Dear ESGAR Members, 
I am proud to write you this letter to share the many things that have happened in our society during the past two years of my Presidency.

These years have, for all of us, been years of uncertainty. For some of us, who have lost their loved ones, years of grief and sadness. My thoughts and comfort remain with you.
For our society there were times in which the situation posed real challenges and it had been my continuous priority to safeguard ESGAR. The annual report describes the work that has been done in our society these past two years. It shows the achievements of all committees that have worked very hard regardless of the distance.

As you know our strategy for ESGAR has been to focus on activities following the four priorities: Multidisciplinary, Outreach, ESGAR Research and Young ESGAR.

Multidisciplinary: Abdominal radiology will continue to evolve. Radiologists will take a more clinical role, interacting with clinical partners and with patients. It is this skill combined with our technical skills that will add our value to the multidisciplinary team. Multidisciplinary collaboration is key to reach this goal. Hence ESGAR is working on formalising new relationships with clinical GI and Hepatobiliary societies: ESPR (European Society of Paediatric Radiology), ESP (European Society of Pathology), EPC (European Pancreatic Club), ESCP (European Society of Coloproctology), ESPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition), EDS (European Digestive Surgery), ESDO (European Society of Digestive Oncology) and ESGE (European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy). We’ve been able to strengthen our multidisciplinary activities and the great success of the joint society multidisciplinary courses is proof that we’re on the right track.

Outreach: We’ve looked at new ways of teaching and interacting with ESGAR members in countries far from Europe. ESGAR is now a society of 2681 members from over 86 countries. More than 600 of these are members from 46 countries outside Europe. One of our goals was to reach out to our members in countries far from Europe and and team up with the national societies in bringing education closer to our members who have difficulties travelling to Europe. The pandemic situation has helped us in that we could rapidly reach this goal which is shown by the high attendance of members from these countries in our online courses. Besides, improved social media and website activities have further grown ESGAR’s visibility and exposed its activities.

Research: Research is central in a scientific society, including in ESGAR. Without innovation, our subspecialty will not continue to evolve. Therefore, we’ve invested in research and grown our activities. An ESGAR research network is now established, research mentorship and research fellowship programmes kicked off and a continuous stream of new ESGAR guidelines developed and published, including multidisciplinary guidelines. Along the many projects a collaboration in research between ESGAR and ESR is foreseen and will be presented at ECR 2022.

Young ESGAR (YE): It has been my priority to engage our young members in activities that run in the society because the young generation will be the future of ESGAR and ESGAR’s leadership. The YE programme kicked off in 2020. The group has been extremely active and is rapidly growing with now over 50 YE members from 20 different countries. Besides its activities in the different ESGAR committees, the YE will represent ESGAR at ECR 2022 interacting with Young UEG, discussing their future. I’m very proud of this dynamic and active YE group and their motivation and enthusiasm inspire me.

Despite the distance we were able to hold the ESGAR annual meetings. Though we would have wished we could have given you an onsite meeting, both 2020 and 2021 virtual annual meetings were a great success. My sincere congratulations and a big thank you to the meeting Presidents and the ESGAR Office; Prof. Jaap Stoker, Meeting President of ESGAR 2020, Prof. Marc Zins, Meeting President of ESGAR 2021 and Chairman of 2020 and 2021 Programme Committees and the ESGAR Office under the leadership of Brigitte Lindlbauer. These meetings were without doubt the highlights of ESGAR during these two pandemic years.

Our next destiny is the ESGAR 2022 annual meeting in Lisbon, Portugal from May 31 – June 3 with Prof. Luís Curvo-Semedo as our Meeting President and Prof. Jaap Stoker as Chairman of the PC. I’m convinced that it will be another successful scientific event and a special one where we will be able to meet again in person with our ESGAR friends and colleagues.

When I started to lead ESGAR, I could not have foreseen that our society would have to face such turbulent years. Yet, I feel honoured that I had the opportunity to lead ESGAR through a crisis. Because it is also this crisis that has shown me the strength of our society. ESGAR is a society that will not easily give up. ESGAR members across nations and continents have shown to stay loyal and united in support also in difficult times. It is this spirit that has helped me to guide ESGAR to come out of this crisis strong.

Special words to my predecessors, our distinguished ESGAR leaders; Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to ESGAR’s future. If I could have seen further into the future, it is only because I could stand upon your shoulders.

The crisis had a tremendous impact on the ESGAR Office. Yet no matter how difficult the circumstances, the society’s activities continued to be managed by the office in such a professional and excellent way. Brigitte, you and your team’s commitments to ESGAR are admirable. A big thank you to you and your team. Working together with you for our society has been inspirational and deepened my respect for you.

Finally, my colleagues and friends in the ESGAR Executive Committee: ‘Words are not enough to express my gratitude. The virus could not have prevented you and your committees from working hard and achieving the goals we set for our society. This could only happen because of your great leadership and commitment. During these years I’ve continuously felt your support. It has been the most wonderful ESGAR journey with you in the Executive Committee. Thank you for that and for your leadership!

It is my honour to hand over the ESGAR leadership to Prof. Andrea Laghi. I’m convinced that with Prof. Laghi as your new ESGAR President the Society will continue to grow in strength. I wish Andrea all the best. ESGAR members and fellows, I’ve really missed you these years. It has been more than a privilege to lead our society and to have your trust.

Thank you so much!
Yours sincerely,

Regina Beets-Tan,
Your President