EAES Annual Report 2019

12 Word from the General Secretary Dear EAES members, dear colleagues, dear friends, It is with great pride that I address to you a few words describing the 2019 activities of the EAES board and in particular those linked to my duties as general secretary. The presidential change and the biannual elections, with renewal of the executive board members, are always scheduled in the odd years. Nevertheless, I can witness that all these processes happened smoothly, as the coincident, perspective visions of Eduardo Targarona, Jaap Bonjer and Andrea Pietrabissa gave continuity to the activities of the Society, in a friendly atmosphere. We have all been working together (presidents, daily and executive board, office) on the substantial renewal of the organisation, trying to keep the good (much) from the past but also pro- jecting the EAES to become a global scientific society. In my role, in close cooperation with our executive director Arjan Appel, I have been committed to get the EAES closer to national societies and their members. New rules for easing and fostering the national block membership system have been introduced, bringing more than half of our members to benefit from these opportunities – a successful choice. By frequently and tirelessly travelling in Europe and abroad, the presidents and the board members put an effort in creating formal and informal meeting opportunities, with members from different European and non-European countries. These activities have been much appreciated by single colleagues and by the national scientific societies, paving the road to new cooperations, recruitment of new members and, mainly, increasing the interest of many surgeons to be involved in our scientific and educational opportunities. Special attention has been given to some European multinational events and conferences, that have brought together surgeons living in different nations of the same area. EAES was represented as well in extra-European meetings, with a special attention to the far east countries, where our increasing membership is witnessing the interest and consideration of our policy in educational activities. In general, membership has increased in number (> 5 %) but, more important, we have many new young and enthusiastic members, from different countries and regions. Thanks to Arjan Appel, and the whole equip (Gisela, Muriël, Thérèse), the office workflow and the communication through media has become more and more frequent and efficient. We must pay a sincere tribute to these improvements, sometimes less visible, but fundamental for all members. An update of bylaws and procedural aspects is ongoing, and will be presented to members soon. We are committed to make activities, rules and decisions more and more transparent to bring the society closer to its members. EAES goes global, green, efficient: substantial changes happened in the last year, but there is still much to do to achieve these results. Let’s work together, let’s make EAES be bigger all together! Kind regards, Nicola Di Lorenzo , General secretary EAES Annual Report 2019