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 18th to 21st of May 2023 in 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 from 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.

Great success of the first conference and excellent feedback from participants as well as from faculty members encouraged us to organize the 2nd ECYG which was initially planned for 2020, and for which we together with our partners (European Society of Neurogastroenterology &Motility, Spanish Gastroenterological Association, Bulgarian Society of Gastroenterology, Slovakian Society of Gastroenterology and Slovakian Society of Hepatology) won the UEG Activity Grant for Live Educational Events. Sadly, due to outstanding COVID-19 circumstances we had to postpone our plans, but ECYG is reviving now in 2023.

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. Sessions will be held on GI endoscopy including AI in endoscopy, hepatology and liver transplantation, inflammatory bowel disease and gut microbiota, functional GI disorders, clinical nutrition, oncology, and on education goals for young gastroenterologists. 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 a fruitful future international collaboration, long-lasting relationships and friendship among colleagues from all over Europe and worldwide. Our hope is after ECYG 2023 to pass the conference to young colleagues from other European countries in the upcoming years, therefore establishing ECYG as high-quality pan-European meeting for 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.