We are all facing the COVID-19 spread across the world and Europe, the infection which was declared pandemic by the WHO.

We share WHO’s ‘deep concerns both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction’. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general, says that ‘in the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb…’ and calls for more aggressive actions against COVID-19.

ECYG organising committee raises concerns for the safety of our speakers and attendees of the second ECYG that was to be held in Dubrovnik, May 8-10^th, 2020.

After summarising current status of COVID-19, future predictions and more importantly recommendations and limitations across European countries, including our country as the host of ECYG, we share with you the fact that it is impossible to continue with the organisation of ECYG in May 2020.

Therefore, after consultation with our partner and supporting societies and institutions, ECYG organising committee decided to postpone ECYG 2020 for later in the year.

We are constantly working on defining the new dates of the conference and will publish them as early as possible. Of course, those that already registered remain registered for the new date.

On behalf of ECYG team and organising committee

Ivana Mikolasevic and Tomislav Bokun

Conference presidents

  Dear colleagues,

We are very happy to announce that the Second European Conference of Young Gastroenterologists – ‘Challenges in clinical gastroenterology and hepatology’ will be held in Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel, from 8 th to 10 th of May 2020, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The First European Conference of Young Gastroenterologists (ECYG) that took place in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, in December 2018 was a great success gathering more than 600 participants form 39 countries. It was organized by Croatian Society of Gastroenterology together with its Youth Section and was widely endorsed and/or supported by: European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESMN), European Association for Gastroenterology, Endoscopy and Nutrition (EAGEN), European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB), University of Zagreb and University of Rijeka, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka and Split, University of Rijeka Faculty of Health Studies, Croatian Medical Association, City of Zagreb, Croatian Parliament, President of the Republic of Croatia, as well as Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia.

The 2nd ECYG will follow the same learning format that was highly praised by the participants and faculty of the first conference. Case-based pair-talks between young gastroenterologist and senior expert delivering evidence-based guidance will provide relevant and practical knowledge and boost discussions after the talks. More extensive endoscopy and ultrasound hands-on workshops will be organized as previously the interest for the workshops exceeded the capabilities. The conference will also provide networking opportunities, facilitate exchange of experience and encourage discussions on specific problems and needs of young gastroenterologists. The expected, needless to say, is fruitful future international collaboration, long-lasting relationships and friendship among colleagues from all over Europe and worldwide.

In addition to wide support from institutions and organizations that supported the first conference, we proudly announce that Croatian Society of Gastroenterology together with its partners won, in a highly competitive bid, a prestigious UEG Activity Grant for Live Educational Events. The proposal was set together with European Society of Neurogastroenterology & Motility (ESNM), Spanish Gastroenterological Association, Bulgarian Society of Gastroenterology, Slovak Gastroenterology Society and Slovak Society of Hepatology, and the joint application resulted the awarded grant. This acknowledgement stimulates our endeavors to continue establishing ECYG as high-quality pan- European conference of young gastroenterologists. As the conference will take place in May all delegates will have the great opportunity to enjoy the unique beauties of the city of Dubrovnik.

Looking forward to seeing you in Dubrovnik!

Conference Co-president:
Asst. prof. Ivana Mikolasevic, MD, PhD

Conference Co-president:
Tomislav Bokun, MD, PhD

  PURPOSE

ECYG, European Conference of Young Gastroenterologist, is established to improve the knowledge and training of young gastroenterologists and to stimulate the awareness of young people about the need for teamwork, co-operation and education. The conference brings together gastroenterology residents and specialists of up to 40 years of age from all over Europe and wider, and also welcomes those residents and young doctors of other specialties who are dealing with digestive health.

   MISSION

To educate young gastroenterologists under the supervision of senior experts established in specific fields of gastroenterology. To connect young gastroenterologists and to enable them to initiate a constructive and productive dialogue and to create network for future collaboration with colleagues across Europe.

   VISION

To generate educated, skilled and productive young international GI teams that work together.

ECYG team: Ivana Mikolasevic, Tomislav Bokun, Sanja Stojsavljevic, Ana Ostojic, Petra Puz, Maja Mijic, Nadija Skenderevic, Ivan Jakopcic and Viktor Domislovic