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It is the end of 2008 and it has been an interesting year for the World Association for Medical Law (WAML). Since our Secretary General, Prof. Rafael Aguiar-Guevara, resigned there has been a transition period which is still undergoing some issues but, to all intents and purposes, it has been fairly uneventful. This has been due to the close working relationship between Adv. Oren Asman, the Deputy Secretary General, and Rafael who, together, have ensured that the new website and its workings continue to function faultlessly. I extend my thanks to both of them and trust that this close liaison continues into the future.
Tom Noguchi, with the help of Cathie Bagwell, the professional account manager, has continued to streamline the accounting procedures. Together with the Executive Committee (EC), who also act as that Credentialing Committee and the Standard Operating Procedures Committee, they have ensured that the process of accepting new members moves forward in a seamless fashion. I am pleased to report that each month, since Beijing, there have been a considerable number of applicants who have experienced this new procedural change and it appears to be operating efficiently to everyone's satisfaction.
The EC has been in at least weekly contact, and at times more than daily, contact. This has been despite the very hectic programs of all concerned with our president teaching ethics in Minsk, the treasurer teaching in Japan and the executive vice president running a case in front of the Privy Council, in London. I offer this information to demonstrate the true standing of the representatives of WAML and to advise you of how international my colleagues on the EC truly are. It continues to give me great pleasure to work with such an incredible group of colleagues and it is a privilege to learn from them.
The EC is starting to receive the second monthly reports from the organisers of the next World Congress on Medical Law (WCML) to be held in Zagreb in 2010. These reports provide an on-going reminder of how much work is involved in the running of these important international meetings. Prof Bernard Dickens and I have been honoured with an invitation to serve on the Scientific Programming Committee of the Zagreb meeting and we have accepted with pleasure. I was delighted to work with Bernard in a similar role for the Helsinki WCML and I have no hesitation in stating that to have someone of Bernard’s reputation on the Scientific Committee automatically gives the conference a stature and standing beyond reproach.
Jonathan Davies has accepted the challenges of being the chairperson of the Council of Presidents and has been actively canvassing options to improve its contribution to WAML. He is establishing a dedicated window of activity on our webpage and I commend all representatives of national and international bodies within the domains of legal medicine, health law or bioethics to make contact with Jonathan, via our Internet connections, to explore the potential of becoming affiliated with the Council of Presidents and to join WALM as individual members.
The new chairperson of the Audit Committee, Dale Cowan, has also maintained close contact with the EC. His enthusiasm is palpable and I have no doubt that the Audit Committee will continue to closely monitor the way WAML acts and tends to its responsibilities. The creation of the Audit Committee was one of the ways that Amnon Carmi wanted to ensure that all of WAML' S activities were transparent in their commitment to its members. Dr Terhi Hermanson was the chair of the Audit Committee, since its inception, and was fearless in her preparedness to criticise without favour, as is expected from that committee. Having passed this responsibility onto Dale, I am sure we will have no less scrutiny in the administration and operations of WAML. One of Terhi’s catch cries was a demand for transparency and it is hoped that these reports go some way to ensure that you, the life blood of WAML, are kept informed.
For those of you who have enjoyed our official journal, Medicine and Law, I have some very sad news. Our editor, Dr. David Nachson, passed away. He performed his duties in a very professional manner and I was very moved by the many tributes from those on the editorial board who attested to his mammoth contribution over the years. He will be missed by all those who enjoyed his contribution to our journal.
The vacuum left by David had to be filled and it is my pleasure to introduce you all to Mohammed Wattad who has accepted the role of editor of the journal. I have already had contact with Mohammed and I know that the journal remains in good hands and will continue to make a valued contribution to health law, legal medicine and ethical debate.
Having provided you with a brief update of the activities of WAML , since our successful WCML in Beijing, in October, I invite each of you, our members, to become more involved in the Association. The Internet home of WAML is your home and thus I invite you to enjoy what it has to offer and to join in its activities. Please tell us what has happened in your part of the world. Share any of your concerns and establish an active "chat room" that encourages interaction which should be enjoyable for everyone.
My last duty for this, the last Secretary General’s message for 2008, is to wish each and every one of you a happy and successful festive season. For those of you who will be celebrating Christmas, may it be full of joy and may it herald a period of peace for the world, irrespective of one's colour or creed. The those enjoying Hanukkah, may the ‘Festival of Lights’ light up not only your lives but also the lives of others around you such that no one goes hungry nor in pain. For those of you who have just celebrated the holiday of Eid al-Adha, may you have a prosperous year, and for the others, irrespective of your denomination or belief, may we all come together as one large family committed to each other. May 2009 be a year in which terrorists stop killing innocent people, when the hungry have enough to eat and may love and caring motivate the world's leaders in an atmosphere of tolerance and generosity.
Roy G. Beran
Secretary General
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