The 17th IATS Seminar was affected by an unusual and unclear intervention by Nepalese government officials, following which the conference had to be switched to an online format. As this happened unexpectedly and shortly before the conference was due to begin, it caused considerable problems and significant financial losses for the conference participants. Nepal has lost credibility as a host for major academic conferences.

However, whilst the conference was taking place, a huge tragedy struck Nepal in the form of a massive flash flood. Floods are still ravaging Nepal at this very moment. As an expression of sympathy for the people of Nepal, the IATS Board has decided to donate a symbolic sum of 500,000 NPR to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund from the amount that had previously been allocated for the preparation of the next conference. Our thoughts are with those suffering as a result of these severe natural disasters.

Daniel Berounský
President of IATS