ESS Secretariat

Third Chair and Department of General & GI Surgery,
Medical College Jagiellonian University

35-37 Prądnicka Street
31-202 Kraków

tel. +48 12/ 633 19 95, +48 12/ 25 78 321 
fax +48 12/ 633 31 05

e-mail: info@essurg.org

European Society of Surgery: Aims and Goals

The core mission of the European Society of Surgery upon its establishment in 1997 was to build bridges between surgeons from the so-called "old Europe" and "new Europe" and to provide a platform for them to share knowledge and experiences, as well as develop relationships. Both the world and our field have changed since then and - given the current state of the discipline - our mission has been accomplished. It was possible thanks not only to our efforts, but also to the enlargement of the EU and the development of digital technology.

Now that the gap between the "old Europe" and "new Europe" countries has been bridged, we want to continue fostering relationships and facilitating the exchange of ideas and information for all those who would like to share their experiences and accomplishments.

So far, we have successfully organised 26 meetings, the participants of which could attend practical workshops and state-of-the-art lectures. Now, we want to use this experience to help a new generation of surgeons from all over Europe.

The Presidency of the E.S.S. and the Annual Congress.

At the first A.G.M. in Rome in 1997 it was decided to elect a President of the Society on a yearly basis. The incumbent President would be responsible to call and organise the Society's board meetings and the annual congress. Over the years the ESS has greatly benefited from the enthusiasm and energy of its active successive Presidents.

The Annual Congress traditionally takes place in the President's home town. These Annual Meetings have served the society well as they have provided a wide platform for the interchange of ideas and surgical knowledge and have fostered friendship between surgeons from all over Europe and beyond. The opportunity is taken to organise on site workshops which are very well attended. Leading guest European and American speakers are invited to deliver state-of-the-art lectures. An AGM is held during these meetings to discuss the Society's affairs and to elect Board members. To date the following Annual Meetings have been held: