 3 and the members of LASPGHAN we would like to invite you to participate in the exciting scientific program we have prepared for World Congress 3 to be held in Iguassu Falls; where you will also find the second largest water falls in the world shared by Brazil and Argentina.

The name Iguassu comes from the Guarani words y (water) and guasu (big). The legend says that a god planned to marry a beautiful aborigine named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In rage, the god sliced the river creating the waterfalls, condemning the lovers to an eternal fall. We hope all of you will play it safe, concentrating on the science and not enrage the gods by spending all your time in the many distractions/attractions you will surely find.

We have planned the Scientific program in a way that you can have the best of both worlds if you so choose. Concentrate on the best science in the morning, leaving the mid day for scheduled sightseeing (you will be able to take a bag lunch on the bus for a quick meal) and be back for the mid afternoon/early evening sessions for more science.

We have planned symposia, posters, and plenary sessions; there will be additional topics as poster sessions based on the emerging interests as reflected by abstract submissions.

The themes selected for the meeting are “Science, Family, Leisure and Ecology ”, the priority order of these options is for you to choose. We hope you will be able to balance your time between them and enjoy the science the member societies of the FISPGHAN from all over the globe will bring to Iguassu.

The river spans the heart of South America and has served to unite the various people that inhabit this continent for ages. We look forward to welcoming you in Iguassu, close to one of the largest tropical rainforest habitats. During your stay you will have a chance to appreciate not only the science and the scenery but also the culture and the hospitality of the people of Brazil and the Latin American region.

We wish you and your companions, safe travel.