International Confederation of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Research Associations (ICARA)
We are inviting you to support a new organisation, called ICARA[1].
ICARA is the International Confederation of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug (ATOD) Research Associations.It is an umbrella organisation for research societies across the globe concerned about alcohol and other drugs.It is an international, nongovernmental, multidisciplinary and civil society organization bringing together research societies to promote ATOD science through professional exchange, collaboration and action.
The mission of ICARA is to create an international network of research societies in order to promote, support and enhance research on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, nationally and internationally.
Why do we need ICARA?
There are at least 30 national, regional and international societies, aiming to bring ATOD researchers together for exchange of knowledge and experience, to promote the interest of ATOD research and to disseminate research results, through conferences and other professional development activities.
- An international confederation can take advantage of the knowledge and experiences that each of these individual societiesbrings to ATOD issues and increase the societies’ knowledge of global of relevance for addiction research activities.
Basic, clinical and social research has an increasingly important role to play in the shaping of health policies at the national and international levels. This is not always recognised in terms of research funding.
- An international confederation has more weight than individual societies.
Although ATOD science has become more and more international in its character, important cultural, economic and linguistic barriers to research collaboration andthe dissemination of research results still exist.
- An international confederation will provide the forum for research collaboration and dissemination across cultural groups.
Thealcohol, gambling and tobacco industries have internationalized their marketing activities, are expanding in developing countries and emerging economies, and often oppose evidence-based policies
- An international confederation will help ATOD societies to keep abreast of industry developments that affect the integrity of science and the translation of research into practice and policy.
National or regional research societies are much more prevalent in the economically advanced countries (i.e., Europe, North America, Australia), where the scientific infrastructure and the health and welfare systems are relatively well developed.
- An international confederation can play a vital role in supporting the establishment of new research societies in developing countries, and emerging economies.
What will ICARA do?
ICARA will provide a collaborating network, support structures and learning opportunities for research societies across the globe.
ICARA will provide:
- a forum for information exchange and mutual support, especially with regard to the very practical matters involved in running a successful research society such as conference organisation, running journals, establishing scholarships and so on
- information and education opportunities for society members to learn about such things asresearch integrity, scientific publishing, funding mechanisms, and evidence-based policy. .
- international cooperation in relation to advocacy for research funding
- a base for inter-organizational collaboration
- mentoring for new society leaders
- nurturing for new societies
We are inviting you to support ICARA by:
- coming to an international meeting, to be held in Lisbon, 29-30September 2012; and/or
- becoming a member; and/or
- following us on the ICARA website (
This initiative has been developed by:
- Prof Tom Babor, School of Medicine – Community Medicine & Health Care, University of Connecticut, USA
- Prof Jean-Bernard Daeppen, Lausanne University Medical School, Switzerland
- A/Prof Alison Ritter, Drug Policy Modelling Program, NDARC, UNSW, Australia
- Prof.Kerstin Stenius, Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs (SoRAD), Stockholm University, Sweden and National Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Prof Isidore Obot, Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse, USA & Nigeria
- Prof Sung Soo Chun, Graduate School of Health Science and Social Welfare, Sahmyook University, South Korea
- Dr Kate Graham, Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada
- Prof Mark Goldman, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, USA
- Ms Margareta Nilson, Head of Unit, Scientific Partners and Documentation, EMCDDA
- Dr Tuukka Tammi, Research Manager, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Dr Linda Bosma, Bosma Consulting LLC, USA
- Prof Gerhard Buehringer, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
- Prof Peter Miller, Medical University of South Carolina, USA
For further information, a copy of the preliminary By-Laws and details of our initial meetings, please contact Kerstin Stenius,
[1]ICARA means “friends” in Gaelic and also refers to a cushion protecting a woman’s head in one of the languages spoken in Nigeria.