<p>EURACHEM Portugal: A thorny way...</p>
<p>The EUROANALYSIS VII Conference in September 1990 was the first one on Analytical Chemistry after EURACHEM had formally been founded. When Bernard King presented the initiative to an audience of nearly one thousand participants, Filomena Camoes (University of Lisbon, Portugal) understood that EURACHEM emerged as a real focal point for the analytical community, attaining an important role in and beyond Europe. At that time, 12 member countries had already signed the MoU. Despite existing contacts, Portugal didnŽt join in, but Filomena Camoes was co-opted as a National Delegate. Being aware of the relevance of the organisation, she attempted to direct the attention of national organisations concerned with QA to the necessity of, and the support for a portuguese EURACHEM representation, but without much resonance.</p>
<p>Although time and resources were scarce and no support available, a systematic personal participation in the activities of the Measurement Uncertainty WG and some collaboration with Education and Training WG was ensured. An outcome of the latter one was the portuguese contribution to the Glossary of Analytical Terms (published in Accred Qual Assur). It was felt that these activities were still far from being sufficient, and that related national activity had to be intensified. A national organisation was required, but although some attempts had been made (in particular on the occasion of the EURACHEM Committee Meeting held in Lisbon in 1993, and the IUPAC General Assembly), the desire couldnŽt be fulfilled until recently.</p>
<p>... and promising solutions</p>
<p>Finally, RELACRE, a confirmed portuguese network of accredited laboratories, took the initiative of promoting the formation of a Secretariat with the responsibility for coordination of all national and international activities within the scope of EURACHEM. A two-year mandate has been given to Filomena Camoes and to Leopoldo Cortez (Portuguese Institute for Quality - IPQ) to preside the newly formed EURACHEM Portugal in order to ensure continuity in, and definition and development of activities.</p>
<p>The portuguese team feels that EURACHEMŽs 10th anniversary, which has recently been celebrated, is a good reference point to mark the birth of this new national structure, which has all our enthusiasm and gives the guarantee of a fruitful, mutually beneficial involvement of the most diverse portuguese institutions.</p>
<p>Curiously enough, this occurs at a time when Portugal is organising the EUROANALYSIS XI Conference which will take place in Lisbon from 3 to 9 September 2000.</p>
<p>Filomena Cam&otilde;es<br />
EURACHEM Portugal<br />
(EURACHEM Newletter Winter 1990/2000)</p>
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