International Society on Optics Within Life Sciences (OWLS)

Improvement in the living conditions of man and the protection of nature is a global challenge. Scientific and technological progress yields new opportunities and achievements, but can also result in adverse consequences for the environment when used without social responsibility. Technological developments in optics provide a powerful means for solving problems in medical, biological, environmental, and cultural heritage areas. The application of these new methods requires the collaboration of scientists and engineers in optics and specialists in medicine, biology, environmental sciences, and cultural heritage. A wide range of interactions between universities, research institutes and industry is necessary. To serve this unique need, the International Society on Optics Within Life Sciences (OWLS) was founded on August 13, 1990, as a non-profit organization based on individual membership. At present, there are members from 36 countries. Based on this international consortium, the society can offer access to this community of specialists to societies, associations, study groups, international and national bodies, or companies which are interested in this field. Legal bodies are the Board of Directors, the Regional Council, and the Member Assembly. The following Standing Committees were established to support and advise the Board of Directors:

Standing Committee on Bylaws and Regulatory Statutes; Standing Committee on Finances; Standing Committee on Technology Transfer, Standardization and Technology Assessment; and Standing Committee on Education and Ethics.

The International Society on Optics Within Life Sciences (OWLS) was officially accredited by the United Nations as non-governmental organization to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the so-called "Earth Summit", which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 3-14, 1992, as well as to the follow up meetings in Berlin, Germany, Geneva, Switzerland, and Kyoto, Japan.