IFCS Special Recognition Award
IFCS Special Recognition Award recognizes those contributing in an exceptional way on a special chemical topic or activity. Individuals, institutions or groups are eligible for the Special Recognition Award
2008 Recipient:
Dr Lilian Corra
International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE)
International Secretary
Past President
Argentinean Association of Doctors for the Environment (AAMMA)
President and founder
Buenos Aires
Argentina
Dr. Lilian Corra is a paediatrician/neonatologist with a strong background in environmental education and environmental issues. She has extensive experience on the impacts on health of environmental factors.
Dr. Corra founded the Asociación Argentina de Médicos por el Medio Ambiente (AAMMA) in 1992, which is linked to the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) (created in 1989). She is Past President (2005/2007) and currently Secretary for International issues of ISDE. Dr Corra is co-founder and member of the International Coordinating Committee of the International Network on Children’s Health Environment and Safety (INCHES), created in 1998 and promoted by WHO. ISDE and INCHES have Consultative Status with WHO and participate in WHO activities on Children's Environmental Health (CEH) (HECA, Working Groups on CEH Training Materials for Health Care Providers and on Communication of Uncertainty on Children Chemical Safety, among others). Dr Corra is also a member of the Steering Committee of the International POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Elimination Network (IPEN). Dr Corra coordinated the Champion’s Group to promote the IFCS IV Recommendations to Protect Children from Harmful Chemical Exposure on behalf of the IFCS President (2003-2006).
Dr. Lilian Corra has done remarkable work in raising awareness about chemicals and human health, and especially on the impact of vulnerable population groups - children. Her work has been done internationally, as she acts via international NGOs and as an individual involved in numerous international events - where her voice is always heard. Her efforts led to a large number of child-oriented chemical safety activities and to research initiatives. Dr. Corra has been involved in the planning and implementation of capacity-building activities on chemical safety and human health, contributing in a significant manner to international efforts.
The "Perfil Sana" whose preparation she lead in Argentina (2007) is the most recent and clear example of an integrated approach to environmental and chemicals safety issues at the province and national level where a large number of sectors, disciplines and individuals were called to contribute - and delivered! Dr. Corra has fostered chemical safety efforts both in her country - Argentina - and in the South Cone countries, including Brazil - and has also been influential in other parts of the world where a sound message was pivotal in inspiring decision-makers and motivating action.
Dr. Corra has facilitated networking among professionals who share an interest in chemical safety, highlighting how and when to intervene - and overall - demonstrating that there is a role for everybody with an interest on chemical safety as the basis for sustainable development.
Since 2006 Dr Corra has been a member of the Science Committee of the International Academy of Environmental Science (IAES, based at the University of Venice, Italy) and is member of the Collegium Ramazzini. Dr. Corra is responsible for the academic area “Environment and Health” for the Graduate Degree in Environmental Management at the National University of Litoral. She also coordinates the academic area “Environment and Health” in the Graduate Degree in Public Health Program at the Institute for Human Development and Health (Medical Municipal Association of the City of Buenos Aires). In February, 2008, Dr. Corra was elected to the Board of Directors, Pacific Basin Consortium (PBC) for environment and health.