IUPAC2021 IUPAC first Virtual World Chemistry Congress and General Assembly
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by Neil Burford
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n behalf of the Organizing Committee for IUPAC|CCCE 2021, I am delighted to invite you to the 51st IUPAC General Assembly (GA) and 48th World Chemistry Congress (WCC), in conjunction with the 104th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CCCE). The IUPAC|CCCE 2021 events will be hosted by the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), the Canadian National Committee for IUPAC (CNC-IUPAC) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC). Canada has previously hosted the IUPAC GA & WCC in Vancouver (1981) and Ottawa (2003). The original plans for IUPAC|CCCE 2021 were for the events to take place in Montréal, QC, Canada, 13-20 August 2021. Unfortunately, as travel to Montréal are impeded by the global pandemic, all events associated with IUPAC|CCCE 2021 will occur virtually. As chemical sciences professionals, we know conferences are a key venue for professional development, networking, and scientific advancement, and we will work to ensure that these principles stand true for the virtual event as well. While not a replacement for in-person events, this new endeavour will synthesize the best of our in-person events, with the convenience and accessibility of a virtual event. Beyond that, a virtual experience provides unique opportunities to engage a global audience, reach more young professionals, reduce our environmental impact, and stay safe.
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For details, see iupac2021.org and program details at https://www.cheminst.ca/conference/ccce2021/ program/program-overview/ I am grateful for the dedication, hard work, skills, and commitment of the Organizing Committee (listed below), which is composed of members of the CSC, NRC and staff of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC): • Bruce Lennox (McGill University, Chair of the WCC) • John Polanyi (University of Toronto, Honorary Chair of the WCC) • Kim Baines (Western University, Co-chair of the WCC Technical program) • Jeremy Melanson (National Research Council, Co-chair of the WCC Technical program) • Marc Janes (NuChem Therapeutics Inc., Liaison
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Chemistry International
July-September 2021
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with industry partners for the WCC) Shan Zou (National Research Council, Coordinator of the GA) Thomas Baumgartner (York University, CSC Director of Conferences) Joan Kingston (CIC Director of Finance and Administration) Paul Smith (Xerox Canada, Chair of the CIC and Interim Executive Director) Claire Duncan (CIC Manager of Membership, Communications and Marketing) Keith Lapierre (CIC Program Coordinator)
I have very much appreciated the guidance and support of the IUPAC executives Lynn Soby and Fabienne Meyers, and the IUPAC Bureau Member Chris Ober. As well, the Committee has enjoyed coordinating and collaborating with representatives of the IUPAC Division Presidents and Committee Chairs. The Congress emphasizes the vital role of chemistry in the future of society under the title of “Solving Global Challenges with Chemistry.” The program is coordinated under five themes that collectively offer 86 symposia. Plenary lectures by world-class scholars will punctuate each of the themes: • Chemistry for Energy (Plenary speaker: Donald R. Sadoway, MIT) • Chemistry for Health (Plenary speakers: Petra Fromme, Arizona State University; Margaret Brimble, University of Auckland) • Chemistry for Society (Plenary speakers: Zafra M. Lerman, Malta Conferences Foundation; Alison Thompson, Dalhousie University) • Chemistry for Sustainability (Plenary speaker: Paul Anastas, Yale University) • Chemistry at the Frontiers (Plenary speaker: Makoto Fujita, University of Tokyo) The 51st General Assembly meetings of Divisions and Committees and the IUPAC Council are scheduled in advance of the Congress and all will occur virtually (https://www.cheminst.ca/conference/ccce2021/ general-assembly/). The next generation of chemists is represented by the International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN), who will also hold a virtual IYCN General Assembly, and has identified the United Nations Sustainable Developments Goals as a focus for a symposium during the WCC. In addition, the participation of Young Observers during the General Assembly is encouraged. The World Chemistry Leadership Meeting (WCLM) will take place over a 24-hour period beginning in
