With great pleasure I welcome you to the 40th ARA Congress in Montreal, Canada. We are excited to be in the city of Montreal once again, as the Congress has been previously held here in 1990 and 2001. This year's Congress promises to be a highly rewarding experience on an intellectual and social level. Speakers are expected to present revolutionary ideas in technology, medicine, education, arts/culture, and other fields that mark our lives and shape our future. This Congress marks 40 years since the first ARA Congress was held in Berkeley, CA. The congress was originally designed to provide a forum where intellectuals of Romanian descent from all around the world and friends of Romania of all nationalities, meet to discuss recent contributions to art and science. Over the decades, the mission of the congress evolved into a forum where comprehensive overviews of innovative developments in major academic fields are presented. Since our last Congress, the Academy has been growing and moving forward, gaining international recognition. New collaborations with Romanian academies are signed each year as we continue to gain new members. As our membership grows, our ties with the academic communities are strengthened. In addition, the ARA Journal that's been inactive for 12 years will be resumed this upcoming October. I would like to express my gratitude to our dedicated and loyal members, and to those of you who attend the Congress each year. The success of the ARA Congress depends on our distinguished scholars and guests. Additionally, I would like to extend our sincere appreciations to our sponsors and local organizing committee, without whom our congress would not be possible. I look forward to seeing you in Montreal for the 40th ARA Congress, undoubtedly a special backdrop to our anniversary event. Ruxandra Vidu, President of the American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences