1990 - Montreal
22-28/09/1990
23rd International Congress of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH)
The Montreal Congress is characterized by a complex scientific and organizational structure including 14 mini-symposia and 15 pre-congress events in addition to scientific communications.
Oral sessions and mini-symposia deal with 33 different topics, over 300 communications presented in 46 oral sessions and 57 communications presented at 14 mini-symposia. There is also an interesting “atelier” on the specific issue of the Congress called “Sharing Solutions”.
Structure of ICOH
The Constitution reform project worked out between the Sydney and the Montreal Congress, is approved during the latter. At the same date the new Bye-Laws come into force.
The new Constitution and Bye-Laws bring about some major novelties even in ICOH purpose which is now defined as follows: “it is an international non-profìtmaking, non-political, multidisciplinary scientific organisation whose sole purpose is to foster the scientific progress, knowledge and development of Occupational Health and related subjects on an international basis”. The main aim of ICOH is now substantially to provide “a forum for scientific and professional communication”, and in view of this “ICOH:
(a) sponsors international congresses and meetings on Occupational Health;
(b) establishes Scientific Committees in various fields of Occupational Health and related subjects;
(c) disseminates information on Occupational Health activities;
(d) issues guidelines and reports on Occupational Health and related subjects;
(e) collaborates with appropriate international and national bodies on matters concerning occupational and environmental health;
(f) takes any other appropriate action related to the field of Occupational Health;
(g) solicits and administers such funds as may be required in furtherance of its objectives.”
Also the Board composition is changed: the Officers are elected by mail and include President, two Vice-presidents and Secretary General. Members shall be from different countries and can be re-elected only once except for the secretary.
The Board (Conseil in French) will be elected by mail and will consist of Officers (Bureau), immediate past President and 16 members.
The roles of President and Secretary are still important and are characterized by more continuity. The President represents ICOH, chairs assemblies and Board meetings, authorizes expenditures in agreement with Secretary General, takes decisions on Scientific Committees, appoints chairs and approves secretaries, appoints editor of quarterly bulletin and appoints working groups for assistance in management.
As regards Scientific Committees, it is established that “The activities of each Committee shall be subject to periodic review by the Board (Conseil)”.
One of the two Vice-presidents will be in charge with review. A Committee may be dissolved by President after consultation with concerned Vice-president and Board (Conseil).
Also international congresses will be more carefully organized: still in charge with national Committees, the Officers shall however review the work of the Organizing Committee and make recommendations concerning the date and other activities. Besides it is established that: “Finances for the organization and conduct of the International Congress shall be the sole responsibility of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, which is entitled to ask the participants to pay a fee” to be fixed after consultation with Secretary General. Non ICOH member participants will pay an additional fee that will be transferred to ICOH by the President of Organizing Committee.