Rhiannon Harris, organiser of botanica2012
I’m so delighted that my vision of organising and hosting a major international conference on plant therapeutics and clinical aromatherapy is fast becoming a reality!
Several years ago, I began dreaming of showcasing the benefits and potentials of plant extracts such as essential oils in clinical settings. As a therapist and editor of the International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy, I was driven by an increasing sense of the impetus of change in health care provision towards a more holistic and integrative approach; providing concrete opportunities for inclusion of essential oils and plant extracts alongside regular medical care.
So what took me so long? I believe that the right moment reveals itself and for a long while I had been wrestling with the challenge of where to host such an important event. In late 2010, en-route to teach at a leading cancer centre in Ireland, I read an article about Dublin as a host city for international conferences…and as they say, the rest is history! Trinity College Dublin is truly the perfect location for botanica2012 and I know you will love the whole experience.
By nature, I’m a pragmatic person – I like demonstrating how information and research can be translated into action and as a result positively impact health and quality of life. As director of Essential Oil Resource Consultants, my main roles involve providing research, information and education in the field of essential oils. Botanica2012 is a natural progression of this work: bringing together wonderful and experienced practitioners and researchers to show how essential oils and plant extracts can and do make a difference in people’s lives. Botanica2012 is packed to the hilt with fabulous solid information about the reality of plant therapeutics and the role of clinical aromatherapy in health care settings. Come prepared to be informed, inspired, updated and motivated!
Another thing I love to do is make connections – this precious exchange between like-minded folk fosters progress and broadens horizons on both personal and professional levels. At botanica2012, you will be learning and sharing with peers as well as leaders in your field from different countries. As someone who has lived in different countries, I know how enriching multicultural exchanges can be. What’s more, this conference also brings together the herbal and aromatherapy communities to share experiences and recognise common ground. And all this is happening in one of the most welcoming countries in the world! The Irish are famous for their hospitality and we have ensured that botanica2012 has its fair share of Irish flair!
Irelandis a land of wonderful people and is steeped in herbal lore, tradition and magic. Its natural resources are rich and very precious. One of the underpinning principles of organising botanica2012 is the desire to promote Ireland and its heritage and source locally for as many aspects of the conference as possible. From graphic design, administration and website creation down to smaller items such conference packs and their contents, we are working with Irish suppliers and companies. Ever conscious of reducing our carbon footprint wherever feasible, we are minimising paper wastage by using the internet as the main means of administering and promoting the event and for provision of post-conference proceedings.
This conference has my very personal involvement – for me it is a way of giving thanks for the many students, colleagues and journal subscribers I have had the privilege of working with over the years and who are making an enormous difference to peoples’ lives in their respective countries and places of work.
Finally, botanica2012 is set to do what it says on the label: it is a celebration of plant therapeutics and clinical aromatherapy. I extend you my personal invitation to share in the fun!
Rhiannon Harris
