Future of ISGE - An important message from the President
Dear ISGE Members,
Dear Friends,
My first thought today was to wish you a Happy 2010!
The year behind, ISGE activity has been very intense and suffered. The world economic crisis had engulfed even our field and impacted the ability to find the sponsorship, vital force for us to survive. This feeling of difficulty and uncertainty pushed us to explore some new territory, looking for partnerships or joint-venture with other Medical Societies, in order to make our influence stronger on the market and reduce the financial commitment.
Last spring, while pursuing this goal, we started to think about a partnership with the AAGL, American Society well-known all over the world for the engagement in Mini-invasive Surgery and inclined all along to an International action to overstep the American borders.
Thus we began a long way toward an agreement, in order to benefit the two societies unchanging their status. Unfortunately, after intensive discussions with the AAGL, the Executive Board of the ISGE has come to the conclusion that the proposed merger would result in too much loss of independence and is therefore unacceptable to the Society.
As President, and together with my Board, I sincerely thank the Board of the AAGL for their interest in joining us, but we believe that it is in the best interest of ISGE and its members to continue as a strong, vigorous and independent Society.
The often painful discussions have highlighted the depth of passion and support across the world for the ISGE and its philosophy. Regrettably, as usual, AAGL intentions along with ours have not been entirely understood in the world of Gynecologic Endoscopy, and false news about ISGE “survival” as an independent Society and its stability in the near future have been spread.
ISGE plans to build on this support and consolidate its position as the PREMIER international organization in Gynecologic Endoscopy. I have got a clear turn of mind on the future and how I intend to carry our Society to these levels. I hope you will support me in this purpose.
Affectionate regards
Stefano Bettocchi
President ISGE
