Brave new world: Technologies and opportunities for bringing together entomologists from around the globe. Shirley A. Hanrahan, School of Animal Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, WITS 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa

The possibilities opened up by generating an International branch of the Entomological Society of America are discussed from the point of view of a person living in Africa. This is a continent where communication is exceptionally difficult, with diverse languages and very poor communication via road, rail and air. Modern technology offers an opportunity to leap from third to first world and simply bypass the infrastructure so essential to development in the twentieth century. There will be a brief review of what is available and a live demonstration.

What are the features that Africa has to offer in an international exchange? They vary from cutting edge research into fields such as biocontrol to a wealth of insect species evolved under turbulent and harsh conditions.

The next meeting of the International Congress of Entomology to be held in 2008 in Durban will provide an ideal venue to explore this idea further with entomologists from other countries.