The Mission of the International Goat Association (IGA) is stated as:

The IGA promotes goat research and development for the benefit of humankind, to alleviate poverty, to promote prosperity and to improve the quality of life.

An International Conference on Goats (ICG) is held at a different venue once every four years, under the auspices of the (IGA). This is a prestigious event, and it is an honour to be granted the opportunity to host this Conference. In return, the Board of the IGA requires the host organization to fulfil certain objectives and expectations.
All participants should strive to ensure that the planning of the ICG achieves excellence in scientific input, without neglecting the importance of being relevant to the promotion of sustainable goat development.

Some of the factors that should be considered are listed below, more or less in order of importance, according to the requirements of the Board of the IGA.

1. Competent People (a Team):
It is a daunting prospect to undertake the organization of an International Conference on Goats.
A Team of committed people who share the vision and will be capable of achieving the objectives of the ICG is the most important component ensuring success. These people are usually volunteers, who willingly carry out the many tasks in addition to their normal work.

2. Organizational Infrastructure and Adequacy:
Many aspects must be planned and shown to be adequate for the proposed programme and the expected number of delegates and accompanying persons.
These include:

The conference venue
Accommodation
Communication systems
Banking facilities
Tourist facilities (including visa applications)
Language competence (English; and translators?).

3. Costs:
Costs should be kept as low as possible to make it easier for people to attend, especially when they come from countries where the currency is not strong. This will include the cost of conference registration and accommodation at the venue. However, the cost of an airfare might also be very high if the delegate has to travel long distances.
The organizing committee should also consider the needs of people from the host country, who might not be able to afford the high registration fee, and yet would wish to participate in such a significant conference.

4. Budget:
A realistic budget for the ICG should be carefully planned, based on the proposed activities, and showing all expected costs and income. If possible, the budget should make provision to contribute towards the costs of the IGA. In addition, provision should be made to offer limited financial assistance for delegates who would not otherwise be able to attend the ICG.

5. Financial Support:
The organizing committee should ensure that they have significant financial support before they make a bid to host the ICG. This should not be just a vague promise of support, but a substantial and guaranteed commitment. This could be, for example, from a government department, such as the National Department of Agriculture. Other sponsorship will also be needed, but this could be obtained at a later stage.

6. Relevant Goat Research and Development:
The ICG should provide opportunities for the sharing of experiences related to scientific research and programmes, but it should not only consist of a conference. It should also include opportunities to visit relevant goat-related organizations and facilities in the host country, to demonstrate the context of goat production. These programmes might be part of the ICG programme, or they might be optional pre-conference or post-conference tours.

7. Geographical Diversity:
The opportunity of hosting an ICG should be given to countries in different parts of the world. This will be in line with the Mission of the IGA, and enhance its international impact.
Less-industrialized countries should possibly be favoured as venues, provided they have adequate facilities and a strong organizing committee.

Previous ICGs have been held in different countries and on different continents:

1st - London, UK, 1967
2nd - Tours, France, 1972
3rd - Tucson, USA, 1982
4th - Brasilia, Brazil, 1987
5th - New Delhi, India, 1992
6th - Beijing, China, 1996
7th - Tours, France, 2000
8th - Pretoria, South Africa, 2004
9th - Queretaro, Mexico, 2008

If a country is not successful in hosting an ICG, then it is still possible to host a Regional Conference in the years between the main ICGs.

Conclusion:
These principles should be put to the Board of the IGA for discussion, amendment and approval.

Special thanks to Ned Donkin for preparing this document for the IGA Board.