Symposium Notes (number corresponds to Symposium number)

1) The historical process leading to the establishment of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) began in 1964 in Trinidad and Tobago. A group within the University of the West Indies conceived the holding of a series of crop-orientated symposia and, in view of local relevance, "Tropical Root Crops" was selected as the first topic.

Thus, in April 1967, one of the first ever formal meetings of workers on tropical root crops was held at St Augustine. This symposium brought together many hitherto isolated workers from many countries. The benefits were so apparent that there was a unanimous call for the formation of an organization to continue such meetings. A loose association was established, held together by a continuing committee, a newsletter was published and distributed and the University of Hawaii offered to host a second symposium three years later.

2) The ISTRC Constitution was formally adopted and ISTRC came into existence as a legal entity. From that time on, ISTRC has held triennial symposia.

7) Between the 1983 and the 1985 symposia, the Constitution of the Society was revised and updated and the General Meeting of the 1985 Symposium approved replacement of the 1970 Constitution with the newly prepared Constitution. Also, during this period a "Directory for Aroid Researchers" was prepared by the Society.

11) Hosted by the University of the West Indies at St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the Society).