Adding a Stone to the IUPAC Edifice (Vice President's Column) (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry‪)‬

It has been eight years already since I began to take an active part in IUPAC. That period coincided with the beginning of the project system in its present form. The high effectiveness of the system and the general high standards of our organization make me very happy and proud to belong to the Executive Committee and to be one of the five officers. To be honest, I feel somewhat anxious to be as successful as my predecessors. When I look at the work of some recent presidents, I need to be very optimistic to be up to the task! However, without challenges life would be somewhat monotonous. I am fully aware of the huge potential and the tremendous strength of the IUPAC membership, working with so much willingness and determination for the benefit of science worldwide. Thanks to their efforts, chemists in scientifically emerging countries are having a far easier time learning and practicing chemistry. I sincerely hope to bring my stone to this edifice. As I begin my term as vice president of IUPAC, it is still the moment to express wishes. But before that I will tell a story.