IWTO Congress Paris, France
The 79th Congress of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) has just ended on a very positive note for the future of wool. The event took place from May 3 – 5, 2010 in Paris. Under the theme "Wool – Change to a Healthier and Safer Environment", prominent speakers made the event a valuable experience, presenting a broad spectrum on the current developments of the global wool industry.
Environmental issues
The Congress under the topic “Wool – Change to a Healthier and Safer Environment” attracted some 300 delegates from 23 countries around the world. A broad range of prominent speakers made the Congress a valuable experience, showing a broad spectrum on the current developments of the various stages of the wool industry.
The Congress has impressively shown through a number of IWTO run projects and other initiatives that wool as material for apparel, interior textiles and technical textiles is having a remarkable renaissance as the preferred choice for many applications, traditional ones and new ones, especially through its many natural attributes and ecological benefits.
Wool for buildings
Highlights were the extraordinary possibilities and variations for creative and innovative applications with wool, which were quoted during the Round Table Discussion with internationally renowned architects who recently attended the IWTO Architects Workshop in New Zealand, namely Louis Becker (Henning Larsen Architects A/S, Copenhagen, DK) and Heinz Richardson (Jestico Whiles Architects, London, GB). The session was led by Dietmar Danner, CEO and Editor-in-chief of the AIT-Architects Magazine.
Animal welfare in the foreground
The unique ambience and high level in animal welfare within the wool industry was highlighted by speakers at the “Animal Welfare & Environment Session”. Andrea Gavinelli from the EU Commission “Animal Welfare Unit”, Daniela Battaglia from the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Michael C. Appleby, Chief Scientist Adviser from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), referred to the very positive efforts of the wool industry in regard to animal welfare. They agreed to cooperate in future to assure best practices within the world wide wool industry, ensuring that the welfare of the animals is the focal point of attention.
ITWO President re-elected
At the Congress Assembly, Günther Beier has been re-elected for another term as IWTO President. As new IWTO Vice President, Peter Ackroyd (GB) was elected, replacing Osman Kilic (Turkey) whose term ended at the Congress.
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