Welcome

Welcome Dear Colleague, On behalf of the EAU Scientific Congress Office, it is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to Milan for the 23rd Annual Congress of our Association. The members of this office have taken considerable care in preparing a balanced scientific programme, with plenary and sub-plenary sessions covering all important topics and controversies in urological practice, delivered by international experts. We have had excellent contributions from urologists around the world, with a record of 3,440 abstracts submitted, of which approximately 32% were selected for presentation at moderated poster, oral or video sessions. The selection followed thorough and anonymous peer-review by a team of independent experts, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of them for the time and care they have taken in evaluating the work submitted. Their names are listed in your abstract book. We have prepared 62 poster, 14 oral and 8 video sessions. The brief state-of-the-art presentation, and closing summary by the chairs at selected sessions continues, and we are are grateful to all the chairs for their additional commitments to render the meeting as educational and exciting as possible, through their expert knowledge added to the quality of the abstracts presented. As usual, the plenary sessions will include a number of debates covering the most controversial areas of urological practice, state-of-the-art lectures by world authorities, ‘how I do it’ seminars from recognised international experts on specific procedures, as well as clinico-pathological conferences. We have reduced to a minimum overlapping sessions, and designed thematic plenary days to avoid any conflict for delegates and optimise the delivery of educational contents. The authors of three of the best original abstracts have also been invited to give an extended presentation of their paper during the final plenary session. We will end our scientific programme with an extended ‘Souvenir’ session given by members of the EAU Scientific Congress Office, in good time for you to enjoy the rest of your weekend in Milan. Whatever your background, your country of practice, your status and your special interest, you will find something new to hear and to learn during the congress, and you will also have the opportunity to contribute with open discussions and audience participation. We know that delegate attendance increases every year, and believe that this is a testimony to the quality and contents of the meeting, as well as its organisation and international dimension. I would like to thank the many people who contributed to the organisation of this scientific programme, including the members of the EAU Scientific Congress Office for their hard work, the EAU Executive for their support, and the wonderful assistance of all the staff at the EAU Central Office in Arnhem, the Netherlands, who show exemplary patience, calm and efficiency when dealing with busy members of our profession - not an easy task at the best of times; namely Jacqueline Roelofswaard, Patricia de Bont, Silvia de Bruin, Pim Pronk, and Jan Snelders, Susan Heeren and Marije Koops. I would like in particular to emphasise their major effort in designing and facilitating all IT aspects of the meeting, including the user-friendly electronic submission and review system. The increasing success and popularity of our congress is largely driven by their efficiency, enthusiasm and dedication. We look forward to seeing you in Milan next spring, for what promises to be one of the most exciting EAU Congresses to come. With my very best wishes Yours sincerely, Freddie C. Hamdy Chairman, EAU Scientific Congress Office

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