THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES:

  • Conducting cooperative research, based on international cooperation - the activity and involvement in the EU projects,
  • Facilitating collaboration and sharing knowledge among scientists and experts from industry and trade,
  • Organizing Global Workshops, Conference s and Meetings and world-wide circulation of proceedings,
  • Analyzing bast fibres world market and its future trends,
  • Collecting statistical data on flax and other bast fibres,
  • Consulting services, experts data bases,
  • Focusing on new textile and non-textile applications of flax, hemp and allied fibres and their by-products.

The FAO/ESCORENA Network, is coordinated by the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poznan (Poland) and Prof. Dr. Ryszard Kozlowski has been holding the position of Coordinator since 1989.

There are six Working Groups within the Network: WG/1.Breeding and Plant Genetic Resources, WG/2 Extraction and Processing, WG/3. Economics and Marketing, WG/4. Quality, WG/5.Non-Textile Applications, WG/6.Biology and Biotechnology. The Groups have got chairmen from Czech republic, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Belgium, UK, USA. The Network is represented in South America, in North America and in the Middle East and China.

The Network conducts intensive publishing activities as well; every year it edits and disseminates 2 issues of the information bulletin EUROFLAX Newsletter, delivered to the Network members all over the world, to FAO in Rome and to libraries.

 

All the conferences organized by the Network are documented and the conference materials are published mostly by the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, as the special editions of the Natural Fibres Yearbook.

So far the Network has organized: European Regional Workshops, several international conferences, many meetings (Workshops) of Working Groups, a few meetings of Coordinating Board and Panel of Experts. It also has co-organized many international conferences connected with natural fibres.


Future plans of FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and other Bast Plants in 2010 and 2011:


Conferences and events with the involvement of  the Network:

October 3 – 6, 2010, Dubrovnik, Croatia. ITC&DC, 5th International Textile, Clothing & Design Conference - Magic World of Textiles. President of Scientific and Programme Committee: Ivo Soljačié, Croatia. President of the Organisation Committee: Prof. Dr. Zvonko Dragčević, University of Zagreb. E-mail: zvonko.dragcevic@ttf.hr, website:http://itcdc.ttf.hr. Conference under patronage of ESCORENA.

August 11 - 13, 2010, Austin, Texas, USA. International Symposium on Renewable Feedstock for Biofuel and Biobased Products - The Role of Non-Food Fiber crops: Kenaf, Jute, Hemp, Flax, and Allied. Organized by CCG International Inc., Co-organizers: School of Human Ecology, The University of Texas at Austin. Supporter: Center for Biorefining, University of Minnesota. Contact: Aimin Liu, E-mail: liuxx063@umn.edu, Website:  ccgconsultinginc.com/Documents/2010%20SymposiumAd.pdf

November  29 – December 3, 2010. Havana, Cuba. International Conference Center, Havana, Cuba. FIBRATEC 2010 - VI Symposium on Natural Fibers: Full Use and Applications. A part of the 15th Scientific Convention on Engineering and Architecture, President of Organizing Committee at CETER CUJAE: Dr. Tania Carbonell Morales, Havana, E-mail: taniac@ceter.cujae.cu.

President of honour: Prof. Dr. Ryszard Kozłowski, Institute of Natural Fibres & Medicinal Plants. Website: www.cciacuba.com/index.php. Conference under patronage of ESCORENA

11th International Conference on Frontiers of Polymers and Advanced Materials – 11th  ICFPAM, Pretoria, South Africa, 22-27 May 2011. Prof. Dr. R. Kozlowski – Member of the  Organizing and Scientific Committee.

Future endeavours:

 

  • Efforts towards creation of the e.g. European Platform for Natural Fibres or co-operate with another technology platforms,
  • Developing the activities within ESCORENA system and ESCORENA Focal Point at INF&MP,
  • Continue of the activities connected with the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009 (proclaimed by UN and FAO) e.g. through  active involvement in the actions of the IYNF Steering Committee within the: DNFI -  „Discover Natural Fibres Initiative”, 
  • Searching for projects - to support financially the Network activities.

ESCORENA Memmbers