The 11th World Congress of the ISDE, under the leadership of János Kiss, Örs Péter Horvath, and Zsolt Tulassay, will be held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10-13, 2008. The abstract submission process will begin in 2007. We are anticipating a very exciting and informative meeting. For more information: www.convention.hu

www.isdecongress2008.com

Announcements

The changes to the ISDE consitution proposed by the Executive Committee were voted on during September and October, 2006. The changes received unanimous approval by those who voted. The changes include: elimination of the Board of Governors, with centralization of decision-making reponsibility in the Executive Committee; expansion of the Executive Committee to a total of 10 members to increase regional representation; and elimination of numerous committee structures that have proven impractical, given the size and needs of the ISDE membership. The newly approved version is available for viewing online. We anticipate that these changes will permit more efficient planning for the Biennial Congress to be held in Budapest, Hungary, in September 2008, and create a society that is more responsive to the needs of its membership.  

The next Biennial ISDE World Congress is scheduled for September 10-13, 2008, in Budapest, Hungary. The Program Committee and Local Arrangements Committee are meeting regularly to organize an informative meeting in a very historic and interesting city. Requests for abstracts will be sent out in 2007. www.convention.hu

Elections for ISDE officers and other representatives has been completed. During the recent Biennial Congress of the ISDE in Adelaide, South Australia, Dr. Peter Kahrilas of Chicago, IL, was installed as the new President. The new Vice President is Mark Ferguson, also of Chicago, IL. Lars Lundell of Stockholm, Sweden, was named a new Director to complete the Executive Committee.

Our journal, Diseases of the Esophagus, has experienced an almost 50% increase in its subscription rate. This is certainly owing to the quality of manuscripts submitted by esophagologists from around the world. The journal has recently increased the number of annual issues from 4 to 6. Access to selected articles in Diseases of the Esophagus is available. We offer the full text of a feature article from the most recent two issues of Diseases of the Esophagus as well as full text access to classic articles from past issues of our Journal.

President's Message