Between 1967 and 1998 eleven East-West meetings were organised in Eastern Europe. They were initially conceived to foster scientific communication between members of the Association who worked on different sides of what used to be known as the "Iron Curtain." However, the rationale for wanting to encourage this communication between East and West changed over the years. Whereas once the objective was to maintain scientific links despite political barriers, the goal in later years became more similar to that of a standard conference: the exchange of ideas and information.

In the late 1980's and early 1990's it was suggested by some that the East-West meetings had become an anachronism, given the disappearance of the 'Soviet empire'. Still, the economic conditions under which members in former 'Eastern bloc' countries had to work were such that it still remained difficult for them to participate in scientific conferences as often as they might wish to. For the time being, the East-West meetings therefore continued to provide a meaningful forum in which Eastern European members could meet and exchange ideas with other members of the Association.

At the East-West meeting in Magdeburg (1998), and at the General Meeting in Oxford (1999), the Executive Committee discussed with representatives of former 'Eastern bloc' countries, to find out whether the East-West meeting still served the intended purpose. It was felt by all involved that in the future efforts of the Association might perhaps be directed more at encouraging members who are working under difficult conditions to participate in regular activities of the Association more generally. ' The early career development scheme', and especially 'the regional support grants' are intended as one way to achieve this, at least for the new generation of young scientists.

Overview of the East-West Meetings

1967 April 9 - 14 Vienna, Austria
1968 Oct. 7 - 11 Prague, Czechoslovakia
1974 May 6 - 10 Budapest (Visegrad), Hungary
1977 Sept. 12 - 16 Warsaw (Grzegorzewice), Poland
1980 May 13 - 16 Bologna, Italy
1983 May 16 - 20 Varna, Bulgaria
1986 May 27 - June 1 Graz, Austria
1989 June 4 - 10 Jablonna, Poland
1992 May 27 - June 1 Münster, Germany
1995 April 26 - May 1 Prague, Czech Republic
1998 April 23 - 27 Magdeburg (Gommern), Germany

Historical Information

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