[1].           

Place: Brazil - Difficult to reach because of the limited flights, it will be difficult and expensive too for all participants except those in Americas to travel to Recife. Graduate students and post-docs from every endemic country will find it difficult to raise the support to attend. I guess it will be expensive for participants of most European countries as well.

Spain: - Central and very approachable for vast majority of leishmaniacs including students, cheap flights will be available 

Organizers: Nothing to choose between the two sites

Management- Science – Similar

 Conference Hall etc  -  Almost similar

Conference fees  - Again very similar  at the two sites

 International, national and local transportation information and service -  Spain has a great advantage of approach, number of flights, flexibility etc. as compared to Brazil

 Lodging: It appears as though the onsite hotel at Recife is going to be much more expensive and the choice is very limited as compared to Madrid.

 Budget – Spain seems to have their resources already identified with a net income of >240,000 Euro which I suggest should be spent on supporting the participants especially students.

[2].           

Very recent reports indicate that leishmaniasis appears to be increasing in Spain.

LeishTrop is an unique endeavour in the control of leishmaniasis.  It is an upcoming ambitious programme and their decision to organize WL5 is challenging and inspiring.

Brazil, no doubt has established credentials in holding successful meetings, has forged long term successful collaborations with leishmaniacs worldwide, of which we are all well-aware therefore in the spirit of WorldLeish it becomes the duty of us as members to draw global attention of government and funding agencies, doctors, scientists, epidemiologists etc to Spain, who have shown interest and harnessed together a community LeishTrop to organize WL5.

Brazil is an established destination in all aspects for leishmaniasis research but let us give Spain a chance to forge more alliances and collaborations.

Going through their proposal I find no financial restraints for LeishTrop towards the organization.

[3].           

Both proposals are excellent and well organized. Each group is highly capable of running an exciting, efficient, and enjoyable meeting. The convention facilities at both sites seem sufficient for a meeting of ±1000 participants.

WorldLeish1 - WL3 were hosted in Europe, and WL4 in India. Given that both proposals are excellent, I prefer to see WL5 take place in Brazil, rather than Europe, in order to allow more scientists and students from surrounding South American countries to attend this important meeting, and promote interactions with leishmaniasis researchers from abroad. I think that this is important; especially since the leishmaniases are widespread throughout this region, and a large number of researchers are located in South America.

In addition, the Brazilian location is more self-contained and isolated from potential distractions. I feel this is an advantage, as it will focus and promote interactions among the meeting participants. Participants will stay on site and be less likely to spend time sightseeing or shopping. I hope that this will promote better networking.

I have only two negative comments regarding the Brazilian location: 1) the Hotel prices given in the proposal seem high, though a quick search of internet booking sites suggests that a wide selection of alternative accommodations in various price ranges are available, and 2) flights to Recife from most locations outside of Brazil will be significantly more expensive than comparable flights to Madrid. I hope this latter fact doesn’t discourage participation in the meeting, and it will be necessary to provide fellowships or waive registration fees to scientists and students from Africa and Asia in order to attend the meeting.

[4].           

   The plans for funding appear equivalent (similar international sources).

    Pre-conference tours: Both seem a bit weak here—and obviously this is not the most important aspect for consideration. It seemed that these were limited in Brazil and might be primarily to other parts of the country (hard to link with the congress). In Madrid, these were local (Madrid) tours – although there are interesting tours within the vicinity of Madrid that could be considered.

   The costs to go to Brazil (May) are higher from the USA and Europe than to go to Madrid (April); however, the hotels in Madrid will be higher—so cost-wise these maybe relatively equivalent.  As funding is tight world-wide at the moment I think costs need to be a major consideration.

    There is more culturally to do in Madrid- which is great—but maybe not the point for the meeting.

Having this in Madrid would disadvantage our colleagues from South America; having this in Brazil would disadvantage the Middle East and European groups. However, at this point there has always been emphasis on Europe—maybe this is the time to change.

    In terms of the organization, the Madrid group has a more detailed proposal. The timeline suggests that they have thought out the process and will be prepared.  That being said the group in Brazil has organized many international meetings – so this is not new and should be an event that they can readily handle. However, the lack of detail was a negative.

    Unknowns: With the economy in Spain in flux—there could be problems in 2013—transportation strikes???  This is not a major concern though.

[5].           

Both proposals are very attractive and organized by high level specialists in leishmaniasis. They have both several strong points, not exactly in the same domains.

Nevertheless, as the first four World Leish have been organized in the Old World, of which three were located in the Mediterranean region, it is essential that the next WL might be organized in the New World. Such an alternation is already in use for the International Symposium on Phlebotomine Sandflies (ISOPS).

Moreover, Brazil is a highly endemic country, where various Leishmania species and different clinical forms of the disease occur. It has a long term tradition of research in the field of leishmaniasis, and the proposed local organization committee includes a large number of well-known experts in leishmaniasis.

Brazilian societies of Tropical medicine, Protozoology and Parasitology regularly organize successful international meetings and have the capability of organizing an exciting WorldLeish 5.

[6].           

    Brazil is an excellent choice if it does bring together those working on leishmaniasis throughout the Americas and the Old World.

    However, one potential disadvantage of Brazil is that few from endemic regions of the Indian subcontinent and Africa may make it to the meeting, whereas Spain is more accessible and readily reached at low cost from the Americas, India and Africa.

    Therefore if Brazil is selected efforts should be made to minimize registration, accommodation and travel costs (cost of living in Brazil is said currently to be high?) to seek financial resources (as offered by Spain) and to arrange scholarship support to facilitate representative attendance.

    So Spain is also a good option.

Having just submitted an evaluation marginally in favour of Brazil, I see that …a very strong case for Spain. I think it is important to look carefully at the comparative substance and detail behind Brazil's proposal.

[7].           

After 3 WL held in the Mediterranean region and 1 in Asia, it seems logical to have the next one in Latin America. The region is illustrative of several paradigms of leishmaniasis, the principal one being the diversity. There are several research groups in the sub-continent and this localization will allow them to participate massively. Brazilian colleagues have an excellent track record in the organization of great meetings.

[8].           

- Both candidatures are excellent , however after Mediterranean and India it is time for Latin America

- The largest diversity in the world of leishmanial agents and associated diseases is found in Brazil

- The list of involved scientists from different Brazilian “Schools of Leishmaniasis” is impressive

- Brazilian societies have the capacity of organizing successful international meetings.

[9].           

I think it is a very close call, with both sites having strong points. Both of strong organizing committees

There are always advantages to having meetings in the endemic countries, and that part of Brazil is very nice.

I think travel may be easier to Madrid though, and it might increase the representation of European workers. I am not sure I saw the relative costs of the two meetings. In any event I think my vote would be that it is a 'tie'.

[10].        

I would go for Brazil. The earlier WorldLeishs was held in India. It would be a good idea to have the meeting in a different continent. The plan from Brazil looks a lot more attractive and details have been very well worked out.

[11].        

Both applications seem excellent in most ways and either would be appropriate and a good choice. Whilst recognizing that WorldLeish is yet to be based in South America and that the continent has very many working on Leishmania, I am concerned that the possibilities for attending the conference there would be more limited for many due to the travel costs compared with Spain. Hence my preference for Spain.

[12].        

High relevance and good scientific merit to hold WL5 in Brazil:

-        Opportunity to diversify the geographic location of WL5:  after Mediterranean Basin and Asia, it’s time to hold it in South America

-        Excellent opportunity, to attend WL5, given to researchers, control officers and program managers  of South and Central American countries endemic for leishmaniasis

-        Brazilian have high experience in carrying out international meetings and specially on tropical diseases (yearly meetings in Caxembu and Uberaba)

-        A lot of highly specialized human resources with great expertise

Brazil is the leishmaniasis most endemic country of American Continent and Permanbuco State one of the most endemic states of Brazil

[13].        

The location of Madrid for the meeting is more accessible, the conference facilities are excellent. Description of time frame and financial support is more detailed and convincing.

[14].        

While the proposal from Brazil is quite good, I believe the proposal from Spain appears better organized with better meeting facilities, and I believe the attendees will be served better by and be able to take better advantage of being in a world capital (Madrid).

[15].        

Both proposal were very good, with the Spanish one perhaps a little more detailed.  Nevertheless, I think that for political reasons, we really need to choose Brazil - there has not yet been a WorldLeish in the Americas!!!  I guess the only objection one could make is that the next ICOPA is in Mexico City.  Obviously, the Madrid site is more convenient for the Europeans and Middle Eastern contingent, but it is hard to pass up Brazil.   I am sure they can arrange good local support, so I will have to cast my vote that way.

[16].        

Either is fine with me, but it appears that Brazil is the clear favorite, and that could be a good idea as long as it doesn’t make it difficult for EU and African attendees

[17].        

The major concern I have at this stage is that it is not easy to generate enough travel support for  students and to some extent for colleagues to travel to Brazil. Therefore, I believe that the participation of colleagues may be limited in case it comes in favor of Brazil.   However, it is reasonably easier to manage some funds to travel to Europe.  Thus I have decided to vote for Spain.

[18].        

Both sites are excellent, but it seems appropriate to have this meeting in Latin America for the first time.

[19].        

1.     All clinical forms of Leishmania infections are major health problems not only in the Latin America

2.     There has never been a WL held in the Latin America.

3.     Brazilian Institutes and scientists listed have proven track record in successful organization of large international meetings.

[20].        

Brazil has a complex profile and high incidence of leishmaniasis, as well as a large group of researchers/trainees in leishmaniasis research. It is the time to have the WorldLeish in Brazil.

[21].        

Both candidatures are excellent. However since WorldLeish1 – WorldLeish3 were hosted in Europe, and WorldLeish4 in India/Asia, I prefer to see WorldLeish5 take place in South America, rather than Europe. Also Brazil is the most endemic country for leishmaniasis in South America. Organizing WorldLeish5 in Brazil will allow more scientists and students from South American countries to attend.

[22].        

We have had 3 WorldLeishs around the Mediterranean and one in India. The choice of Brazil would acknowledge the crucial role of South American scientists in Leishmaniasis research. It would also present an excellent opportunity for young South American parasitologists to attend, something that was difficult at the last WorldLeish.

[23].        

[24].        

Leishmaniases is a serious public health problem in Brazil. Also, Brazil is the country with the biggest number of Research groups and leishmaniacs in the New World. List of Brazilian scientist who will be involved is impressive.

[25].        

It seems most appropriate to have the next WorldLeish in Latin America, since we have never had one of these meetings in an endemic site for New World leishmaniasis.  Most likely there will be increased representation from scientists from Central and South America, which will also be appropriate.  The organizers of both proposed meetings are excellent. In particular the Brazilian organizers have a history of working together planning other meetings.

I think the Spanish site would be an excellent choice for a future WorldLeish meeting if the organizers are still interested.

[26].        

The Brazilian proposal can be strengthened by considering the following points:

1. Mobilizing leishmanics in Rio, Sao Paulo, Brasilia to assist WL5 participants who must layover in these places en route to Recife. The assistance may include the formation of a “welcome party” or at least individual contact information for help with transfer and, if necessary, accommodation as well as pre-/post-conference institutional visits, sightseeing, etc.
2. The Brazilian organizers all have tremendous credentials as the Presidents of Brazilian Societies of Tropical Medicine, Parasitology and Protozoology. That will undoubtedly bring to WL5 a substantial amount of expertise, experience and clout, which hopefully will include the formation of a young team to facilitate frequent and effective communication expected in large volume with participants for handling their problems/questions and with the scientific committee for developing the program, etc.