The conference was organized by the Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine and the FAO Reference Centre for Veterinary Public Health of the Freie Universität Berlin under the aegis of the Association of Institutions for Tropical Veterinary Medicine (AITVM) and the Society for Tropical Veterinary Medicine (STVM).

The AITVM is a foundation of 24 veterinary faculties and livestock institutes based in Africa, Asia and Europe with the mandate to improve human health and quality of life by means of increased and safe food production in tropical regions through enhancement of research, training and education in veterinary medicine and livestock production within the framework of sustainable development. The STVM is made up of scientists, veterinarians and students from more than 40 countries with common interests in tropical veterinary medicine. It is a non-profit organization whose purpose is the advancement of tropical veterinary medicine, hygiene and related disciplines.

Since its founding in 1948, the academic ethos of the Freie Universtät has been determined by the three values truth, justice and freedom. Freie Universität is a modern, future oriented university setting directions on national and international levels. Its institutional strategy, rewarded by the German Excellence Initiative in 2007 and 2012, builds on the strength of international networking in the global competition among universities. Intensive networking in research and teaching has been fundamental to Freie Universität from the start. Its Centre for International Cooperation (CIC) strengthens the organisation and implementation of cluster development, collaborative research and international activities. The Dahlem Research School (DRS) as a comprehensive platform for excellent PhD programs, ensures integration of external partners and international cooperation.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine is one of 12 Departments of the university. It is one of five sites in Germany offering veterinary education. The Department is a prestigious centre of research in veterinary medicine and veterinary care services with 20 academic and clinical units which are part of a worldwide network. The Department with its Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine has ample experience in more than 50 years of research and training in tropical veterinary medicine and international animal health. Research and development activities have been focused on the control of emerging and re-emerging diseases, including vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. The FAO Reference Centre for Veterinary Public Health provides technical expertise, diagnostic services, laboratory and field training, is coordinating research and development studies and contributing to FAO projects. Presently, emphasis is on collaborative activities on building capacity to improve the safety of animal-source foods in Africa and on joint Master Programs in Veterinary Public Health with partners in Asia.

Co-Organisers

The co-organising institutions are partners with outstanding scientific and technical expertise contributing to the wide scope of themes of the conference. Comprehensive information on their mission, strategy and activities are detailed on their websites.

The co-organising institutions were:

• the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI)
• the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BFR)
• the German Veterinary Medical Society (DVG)
• Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany (VSF Germany)
• the Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU)