Governing Council and Activities

Governing Council (1994 - 1998)
Acting–President & Secretary General:
Massimo Crespi
National Cancer Institute Regina Elena
Viale Regina Elena 29
00161 Roma, ITALY
Fax: 39-06-4457086

President-elect:
Glaciomar Machado
Av. Atlantica 3772/9 Andar
22070 Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Fax: 55-21-5214603

Past-President:
Takao Sakita
Taimei Bldg., 22, 3-chome, Kanda Ogawa-machi
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101, JAPAN
Fax: 81-3-32915568

Vice-Presidents:
J.R. Armengol-Mirò
Diagonal 608
0821 Barcelona, SPAIN
Fax: 34-93-4147277

Raimundo Llanio
Instituto de Gastroenterologia
Calle 25 =503 e/H e I Vedado
Ciudad-Habana, 10400 CUBA
Fax: 53-7-228382

Treasurer:
Alberto Montori
III Dept. of Surgery
University La Sapienza
00161 Roma, ITALY
Fax: 39-06-44702412

Councillors:
European-Zone:
Jean Escourrou
Service de Gastroenterologie
Hopital de Rangueil
Avenue Jean Poulhes 1
31054 Toulouse Cedex, FRANCE
Fax: 33-5-6132-2176

InterAmerican Zone:
Jorge Galarza
Cevis - Clinica San Lucas
Avenida Guardia Civil 385
San Borja - Lima 40, PERU
Fax: 51-14-756101

Melvin Schapiro
5311 Aldea Ave.
Encino, CA 91316, USA
Fax: 1-818-5016639

Asian-Pacific Zone:
A Gani-Thahir
Jl. Metro Alam V No. 2
Jakarta 12310, INDONESIA
Fax: 62-21-7502324

Teh-Hong Wang
National Taiwan University Hospital
Dept. of Internal Medicine
7, Chung-Shan South Road
Taipei 10016
Taiwan, REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Fax: 886-2-3710791

President of the InterAmerican Zone (SIED)
Melvin Schapiro

President of the European Zone (ESGE)
Friedrich Hagenmüller
A.K. Altona
Paul-Ehrlich Str. 1
D-22763 Hamburg, GERMANY
Fax: 49-40-88224902

President 9th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy
Alfred Gangl
Dept. of Medicine IV
Gastroenterology Unit - University of Vienna
Allgemeines Krankenhaus
Waehringer Gurtel 18-20
A-1090 Wien, AUSTRIA
Fax: 43-1-40400 4735

STANDING COMMITTEES

"AD HOC" COMMITTEES

LIST OF HONORARY AND PAST OFFICIAL

OMED General Assembly: October 10, 1998, Vienna Austria

OMED Governing Council Meeting II, Thrusday, September 10, 1998, Vienna, Austria

President’s Address Massimo Crespi (March 1997-1998)

President-elect’s Address Glaciomar Machado (1998-2002)

INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW PRESIDENT Vienna 1998

Secretary General’s Report Massimo Crespi (1994-1998)

Minutes of general assembly October 7, 1994, Los Angeles, U.S.A.

MINUTES OF Extraordinary General Assembly Washington, May 11, 1997

Treasurer’s Report (1990-1994)

REPORT OF THE WORLD CONGRESS IN LOS ANGELES IN 1994

Reports from the zone: Asian-Pacific Zone (APSDE) (1996-1998)

Reports from the zones: European Zone (ESGE) (1994-1998)MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ESGE International Congress Center, Berlin September 18th, 1995 - 06:00. p.m.

Reports from the zone: European zone: MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ESGE Paris, November 5th, 1996 - 06:00 p.m. 07:15 p.m.

Reports from the zone: European zone: Minutes of the General Assembly of the ESGE Oslo, June, 1994 - 05:00 p.m. 06:00 p.m.

Reports from the zone: European zone: Minutes of the extraordinary general assembly of the esge Los Angeles, October, 1994 - 12:00 a.m 02:00 p.m.

Reports from the zone: Interamerican Zone (SIED) (1994-1998)

OMED GENERAL ASSEMBLY: October 10, 1998, Vienna Austria.
Present:
- the Governing Council, with the exception of Drs. Galarza, Sakita, Thahir and Wang. Guest participant: Prof. M. Classen, President OMGE
- Representatives of the following Societies registered:
Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Estonia, Hong Kong -China, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA
The following points of the agenda were discussed:

1. Approval of New Societies:

• Africa has formed a new gastroenterological regional Society, the "Gastrointestinal Society of Africa and the Middle East". It was already accepted by OMGE. Dr. Antaki (Syria) declared that OMED is not forced to make the same arrangements as OMGE, of a comprehensive Society, which will then pose also problems related to the OMED Zones, and stated that Syria would prefer to remain, as it is, in the ESGE. Prof. Classen stated that ASNEMGE already acknowledged the new African Society and Dr. Sharahia (Jordan) commented that we have to look at the situation in a broader context and not only from a local or national perspective. In order to explore the situation related to this proposal and to ascertain the real consistency of Endoscopic associations or groups within Africa and the Middle East, Drs. Sharahia and Ben Khelifa (Tunisia) were delegated to inquire on the situation and advance proposals to the OMED Governing Council by April 1999.
  
• For China the situation is still not settled and we have to wait for further developments.
  Applications were received from Libya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Further information is needed in order to state their eligibility and the problem of the African Society has to be solved.
• The reports of the President and Secretary General, the Treasurer and the Chairmen of the Committees are extensively reported in the OMED quadrennial Bulletin No.6 which was distributed to all those attending the Assembly. For additional copies, address your request to the OMED Technical Secretariat in Roma, Italy. In the present minutes only specific additional remarks are included.

2. Report of the President and Secretary General: The late President Prof. R. Cheli was warmly commemorated once more by the Assembly and the Governing Council.
The President introduced to the Assembly the Bylaws decided by the Governing Council. They are as follows:

1. Since OMED is incorporated, as an International non-profit association (Society) under the Italian law, a Technical Secretariat and a Financial Office will be created in Rome, Italy, in order to ensure continuity and efficiency.
2. Role of the Technical Secretariat:

1. to respond to the Secretary-General
2. to act as requested by the President, Secretary-General, Treasurer and Governing Council
3. to gather news and information from the member Societies
4. to provide for the circulation of the Newsletter
5. to maintain and up-date the Web-page
6. to maintain and circulate the minutes of the General Assemblies and the Governing Council meetings under the responsibility of the Secretary-General
7. to get approval of the Secretary-General and/or the President for all the relevant outgoing correspondence.

3. Role of the Financial Office:

1. to respond to the Treasurer
2. to prepare and maintain all the financial records including periodic audits and to proceed to the authorized payments

4. Financial support for these offices will be provided by the Governing Council.
5. The Financial Office and Technical Secretariat budget must be authorized by the Treasurer and/or the President
6. The Editor of the Newsletter will have a seat on the Governing Council with no voting power
7. The OMED Committees will automatically include the chairperson of the corresponding Committee of each zone
8. All relevant correspondence from the office of the President must be copied to the President-elect.

3. Report of the Treasurer: consisted in what is published in the quadrennial OMED Bulletin No. 6.

4. Reports of the Chairmen of the Committees: the following chairmen of the committees reported on their activities and made additional comments or proposals:

• Education (J. Waye): among the possible future activities the following were listed:

1. the preparation of a practical and ethical code for live endoscopy courses
2. an educational initiative aimed at teaching endoscopy in interactive fashions through the Internet; this may be possible in conjunction also with the ASGE and in co-operation with the OMED Electronic Communications Committee.

• Research (EMM Quigley): the Working Party on Minimal Standards for disinfection may be considered a milestone and well be of great benefit, as a reference document for the member Societies. The final document has to be widely promoted also towards the endoscopy nurses. A survey among the Societies is underway, aiming at highlighting the differences in endoscopic settings and potentialities. The questionnaire was mailed to all the Societies but few already replied. All the Societies are requested to return the completed questionnaire which is also available on the OMED Web site or may be requested at the Technical Secretariat in Roma, Italy.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Prof. Montori reported on the great success of the joint OMED-SAGES-EAES Postgraduate Course held in Rome, June 1998, in conjunction with the 6^th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery and expressed his wishes for further similar initiatives.
• Ethics (J. Escourrou): the major accomplishment was the publication by OMED of the book "Medical ethics, gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy: changing concepts in a changing world". He plans to further update the book and was warmly congratulated by the Assembly for his work.
• Terminology and Data processing (Z. Maratka): a brief history of the Committee, started in 1978, was made. The great achievements are well known by everybody and further work is now ongoing for the Minimal Standard Terminology initiated by the ESGE. The MST is available, in its final version, on the OMED website.
• Professor Gangl was warmly congratulated by the Assembly for the perfect organisation of the 9^th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy and the Postgraduate Course. The gratitude of the Assembly was also expresses for his decision to make available to OMED the copyright of the videotapes of the Postgraduate: they are now available through the Technical Secretariat for 30 US Dollars plus mailing, both in PAL and NTSC format.

5. Election of the new officials: the list of the new officials for the term 1998-2002 proposed by the Governing Council was voted by the Assembly unanimously with few additions. The final approved list is a follows:
President: G. Machado (Brazil)
President elect: H. Niwa (Japan)
Vice Presidents: J.R. Armengol-Mirò (Spain), W.S.C. Chao (Hong Kong, China), M. Schapiro (USA)
Councillors: N. Chopita (Argentina), J. Escourrou (France), R. Fujita (Japan)
Secretary General: A. Abrao Neto (Brazil)
Treasurer: E. Bruno Martins (Brazil)
Technical Secretariat: in Rome, Italy, under the supervision of M. Crespi in conjunction with the Secretary General
Financial Office: in Rome, Italy, under the supervision of A. Montori in conjunction with the Treasurer
Education Committee Chairman: J. Waye (USA)
Members: Daldiyono (Indonesia), K. Yasuda (Japan), I. Maguilnik (Brazil), R.
Bailey (Canada), A. Nowak (Poland), J. Deviere (Belgium)
Research Committee:
Chairman: S. Chung (Hong Kong, China )
Members: KM Fock (Singapore), T. Nakamura (Japan), N. Marcon (Canada), J. Rainoldi (Argentina), T. Ponchon (France), T. Roesch (Germany)
Nominating Committee
Financial Committee
These 2 Committees are composed as established in the Statutes

Ad hoc Committees
Terminology and Data processing Committee:
Honorary Chairman: Z. Maratka (Czech Republic)
Chairman: M. Delvaux (France)
Members: L. Korman (USA), E. Segal (Argentina), M. Crespi (Italy), E. Fedorov (Russia), M. Fujino (Japan), K. Ogoshi (Japan)

Ethics Commitee:
Chairman: A. Kruse (Denmark)
Members: C. Francisconi (Brazil), N. Landoni (Argentina), J. Escourrou (France)

Electronic Communications Committee:
Chairman: J.R. Armengol-Mirò (Spain)
Secretary: A. Grassi (Italy)
Members: M. Delvaux (France), K. Ogoshi (Japan), JF Rey (France), V. Tejedo Grafia (Spain)

Information Committee:
Chairman: L. Simon (Hungary)
Members: A. Montori (Italy), I.B. Paes (Brazil), G. Villa-Gomez (Bolivia), J.Y. Perez (Philippines), K. Yamakawa (Japan)

Colorectal Cancer Screening
Chairman: P. Rozen (Israel)
Members: W. Atkin (UK), L. Bertario (Italy), R. Gnauck (Germany), F.
Hagenmuller (Germany) representing ESGE, G. Hoff (Norway), J.St. John
(Australia), M. Tada (Japan), D.K.Rex (USA), J.Waye (USA), S.J. Winawer
(USA) and M. Crespi (Italy) representing the Governing Council

Minimal Invasive Surgery:
Chairman: AL de Paula (Brazil),
Members: B. Poddubny (Russia), S. Suzuki (Japan), B. Salky (USA)

Standards of practice and guidelines:
Chairman: R. Kozarek (USA)
Members: J. Escourrou (France), T. Miwa (Japan), JF Rey (France)

Archives and history Committee:
Chairman: G. Nagy (Australia)
Members:Z. Maratka (Czech Republic), H. Niwa (Japan),H. Rubio (Argentina), F. Vilardell (Spain), A. Gangl (Austria), M. Job (Brazil)

OMED Newsletter:
Editor: A. Montori (Italy)
Co-Editor: M. Crespi (Italy)
Editorial Board: JR Armengol-Mirò (Spain), G. Machado (Brazil), E. Bruno Martins (Brazil), K. Yamakawa (Japan)
At this point Prof. Crespi introduced the new President, Prof. Glaciomar Machado and handed him the Presidential plate. Prof. Machado was also introduced by the President of the Brazilian Endoscopic Society Prof. Ganc.

6. Address from the new President: The text of his address to the Assembly is in the Bulletin No.6 (pag. 12-14)

The Acting President and Secretary General
Prof. Massimo Crespi

OMED Governing Council Meeting II Thrusday, September 10, 1998 Room # 104, Red Level, Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

MINUTES

1. Welcome

The President greeted those present to the first meeting of the new Governing Council and thanked them for the large attendance.

2. Report from the President

Prof. Machado highlighted the aims of OMED for the next four years. He emphasized the need for a permanent and realistic budget to ensure the ability of OMED to exist as an independent entity and to pursue its goals.

3. OMGE

Prof. Classen, representing OMGE, reinforced the importance of the joint work of both entities, OMED and OMGE. He informed that some committees of OMGE were not completed and was awaiting suggestions, even nominations, from OMED.

4. The Committees

Dr. Waye, Chairman of the Education Committee, started his report claiming for commitment as a need for indication of names to participate in his committee. Nominees should have available time to work towards set targets. Furthermore, they must attend to the scheduled meetings. The future activities of the Education Committee will be creation of a brochure for live courses with the close collaboration of other societies, standardization of endocopy teaching, and the use of OMED’s web site as basic material for education.

Dr. Chung, Chair of the Research Committee, commented upon the project on desinfection of endoscopy devices. Dr. Chung, however, mentioned that all research projects were threatened by a potential lack of funds. Dr. Machado suggested that he was to discuss with the other members of the research committtee in order to initiate his work.

Dr. Svoboda was invited and reported on the Barrett’s esophagus project coordinated by him.

Dr. Delvaux, Chair of the Terminology Committee, reported on his plans about minimal standard terminology and the use of the Diacom web site. This site is the same one used by the radiologists.

Continuing the agenda, Dr. Montori, the Past Treasurer, introduced the subject of OMED - OMGE relationship. He was particularly concerned about OMED’s budget. He emphasized that there were no rules in the statutes specifying to the percentage of the revenue from the World Congresses that should be directed to OMED. In reality, OMED’s budget is at the President of OMGE’s discretion. Dr. Montori suggested that both OMED and OMGE presidents should have discussions to solve this crucial problem as sooon as possible. Dr. Niwa strongly supported Dr. Montori’s suggestions. Dr. Montori will present OMED’s final financial status by October 31.

Dr. Crespi, Past President, mentioned that he was confident that OMED could rely upon Dr Classen and Dr. Geenen to help Dr. Machado to create rules for OMED’s regular budget. The urgency of this regulation was unamimously endorsed by all members present.

Dr. Schapiro, the Vice President, highlighted the importance of OMED Newsletter. Dr. Montori, the Editor, informed that the Newsletter is not included in OMED’s budget, being entirely sponsored by industry.

5. Next Meeting

The next Governing Council meeting will take place during the DDW in Orlando in May 1999. Details to follow.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.

Alexandre Abrão-Neto
Secreatry General

GOVERNING COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

President’s Address Massimo Crespi (March 1997-1998)
Four years of intense and passionating work, first as Secretary General and, in the last 18 months, also as President due to the sad loss of Professor Rodolfo Cheli, teached me a lot. One major lesson is that still it is possible to find persons, colleagues, full of enthusiasm and keen to invest in non profit activities part of their overloaded professional time: I have to thank very warmly these colleagues, because without their help and advice it would have been difficult to fulfill the many tasks accomplished during these four years.
A second point I wish to stress is the growing self-consciousness in several countries of the key role of endoscopy in medical practice and the emerging need to keep together those practicing "the tube" because of common problems in defining their identity and in adding dignity to their work. The Societies and/or Groups devoted to endoscopy did increase during these years and it becomes more and more important to help them with a regular dissemination of news. In this respect the OMED Newsletter and Website seem to be the winning option.
A lot more of work remains ahead of us. I am confident that the new OMED management and the planned enlargement of the scopes and functions of the Committees will be able to respond positively to these tasks. To the new President and Board my best and sincere wishes for a fruitful activity.

President-elect’s Address Glaciomar Machado (1998-2002)
It is an honor and a great challenge for me to become President of the World Society for Digestive Endoscopy (OMED). No doubt, it is an honor to represent, Digestive Endoscopy and the endoscopists at a worldwide level. However, it represents also a great deal of hard work to face the numerous challenges that will appear during my term as President.
In the past, when rigid endoscopes were used, there were only few endoscopy societies around the world. With the advent of fiber-optic instruments, gastrointestinal endoscopy became a very attractive specialty, because of its increasing role in clinical diagnosis and management. Consequently a considerable number of endoscopy societies were founded. It was agreed that these societies should be put together according to their geographic location. Therefore three zones were credited, respectively the Asian-Pacific zone, the European zone and the Inter-American zone. Next step should be to congregate them towards a central coordination. It took until the 70’s for the foundation of OMIED as the organization with the responsibility to oversee endoscopy, throughout the world. During this early stage, OMED was an amadoristic society, with no financial support and, therefore, with very few plans. Of course, it became necessary to have World Congresses of the specially. It was decided to have them in association with the already established World Congresses of Gastroenterology (WCOG). In this embryonic status, OMED was a "token" representative to the planning committee of the World Congresses. It was in the WCOG hold in Sao Paulo in 1986, then in Sydney in 1990 and finally, in Los Angeles in 1994 that it was given to OMED representatives the real possibilities to play a role in the organization of such congresses. A small portion of the registration fees and some extra-money from OMGE were given to OMED, though not sufficient to fulfill its aims.
Presently, OMED is experiencing a deep transformation. Thanks to the efforts of Massimo Crespi, Alberto Montori and Rodolfo Cheli has now established plans, such as educational programs for developing countries, videotape courses to be linked to either national congresses, meetings of’ endoscopy societies, hospitals or medical societies, and research projects.
For the next 4 years (1998-2002), during my term as President, my efforts will be focused in some priorities, such as:
1. To maintain OMED representing Digestive Endoscopy at a worldwide level by encourages and stimulating close cooperation and interchange between the Organization and it’s 3 Zones.
2. To maintain OMED as an independent organization.

Since the introduction and the development of therapeutic, as well as the constant advances in technology, endoscopy has gained a unique position amongst Clinical Gastroenterology, Surgery (general and colorectal), Pathology and Radiology. Therefore, endoscopy must interact and be, regarded as, integral of clinical problems solvin
Nowadays, it is not possible to treat Endoscopy as a secondary or adjunct to any specialty.

3. To encourage the adoption of OMED endoscopy training program as suggested at the Seminars on Education held at the Wordll Corngresses in Sao Paulo, Sydney and Los Angeles. Supervision of such programs will be responsibility of the education committees of each zone, according to their possibilities, under the coordination of OMED Education Committee. This would not interfere with the continuation of the educational program project for developing countries and with the videotape courses, already in course under Dr. Crespi.
4. To develop research activities, coordinated by OMED Research Committee.
5. To maintain and to stimulate standardization of Endoscopic Terminology under supervision of OMED Terminology Committee..
6. To maintain transmission of information by maintenance of the OMED Newsletter, the internet address and the web page.
7. To foster a close cooperation, with OMGE, scientifically, socially and economically.
OMED should have a permanent seat on the OMGE board with full voting privileges. On the other hand, OMGE should also have a permanent seat on the OMED board. It is necessary OMED to be recognized as a full partner in the organization of the World Congresses of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy by OMGE. It should be OMED’s responsibility to ensure a proper balance of endoscopic topics at those Congresses. In addition, OMED should receive proper financial support from the profits of the WCOG in order to carry out its activities in administration, education, research, terminology and the other activities mentioned above. This would include a need for committee meetings to be held at least twice a year (usualy during DDW and UEGW).
In summary, there is a great deal of work to be done. We need the support of endoscopists throughout the world to ensure that OMED is a reality.

INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW PRESIDENT Vienna 1998
Glaciomar Machado becomes the President of OMED during the VIII World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy in Vienna.
It is with great pleasure and honor that I introduce you to our new President of OMED, Professor Glaciomar Machado. All of us who know and love him have come to simple call him Glaciomar as he is truly the representative of all of us.
Dr. Machado graduated in Medicine from the "Faculdade Nacional de Medicina da Universidade do Brasil" in 1966, and now, as Professor of Gastroenterology, has ascended to the position of Chief of the Gastroenterology section of that University in Rio de Janeiro.
Glaciomar’s background reflects a broad international training in Endoscopy and Gastroenterology. He served a fellowship under Dr. John Fordtran in the USA, studied Early Gastric Cancer Detection in Japan with the support of the Japanese government, completed a Ph.D. degree at the University of Bristol in England, and participated in academic programs throughout the world.
Glaciomar is one of the pioneers of modern diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. He was among the first to recognize the potential of, and utilize fiber optic endoscopes. He introduced ERCP to Latin America in 1973, EPT in 1975, and initiated the therapeutic endoscopic techniques of electrosurgical treatment of esophageal rings, and of choledocoduodenostomy.
Among his many contributions to the scientific literature, Glaciomar is the author of the only text book on Therapeutic Endoscopy in the Portuguese language. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish and has participated as faculty of major Congresses throughout the world. He has been part of the scientific programs for the World Congresses in Mexico City, Madrid, Stockholm, Sao Paulo, Sydney and has delivered the "Schindler Lecture" at the WCOG in Los Angeles.
Glaciomar’s appointments and responsibilities have given him the extensive background necessary to serve our Society well as its next President. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Medicine where he holds the chair no. 18, has served as President of the Rio de Janeiro Digestive Endoscopy Society, President of the Brazilian Society for Digestive Endoscopy, President of the Inter American Society for Digestive Endoscopy and Secretary-General for the WCOG in Sao Paulo in 1986. In OMED Glaciomar has served as Secretary-General, vice President of the American Zone, and Chairman of the Education Committee.
I have been privileged to know Glaciomar as a kind, considerate, thoughtful and conscientious leader. Our Society will grow and prosper under his direction.

Melvin Schapiro, M.D.
President S.I.E.D.

Secretary General’s Report Massimo Crespi (1994-1998)
It is difficult to summarize all the activities performed in my duty as Secretary General of OMED, a position which has been for me a great honour to accept when voted at the General Assembly during the World Congress in Los Angeles.
A honour but also a great responsibility and, let me say frankly, sometimes it has also become a nightmare.
We first established OMED officially as an International non profit scientific association incorporated under the Italian law. This task took several months of legal discussions, amendments to the Statues, establishment of the financial structure and related bank accounts. The previous experience as Secretary General and then as President of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) was very helpful. But, crucial for the accomplishment of any task, was the strict collaboration, based on a real and frank friendship, with the OMED President, Professor Rodolfo Cheli and the Treasurer, Professor Alberto Montori. The three of us were able to build up a team work system which was a key element of success. Unfortunately, on March 1997, Professor Cheli passed away, leaving us in sorrow and regret.
During these four years of work OMED was present with a stand at all the major congresses. This gave the opportunity to display educational material, like the series of the 13 OMED videotapes and the Newsletter.
The OMED videotapes are a major achievement for training the endoscopists all over the world. More than 110 complete series were distributed in 30 countries. The tapes were the result of a joint action with the OMED Education Committee chaired by J. Waye from New York and thanks to the Australian Gastroenterological Institute and the Los Angeles World Congress Organizers, especially Dr. Melvin Schapiro. They made available to OMED the material from the Postgraduate Courses held in Sydney and Los Angels. A special grant by Olympus Optical Co., USA partially supported the reproduction.
The OMED Newsletter was edited regularly and the issue No.9 will be distributed in Vienna at the World Congress. To gather the articles from the major experts in Endoscopy worldwide was not an easy task. The regular publication was instrumental in giving credibility to the Newsletter and the result is that now, to get contributions, is much easier than before. As co-editor, together with Professor Alberto Montori, we have to thank all the colleagues who sent articles and information material and the Industry, which supported the publication in a spirit of friendly cooperation.
Another initiative which changed the mutual relationships in a very favorable way was the organization, at every major congress, of an OMED-Industry breakfast. This gave the opportunity to share views, discuss Industry support to the OMED initiatives and establish a relationship on institutional basis, not only as a personal one.
These close contacts made possible to organize the first OMED Live Endoscopy Postgraduate Course in Moscow, on April 1998. The attendance was large (more than 300 participants) and the response by the pupils absolutely passionate. We have to thank Olympus and Wilson-Cook for their support and the organizers, Professor B. Poddoubny and Dr. E. Fedorov for their outstanding organizational effort.
The Research Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. E. Quigley, aimed on two major initiatives: the support to the multicenter international Dysplasia-metaplasia study organized by Dr. A. Svoboda (see for details the Newsletter No.8) and the preparatory work for the OMED Working Party report on Minimal Standards for Disinfection which will be delivered in Vienna. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Education Committee, an inquiry among the member Societies is ongoing in order to better highlight the kind of support that the OMED central offices may give to the Societies.
The Ethics Committee, chaired by Professor J. Escourrou, acting in conjunction with the OMGE Ethics Committee, set up a series of initiatives. The one most visible and of great interest to all the gastroenterologists and endoscopists was realized by Professor Escourrou by editing a book on "Medical Ethics in Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy: changing concepts in a changing world". The chapters are contributed by renown experts: N Antaki (Syria), Ben Khelifa - A. Kilani (Tunisie), M.A. Latorzeff - J. Escourrou (France), J Campos (Colombia), F. Villardell (Spain), M.C. Milano (Argentina), J.H. Solhaug (Norway), B.H. Novis (Israel), C. Francesconi (Brazil), C. Stanciu (Romania).
Last but not least I have to mention the establishment of the OMED Website (www.uni.net/omed – E-mail: omed@uni.net). This initiative, accomplished more than two years ago, created a permanent link between the OMED Secretariat and the members Societies. Again I have to thank Dr. Antonio Grassi from my Institute, who takes care of the website with competence and dedication. The establishment of the OMED Committee for Electronic Communications, chaired by Professor J.R. Armengol-Mirò will further nourish the site with interesting scientific material.
The last major accomplishment was in the field of Endoscopic Terminology. A strict cooperation was created between the OMED Committee, chaired by Professor Z. Maratka, the inventor of the OMED Terminology, and the ESGE Committee for Minimal Standards in Digestive Endoscopy, chaired by myself. The Minimal Standard Terminology (MST) is now a reality, available also on the OMED website and further initiatives are in progress, also due to the total dedication of Dr. M. Delvaux from Toulouse (France), International Editor of the MST.
All this work and much more, which would be too tedious to detail, has enhanced the profile of OMED and I hope that the new management will follow with new ideas and fresh passion.

MINUTES OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY OCTOBER 7, 1994, LOS ANGELES, U.S.A.
List of Participants:
Members of the Governing Council (1990-1994)
J.R. Armengol-Miro, H.W.Boyce, Jr., R. Cheli, M. Classen, R. S. Lucero, G. Machado, Z. Maratka, R. Morgenstern, A. Montori, H. Niwa, T. Sakita, M. Schal)iro, J. St.John, J-l.. Sung, Gui(lo Villa-Gomez, V. Viranuvatti.

Delegates of Member Countries
Asian-Pacific zone: Australia (J. Toouli), Hong Kong (W.S. Chao, S. Chung), Indonesia (A. Aziz Rani, I. Ali), Japan (H. Fukutomi, T. Yamakawa), Korea (In Suh Park), New Zealand (G. Barbezat), Pakistan (S.S. Elasnain, M.S. Quraishy), Rep. of China (C.-Y. Wang, T-H. Wang), Singapore (C. Jun, F.K.Ming), Sri Lanka (Dayashiri Fernando), Thailand (N. Kladchareon)
European zone: Czech Republic (Petr Dite, Jan Kotrlik), Denmark (Ausel Kruse), Finland (P. Pimsering ), France (J.F. Key), Germany (C. Ell, F. Hagenmüller), Holland (K. Huibregtse), Hungary (Laszlo Ujszaszy), Israel (B. Novis, E. Melzer), Italy (M. Crespi, A. Tittobello), Lithuania (Egle Tumaleviciene), Norway (Ove K. Andersen), Poland (A. Nowak), Portugal (J.M. Carrillo Ribeiro), Russia (G. Grigorijeva, V. Zavadnov), Slovak Rep. (Stefan Safar, A. Vavrecka), Spain (Vincente Emilio), Sweden (II. Graffner), Turkey (Ali Ozden), U.K. (A.I. Morris), Yugoslavia (Mirao Bulajic)
InterAmencan zone: Brazil (Luiz Leite Luna, Cleber Vargas), Central America/Panama (D.P. Gutierrez, Gurdian), Colombia (P.E. Archila, J. Alvarado B.), Cuba (Raimundo Llanio, Julian Ruiz), Ecuador (Jimmy Morales), Paraguay (Raul B. Avila), Venezuela (Carlos Paradisi, Pascual Candia)
President: Takao Sakita (1990-1994), Japan
Moderator: Hirohumi Niwa, Secretary General (1990-1994), Japan

AGENDA

1. Opening Announcement
2. President’s Andress
3. Report of the Secretary General
4. Report of the Treasurer
5. Reports of the Standing Committee Chairmen
6. Nomination of new Officers and Standing Committee members for the term 1994-1998
7. Report of the 8th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy by the President - H.W. Boyce, Jr.
8. Report of the World Congresses of Gastroentorology in Los Angeles in 1994 by the President - M. Schapiro
9. The Host Nation for the 9th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy in 1998
10. Other business
11. Introduction of new officers for the term 1994-1998

MINUTES
1. Opening Announcement
    Prof. Niwa called the General Assembly to order.
Prof. Niwa introduced Prof. Schapiro, President of the World Congresses who was invited to attend as an observer. Prof. Niwa said it was a privilege for him to chair the meeting. Prof. Niwa expressed his appreciation to all of the members for their support extented to him during his term of office as Secretary General.Prof. Niwa congratulated Profs.Boyce, Sivak and Schapiro and all the members of the Organizing Committeee in Los Angeles on the great success of the World Congress.
The meeting proceeded according to the Agenda which had been presented in advance.
2. President’s Address: Prof. Takao Sakita
"As President of the World Organisation for Digestive Endoscopy, it is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you from all over the world to the General Assembly of OMED today.
To begin with, I would like to express my compliments as well as heartfelt appreciation to Prof.Schapiro, President of the World Congresses, and Prof.Boyce, President of the 8thWorld Congress of Digestive Endoscopy, Prof. Sivak, Secretary and the other Organizing Committee members on the wonderful arrangements they have done, which made the Congresses in Los Angeles very successful.
Regarding the matters discussed at the Governing Council, Prof.Niwa, Secretary General of OMED, will report you in detail later.I am happy to inform you that the Nominating Committee have nominated the new officers as well as the Standing Committee members for the 1994-1998 for your approval. It is indeed delightful that such finely qualified persons were nominated, and as current President, I firmly believe that you will be satisfied with this nomination.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your warm cooperation and your support which enabled me to achieve some result during my term of Presidency.I am afraid that you will come across some difficulties such as the financial problems due to the worldwide depression and communication problems caused by language barriers between member societies and OMED. I sincerely wish for the further development and future prosperity of the Organization.In conclusion I should say that the warm friendship extended by our colleagues in Los Angeles is indeed unforgettable.I would like to kindly ask Prof. Niwa to chair the meeting as moderator. During this meeting your frank opinions will be greatly appreciated".
3. Report of the Secretary General: Prof. H.Niwa
The main activities after the World Congress in Australia in 1990 have been detailed in Bulletin V. Some additonal matters which are not mentioned in the Bulletin V were reported.
A total of 2,000 copies of the Fifth Bulletin were printed and 5 copies for each of 66 affiliated societies or groups in OMED; 13 in the Asian-Pacific zone, 36 in the European zone and 17 in the InterAmerican zone, were mailed out.One thousand copies have been kept in stock at the Secretariat in Japan and 150 copies have been delivered to the World Congresses in Los Angeles.
The Japana Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society under the Presidency of Prof.T.Sakita, contributed greatly with the financial support to the production of Bulletin V.
The result of the Correspondence Meeting regarding a proposal by President Sakita to establish a new lecture in addition to the Schindler and Moutier Lectures at the World Congresses was reported. The lecture will be called the Tasaka Memorial Lecture or Tasaka Lecture which will honour the late First President of OMED Sadataka Tasaka, who was a founder of the International Society of Endoscopy, previous name of OMED. 15 voted yes and 2 gave no response out of 17. Consequently, the proposal was approved and the Tasaka Lecture will be included in the program of every OMED Congress starting from 9th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy in 1998. In this way, the 3 zones will be able to send at least one speaker to one of those lectures.
4. Report of the Treasurer
The Treasurer of OMED, Prof. T. Takemoto, was absent. On behalf of Prof. Takemoto, Prof. Niwa read the report: Right after the World Congress in Australia in 1990, Prof. Rubio informed us that SFr. 5,658 was transferred to the OMED account at the Union Bank of Switzerland, in Switzerland and SFr. 1,1547.35 were transferred to the OMED account in the Union Bank of Switzerland from the Congress in Australia, totaling its balance SFr. 1,7363.15, including interest as of June 30, 1994. The membership fees from 3 zones for 1991-1992 and the membership fees from the Asian-Pacific zone and the European zone for 1993-1994 were deposited in the yen account in the Bank of Tokyo. However, the 1993-1994 membership fees from the InterAmerican zone have been sent to Yamaguchi, address of Prof. Takemoto, OMED Treasurer. Prof. Niwa said he would check on this soon after returning to Tokyo.
During the term 1990-1994, most Secretariat expenses including postage, telephone/fax, stationery and manpower, and most printing costs for Bulletin V were paid by the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. Also, travelling expenses for the delegate of President and Secretary General who attended the meetings with OMGE during the DDW in USA in 1993 and 1994 were paid from the OMED account.
Normed Verlag GmbH kindly contributed DM 2,000 for the OMED activities, which was deposited in the yen account. See the attached figures.
5. Report of the Standing Committee Chairmen
The report of the Standing Committee Chairmen appeared in Bulletin V, pages 23-28. Additional matters were reported briefly.
Education by Prof. Machado:
Prof. Machado said that at the meeting of Education Committee on the previous day the guidelines for endoscopic training and education were discussed and that next Chairman for this committee will plan to establish special procedures for endoscopy training centers all over the world.
Information by prof. Montori:
Despite the fact that the communication between the members of our committee was not so good, the Information Committee has been very active during these last 3 years. The most important part was- creating the new OMED Newsletter to communicate with our members of this organisation. The first issue of the OMEDNewssletter published in 1992 at the Barcelona Congress, the 2nd in 1993 at Oslo and the 3rd one here in Los Angeles in 1994. The financial effort was very good. After consulting with the President, Secretary General and President-elect, we have decided to publish this new journal.Besides informing colleagues around the world of the prominent facts related to the activities of OMED, the intention was to start exchanging news, experiences and proposals and comments between the members of this organisation.
Research: Prof. Silverstein was absent. His proxy reported.
The proxy reported: from the start in 1990 he has tried to obtain some funds but has not been very successful. His question to the new Chairman was how is it possible to get money to come together to communicate and how to start larger research programs. All depend money. Therefore, mainly this Research Committee has been a sleeping committee during the last four years and that was best reflected by the fact that last Monday when we had a meeting of the committee only Jean Escourou, myself and Fred Silverstein were present there to discuss this matter. It is necessary for the coming four years that the new Chairman starts to protect the President of OMED and try to define the policy of this committee and also try to raise money and then try to decide about the subjects that should be studied by the Research Committtee.
Terminology by Prof. Maratka:
It has been a tradition for the Terminology Committee to report on the progress of the World Committee since the last Congress. I have written a detailed report in the Fifth Bulletin on page 25-28. I want to emphasize that the committee has been very active especially in publication and we have published the basic books on Terminology in 9 languages including Chinese and Japanese. We have diskettes, videos and now the next project which seems very hard is CD Rom which becomes a top project of next year.
I only take this opportunity also to call some difficulties which we have faced. In addition to the lack of financial support, another effected main difficulty is communicating within the Committee because the only opportunity we had to communicate was in a occasional meetings at international congresses. All other business was handled by correspondence of which expenses were covered by the Chairman with support by the publisher of Terminology books. The second disadvantage is the fact that the members of the Committee according to the Constitution are nominated by the 3 zones. This happened without any contact with the Chairman.It has happened that some of them had neither previous contact nor experience in the work of the Committee and could not contribute sufficiently to its functioning. I understand they represent the zone and I would like to regard them as guarantee of the really worldwide committee with the zone, but on the other hand, there are many other people who have been working very hard in terminology. I would especially like to mention the new SJ Committee on minimal standards of digestive endoscopy was much more important because it supports all pharmaceutical firms who have made a commitment several occasions and discuss endoscopy terminology.So we need to find a way to accept this committee as an OMED committee because it would be mostly unfortunate if we have two committees working separately. I would like to propose that I could be enlitled to adopt or to coop members of only committee as the committee within the OMED committee in order to make just one coop in which could proceed in a unified way. It is up to you to decide whether we can do this within the present Constitution or whether there should be some changes in the Constitution like just adding a sentence that maybe the charmain is entitled to coop… This is up you.
Dr. Boyce commented as follows: there is no other publication that improved the visibility of OMED such as the terminology paper and the work that has been done in the past mainly by our friend Prof. Maratka, Prof. Schapiro in the American region and Prof. Crespi in the European region that has gained more acceptance than this paper. Can you imagine how difficult it is to translate terminology into 9 different languages of the world including Chinese? I think it is really superb and that there will be CD Rom its almost unbelievable. I think even more important is that the two different approaches, European way of terminology and American way of terminology, have been harmonized to almost a minimum terminology. I think that is most important part of OMED's work.
6. Nomination for new Officers and the Standing Committee members for the term 1994-1998
Prof. Rubio was absent. Prof. Niwa read the list of nominees presentedby Prof. Rubio to seek approval of the General Assembly.
There was no objection on the slate and its proposal was unanimously accepted. See Attachment; the roll of the members of the Governing Council of OMED for the term 1994-1998.
7. Report of the 8th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy by the Congress President - Prof. H.W. Boyce, Jr.
"I will just like to make a few remarks about our experiences over the last 7 years in working toward the completion of the successful Congress.
First I would like to say it has been a pleasure in working with President Schapiro and all other members of the Planning Committee. They have all been extremely supportive with purposes and the goals of those of us who believe in the importance of endoscopy in the gastroenterology practice.
The registration for the week was very gratifying - over 7000 professionals registered, 12,000 total individual registered during the week. A large number of these had a great primary interest in endoscopic education. The week which began with the endoscopy course which enrolled over 500 registrants using unique techniques of TV and Video education was very productive. The program for the week was highlighted by the Schindler Lecture by Dr. Machado, the Moutier Lecture by Dr. Crespi as well as about 50 additional presentations primarily oriented towards endoscopy topics. I think this was well received and quite well attended. The program balance was excellent. One of the goals for the next Congress should be achieving the balance between endoscopy topics and topics of other areas of interest to our special guests. As endoscopists we strongly endorsed the program initiated by Dr. Schapiro with the young clinicians which will certainly be helpful if continued in the future.
Thank you all for being present for the excellent participation in the meetings. All of us look forward to the next World Congess in 1998."
Prof. Montori thanked Prof. Boyce, Prof. Schapiro and Prof. McGill for their hard work and said the programs were implicated, well balanced and really supurb.
8. Report of the World Congresses of Gastroenterology in Los Angeles in 1994 by the President - Prof. M. Schapiro
Prof. Schapiro pointed out a few things by way of being happy at the result of this World Congresses.
"We have attracted more than 13,000 people of which we were expecting the final numbers will shape down at something like more than 9,000 physicians registered and you can well imagine a large number of people came.
Our expenses which involved young clinicians and fellows, faculty and certain honourary advisers, etc. in the range of about 6,000 paid which equated to the amount of money that we had wanted to provide for the OMED and increased the contribution before we started all this to $5.00 per paid registrant. At least OMED will have some additional funds for the next 4 years of the World Congress which is more than it had at the previous term. As to the World Congress itself you have seen a stride that you have some innovated things.
The program by Dr. Douglas McGill related to endoscopy was so well received, for example, the young fellows going to an intensive endoscopic program in the special theatre. In the first World Congress held in Washington D.C. the organisers in their wisdom set up a certain format that has lasted for almost 40 years. Each of succeeding congresses has grown and contributed to those formats. We have tried to succeed in making certain suggested changes. One is to continue the young clinicians program. We have looked at the Opening Ceremony and tried to make some innovative changes. We have looked at the banquet to try to make innovative changes. We have looked up the way at the World Congress planning occurs in relationship to the 8th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy and the Congress of Gastroenterology. The whole thing came under one planning banner and the initial anxiety that endoscopy might take back seat in this environment was soon put away when we realized five members of this planning committee were all endoscopists.
For future years the idea to have one umbrella for planning is a good one.
It is very helpful and I think the conversations balance all the things that happened and working together is very good. I think what is needed is to assure a strong hard input from OMED into that planning stage. My overall experience and recommendation are coming from this wonderful, wonderful week that I have experienced and I believe all you have as well."
9. The Host Nation for the 9th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy in 1998
The venue of the World Congresses in 1998 was decided by the General Assembly of OMGE and the Governing Council of OMED to be in Vienna, Austria.
10. Other business
Prof. Rodolfo Cheli made a proposal that Prof. Sakita will be Honorary President. All present members agreed with applause.
Dr. James St. John (Australia) raised an issue of the Constitution change in relation to the fact that the Hong Kong Society of Gastroenterology (HKSGE) want to keep their membership of OMED even after the Hong Kong Society of Digestive Endoscopy became independent from the Hong Kong Society of Gastroenterology and was approved at the Governing Council of the Asian-Pacific Society for Digestive Endoscopy in as an recognized society representing Hong Kong.
Prof. Niwa explained its history why HKSGE had lost their membership of
OMED.
Prof. Machado said: as the past-Secretary General, this is a simple matter. If you have a gastroenterology society and no endoscopy, as soon as an endoscopy society, an official endoscopy society, is created in that country, then the endoscopy society belongs to OMED but on the other hand, as Dr. St.John said, for instance, in England there were previously two societies, the British Society for Gastroenterology and the British Society for Digestive Endoscopy. They decided to become together one society, but they have an endoscopy section. The representation in OMED should be a matter of internal decision between them. As soon as an endoscopy society is officially founded, this is the society representing its country.
Prof. Machado further said: the proposal was already made. The Asian-Pacific zone is the one that analysed the Hong Kong admission as we do in the InterAmerican zone. They asked us how we do this. I think the matter has already been solved concerning the Asian-Pacific zone and the Hong Kong Society of Digestive Endoscopy is already the representative. So we should only approve their decision.
After lengthy discussion, Prof. Niwa as President of the Asian-Pacific zone asked for the understanding of the members present at the General Assembly that the Hong Kong Society of Digestive Endoscopy was already approved in 1984 as a national member society of OMED representing Hong Kong.
Members present agreed with applause.
11. Introduction of new Officers for the term 1994-1998
Prof. Niwa introduced the new officers and they made brief speeches.
President: Rodolfo Cheli, Italy
President-elect: Glaciomar Machado, Brazil
Secretary General: Massimo Crespi, Italy
Treasurer: Alberto Montori, Italy
President Cheli: it is a great honour for me to be nominated today President of OMED, the most prestigious organisation of Digestive Endoscopy in the world. I am particularly honoured because my name follows a list of very distinguished gastroenterologists; Prof. Tasaka (Japan), Prof. Colcher (USA), Prof. Heinkel (Germany), Prof. Masuda (Japan), Prof. Sircus (UK), Prof. Rubio (Argentina) and Prof. Sakita (Japan). And now, I will present my presidential address, already published in OMED Bulletin V.
After decades of unregulated spread of digestive endoscopy, time has come to provide a sound organizational setting and clear guidelines for the practice of endoscopy in the frame-work of medical and surgical digestive diseases.
OMED faces great responsibilities as the World Organization representing endoscopic societies or groups in the different continents.
The following protocol represents the activities that we will undertake during my presidential term:
– fulfill the responsibilities of OMED for the planning and implementation of the World Congresses of Digestive Endoscopy, including, but not limited to the Post-graduate Endoscopy Courses
– establish and disseminate minimal standards on matters of terminology, computerized records, image processing, cleaning and disinfection of instruments and requirements for endoscopic units and paramedic personnel
– promote training and continued education based on guidelines, with emphasis on the young doctors in developing countries. This will include the development of fellowship programs with hands-on training and implementation of local teaching seminars based on live and/or video demonstrations, in order to facilitate the spread of endoscopy in clinical medicine
– develop and promote international research projects on topics which require the use of endoscopic techniques
– establish ethically and clinically sound indications for the use of endoscopy and for the quality control of endoscopic procedures and their cost-benefit
– provide support for endoscopy in the periodic congresses of the three Zones
– support the OMED Newsletter as an educational vehicle and permanent link among endoscopists throughout the world.
To achieve these aims it is necessary to develop closer relationships with other organizations. e g. OMGE. CICD, EFSES, and other surgical societies involved with digestive endoscopy. A structured relationship with industry is also necessary in order to pursue the many common interests and ensured financial support beyond that expected from the World Congresses and any other educational initiative.
Finally, a requirement of the draft of new Statutes arises in order to the new realities of digestive endoscopy organisation. Further proposals by member societies and individuals will be welcome. Concluding, it is my pleasure to thank Prof. Sakita and Prof. Niwa for the collaboration in the last four years. I wish good work to everyone!
Secretary General Crespi: thanked his nomination and asked the Assembly to empower the new Governing Council for a postal vote some minor amendments of the Statutes.
The members present approved his request unanimously.
President-elect Machado: thanked his nomination and promised todo his best when his term comes.
Treasurer Montori: thanked his nomination as Treasurer and he promised to try his best to collect money for the organisation.
The Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted

MINUTES OF Extraordinary General Assembly Washington, May11,1997

The Assembly was attended by a large number of colleagues representing the member Societies. A significant number of prominent endoscopists were also present: they were invited considering that no vote was foreseen and that the matters in discussion were considered of interest for all those practicing endoscopy.
At the opening the Secretary General gave the sad news of the death of the OMED President, Professor R. Cheli. The presents stood up in grief.
The actual situation of the OMED-OMGE relationships was introduced by the Secretary General, especially in relation with the organization of the next World Congress in Vienna, where OMED had no real input in the key decisions related to the scientific program of the Congress and Endoscopy Postgraduate. This is in overt contradiction with the Statues of OMED. It was also stressed how all the efforts were made by OMED, without success, in order to improve the relationships with OMGE Two documents highlighting "The crisis" and "The future" of OMED were presented by Dr. J. Waye, Chairman of the Education Committee. They were unanimously endorsed by the presents and their support will also be expressed by letter. The two documents are enclosed herewith.
Professor Classen pledged that all the efforts will be made by OMGE in the near future to finalize a "protocol of intents" regulating the OMGE-OMED relationships. He announced his resignation as Vice-President of OMED because of his increasing role in the OMGE and made the suggestion that, considering the vacancy due to the death of the President, the OMED Governing Council could consider to empower the Secretary General as "acting" President up to the General Assembly in Vienna in 1998.
Additional news for the omed member societies
– The Governing Council met after the Assembly and voted M. Crespi as "acting" President, JR Armengol-Mirò as Vice-President and J. Escourrou as Councillor for the European Zone.
– The OMED Newsletter was widely distributed in Washington and is also sent to the member Societies. The full text is also available on Internet: www.uni.net/omed. The next issue will be published by October 1997.
Any Society or Group wishing to send news about their activities may use E-mail: omed@uni.net or fax ( + 39.06.44 57 086 ).

Professor M. Crespi
Secretary General & Acting President

TREASURE'S REPORT (1990-1994)

OMED - account No. 620.260.08M
Union Bank of Switzerland
4502 Solothurn Amthausplatz 1
Switzerland
Fax: 41-65-201730

Tadayoshi Takemoto, Japan

REPORT OF THE WORLD CONGRESS IN LOS ANGELES IN 1994

The 8th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy
The 8th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy is a quadrennial international event conducted under the auspices of the organization Mondiale d’Endoscopie Digestive (OMED). The Congress provides a forum for the presentation and exchange of the most current scientific information available for the use of and role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases. The last World Congress, conducted in 1990 in Sydney, Australia, was a great academic and professional success. It is fully expected that the Los Angeles meeting will exceed those high standards.
These Congresses, with over 12,000 physician registrants anticipated, will be the largest and most prestigious gathering of alimentary tract experts in the world. An additional 1,000 gastrointestinal assistants and 6,000 accompanying persons are also expected to attend. The super programme will be augmented by the largest exhibition in the field of gastroenterology that has ever been assembled. The excellent modern convention centre has been expanded, and is within 1 mile from all the major downtown hotels.
The President of the 8th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy is H. Worth Boyce, Jr, MD. The endoscopic programme will be rich, full and diverse with quadrennial reviews by international experts, several symposia each day, as well as state-of-the-art lectures. The traditional ‘Montier’ (M. Crespi, Italy) and ‘Schindler’ (G. Machado, Brazil) Lectures will also be a highlight of the endoscopy programme. A new feature of the meeting will be so-called mini courses wherein topics will be developed longitudinally on each of the 5 days of the meeting. One of these courses will update the technical and practical aspects of the important and controversial areas of endoscopy. A variety of endoscopic presentations will be offered every day, in designated areas. The very popular endoscopic learning centre that is a part of the annual Digestive Diseases Week in the USA will be present at the World Congresses, and enlarged to include the important learning centre material that is part of the American Surgical Endoscopic (SAGES) annual meeting. This promises to provide the latest in video as visual experiences for endoscopic and laparoscopic learning.
The focus of the meeting will be primarily educational but, as in former Congresses, a large number of abstracts of original work will be presented in oral and poster form. In addition, video poster presentation sessions, relating to original endoscopic and laparoscopy work, will be scheduled on a daily basis.
Postgraduate courses are being designed for the beginning and the end of the week of meetings. On Sunday, 2 October, an in-depth Endoscopy course will be presented at the Convention Centre. Special emphasis will be directed towards new and advanced therapeutic techniques with the overall theme of ‘how to’ for endoscopy. Triple and split screen advanced video techniques will be used throughout the programme, with a maximum emphasis on learning the fine points directly from the experts. On Saturday, 8 October, a full-day postgraduate Laparoscopic Surgery course, again with video case presentations demonstrating the technical and practical aspects of laparoscopic surgery, will occur. The World Congresses are planning a much larger presence of digestive tract surgical activities than ever before. Special surgical satellite meetings are in the planning stage. The Society of International Gastrointestinal Assistants (SIGNEA) will also conduct its educational meeting at the convention facility in conjunction with the Congress week and expects the attendance to exceed 1000 gastrointestinal nursing personnel.

Important young clinicians’ programme in place for Los Angeles
Involvement of the best young clinicians and investigators throughout the world at the World Congress has been a special aim. Major effort has been gone into achieving sufficient funding so that younger physicians can go to Los Angeles to present their on-going work, and meet other young clinicians and the delegates. This exciting feature of the 1994 Congresses is the provision for at least 300 Attendance Scholarships to selected young physicians nominated by their local Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Associations.
Special programmes are planned for these recipients by the four Los Angeles Universities. They will begin on Sunday, 2 October, and conclude on Saturday, 8 October 1994, the day after the closing of the Congress. They will include gastrointestinal, surgical and hepatological educational programmes as well as ward rounds and visits to research laboratories and endoscopic units at the university teaching centres. These will enable young physicians from throughout the world to get special flavour of digestive tract medicine and surgery as it is being developed by clinicians, research and laboratory investigators. There will be daily direct contact between the local gastroenterologists and surgeons and the worldwide young physicians.

Endoscopy at the World Congress in Los Angeles
The 8th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy was held in Los Angeles, California, USA under the officies of the O.M.E.D. with H. Worth Boyce, Jr. as the President. This meeting was held in conjunction with the 10th World Congress of Gastroenterology, and the 5th World Congress of Colo-Proctology.
Exciting and innovative Post-graduate courses were held at the beginning and the end of the week of meetings. On Sunday, October 1st, an in-depth Video Endoscopy course was presented. Special emphasis was directed toward new and advanced therapeutic techniques. This course was sold out and likely served as a model for future postgraduate courses in endoscopy. The cases were videotaped and presented by an outstanding faculty using freeze frame, rewind, and "telestrator" technology, while the audience participated through responses via a computer touch-pad response system. A full day Laparoscopic Surgery course, again with video demonstrations of the technical and practical aspects of laparoscopic surgery, was held at the conclusion of the Congress week.
The Scientific program, included a full representation of endoscopic topics. The Moutier honorary lecture, delivered by Dr. Massimo Crespi of Rome, Italy on "Esophagogastric Cancer Across Borders" and the Schindler honorary lecture delivered by Dr. Glaciomar Machado of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on "Mastery of Technical Challenges for the Experienced Endoscopist" were well received.
The excellence of the academic program was complemented by the extensive high quality exhibitions provided by the industry. The instrument manufacturers displayed the latest in advanced endscopes, computer-generated endoscopic database systems, and accessories. One of the pharmaceutical companies provided an endoscopic theater with lunch time video procedures of advanced endoscopic techniques. The attendees had the opportunity of discussing the cases directly with the faculty that performed the video presentations.
The endoscopic learning center featured slide video materials from the ASGE learning center that is held at the American DDW. This was supplemented by Laparoscopic teaching materials from the SAGES annual meeting.
Finally the social environment of exciting Los Angeles, and the Congress social activities served to bring the physicians and their families together in an atmosphere of fellowship. Many new friends were made and old friendships renewed. The Young Clinicians developed an understanding of their chosen life’s work with the association of their contemporaries from around the world.
The succes of this World Congress makes us look forward to Vienna for World Congress of Gastroenterology 1998.

Melvin Schapiro, MD
President of the 10th World Congress of Gastroenterology

REPORTS FROM THE ZONE

Asian-Pacific Zone (APSDE) (1996-1998)
The 7th Asian-Pacific Congress of Digestive Endoscopy was held in Yokohama, Japan, at the Pacific Convention Plaza Yokohama from September 19 to 23,1996 under the auspices of the Asian-Pacific Society for Digestive Endoscopy with T. Sakita serving as President and H. Niwa as Vice-President. The Congress on this occasion was jointly held with the 10th AsianPacific Congress of Gastroenterology, the 38th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology and the 52nd Congress of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. The participants at the congresses totaled 8,712 including 7,692 from Japan and 1,020 from 51 other countries. Although the Congresses were held in the Asian-Pacific district, there were many participants firom Interamerican and European countries.
Programs included 1 Keynote Lecture, 9 Special Lectures, 9 Quadrennial Reviews, 13 Stateof -Art Lectures, 8 Joint Symposia, 1 Joint Panel Discussion, 8 Symposia, 1 Panel
Discussion, 6 Workshops, 4 Post-graduate Courses, and 807 oral presentations of Free paper.
In addition, the following programs were offered: 749 poster presentations , 58 video presentations, 14 luncheon meetings, 6 satellite symposia. Most programs were organized jointly by the 4 Congresses. Topics related exclusively to Endoscopy were as follows:
Special Lecture: The History and Prospects of Digestive Endoscopic Medicine in Japan by H. Niwa
Joint Symposia: GERD, gastric biopsy, gastritis, and Helicobacter pylori, peptic ulcer, diagosis of early gastric cancer
Symposia: Treatment of esophago-gastric varices, management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of early colon cancer, differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases, and endoscopic ultrasonography Workshop: Barrett’s esophagus, NSAID-induced gastrointestinal injury, etc. State-of-the-Art Lectures: Endoscopic recanalization of malignant esophageal obstruction, conscious sedation and monitoring, chromo-endoscopy, a prospective study on endoscopic treatment of early gastric cancer in Japan.
Besides these programs, Quadrennial Reviews and Post-Graduate Courses were included.
At the meeting of the Governing Council held during this Congress, the issue of affiliation of Taiwan and China was raised. In general, opinions were expressed welcoming both Societies. A serious political problem is that in case of Mainland China becoming a member country of APSDE, China will not condone Taiwan as a member country, unless Taiwan changes its name into the proposed one from China. As Taiwan has been a very important member country since the foundation of APSDE, this delicate and complicated issue is still pending.
The following two Societies were newly affiliated with APSDE:

Vietnam Gastroenterology Association as of September 21,1996 during the 7th Asian-Pacific Congress of Digestive Endoscopy
President: Nguyen Xuan Huyen
Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as of February 10, 1997
President: Khean-Lee Goh

The next 8th Asian-Pacific Congress of Digestive Endoscopy is scheduled to be held in Hong Kong in the year 2000.

Governing Council (1996 -2000)

European Zone (ESGE) (1994-1998)
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ESGE
International Congress Center, Berlin
September 18th, 1995 - 06:00. p.m.

Credential control
First of all the General Secretary and the Treasurer proceeded to control the credentials of the delegates of each National Society present:
– 23 delegates were approved
– 12 members of the Board of the Governing Council.
In total 35 members with right to vote.
Taking into account that the quorum is still existing the Assembly was called to order.

• The President opened the Meeting welcomed all the participants.
• The President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer referred an up-to-date on the initiatives, the realizations and the perspective of the ESGE.
• The financial report, made by Doctor Rey, Treasurer, was unanimously approved.
•  Doctor Nowak, submitted the activity of the Education Committee as following:

"The activity of the Education Committee was mostly concentrated on co-ordination, planning and organising of the Endoscopical Workshop with live demonstrations.
According to the resolution of the Board of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy all meetings organized in Europe under the sponsorship of the ESGE should be approved by the Education Committee and the Board.
Special attention was paid to planning and organization of the Workshop in Eastern and Central Europe. It resulted from an intention of transferring new technology and procedures to those countries. After previous meetings in Katowice, Budapest and Prague, this year such a meeting was very successfully organized in Miskolc.
From the discussion with representatives of Eastern European Endoscopic Societies, the Committee has found that there is a great enthusiasm and willingness to organize live endoscopical demonstrations in their countries.
In 1996 the Workshop will be organized in Bratislava, Slovakia (October 10-12, 1996).

• Doctor Simon reported on Miskolc Postgraduate Course and first of all he thanked all the experts who took part in the live demonstrations and in the scientific Programme of the Course.

The Meeting was a success from the organizational point of view and for the huge number of participants.

• Doctor Rey reported in detail the Programme of the ESGE Postgraduate Course of the 5th UEGW (Paris November 2-6, 1996):

November 2nd: Live demonstration
November 3rd: Management of endoscopic complications

• Doctor Rey also illustrated the endoscopic contents during the UEGW in Paris:

November 4th: Symposium No. 1
"Use and abuse of diagnostic endoscopy" (Chaired by A. Axon)
November 5th: Workshop 3
"Sedation adapted to endoscopy, a controversy" (Chaired by D. Fleischer)
November 6th: Session devoted to:
"Biliary diseases, endoscopic treatment" (Chaired by J.R. Armengol-Mirò) including a Lecture on "ERCP at the time of biliary laparoscopic surgery "(C. Liguory).

• Dr. Axon made a brief report on the Endoscopic Programme into the UEGW. He underlined the close cooperation with the local organizing committee. He suggested a Lecture on the State of Art of Endoscopic Ultrasound (G.Tytgat) and two Symposia: one on ERCP and one on Training Endoscopy. However he will report in detail the draft of the Programme in one of the next ESGE Board Meeting.
• Professor Gangl, from Vienna, President of the 9th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy, was invited by Professor Montori, Secretary General, to give more information about the Endoscopic Section of the Austrian Gastroenterology Society. He asked Profesor Gangl to report on the endoscopic contents of the 9th World Congress of Digestive Endoscopy (1998) in Vienna.

Professor Gangl discussed this matter and assures a close co-operation with the ESGE. He will organize the Postgraduate Course on Endoscopy together with the responsible of the OMED and the Scientific Programme will be discussed with an "ad hoc" Committee. Professor Gangl referred to the Assembly that he will work together with Professors Krejs and Classen in organizing the Congress.

• After some discussion on the various point on Agenda and taking into account that the Assembly accepted and applauded the initiatives of the ESGE, the Meeting closed at 07:15 p.m.

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ESGE
Paris, November 5th, 1996 - 06:00 p.m. 07:15 p.m.

Credential control
First of all the General Secretary and the Treasurer proceeded to control the credentials of the delegates of each National Society present:
– 30 delegates were approved
– 13 members of the Board of the Governing Council.
In total 43 members with right to vote.
Taking into account that the quorum is still existing the Assembly was called to order.
The President opened the Meeting and welcomed all the participants.
First of all the President at the end of his term, said that it has been a pleasure and an honour for him to contribute to strengthen the position of gastrointestinal endoscopy in the world of medicine and thanked the Board Colleagues, the Industries and all the friends for the support received in these two years.
At the end of his term as President, Doctor Armengol Mirò presented an up-to-date regarding the ESGE activities, the initiatives and the ongoing projects (see attached document n.1)
The President thanked Doctor Rey for his effort in organizing the ESGE Postgraduate Course and the very interesting ESGE Computer and Video Corner.
The PG was a great success for the scientific level, for the huge number of participants and for the perfect organization.
He thanked Doctor Rey also for his effort in realizing the site of the ESGE into Internet.
He wished Doctor Fritz Hagenmuller all the best for his presidential term.
Doctor Hagenmuller thanked the President and the Assembly.
The Secretary General, Doctor Alberto Montori, welcomed all the participants and thanked Doctor Armengol Mirò for his very good work made as President and stressed the fact that it was not only a pleasure but also very easy and productive to work with him as General Secretary and expressed his esteem and friendship to the President for his dedication to the ESGE.
He wished the best to the new President, Doctor Hagenmuller, taking into account the various important problems to be solved in the near future, knowing that he will face the new aims with enthusiasm and competence.
He announced that the Macedonian Society of Gastroentero-hepatology Society has been admitted at the ESGE; therefore at the moment 36 active Societies are part of the ESGE.
Doctor Rey thanked the President, the Secretary General and all the members present at the Assembly and he referred about the financial situation of the Society. The Assembly unanimously approved the financial report.
The President informed the Assembly that, the Advisory and Nominating Committees met in Barcelona on July 6th, 1996 in order to make a proposal, for the renewal of the ESGE Governing Board.
The discussion started considering the possibility of modifying the composition of the Governing Board; in fact the Committees would like to propose to the General Assembly that in principle there should be only one Representative per Country.
In fact this matter was already discussed during the Governing Board Meeting in Oslo (June 26th, 1994) and the members of the Committees were in favour of this taking into account the recommendation of M. Cremer, M.D., who wrote a letter proposing this modification.
The nomination of Z. Maratka, M.D., as an Honorary Member of the Society was also proposed, considering his important scientific contribution given to the Society during these last 25 years.
M. Cremer, Past President of the Society and outstanding personality in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy was also proposed as Honorary member of the Society.
After a careful analysis of different possible candidates the Committees proposed to nominate Councillors the following Colleagues: J. Deviere, M.D. (Belgium), J. Kotelik, M.D. (Czech Republic), M. Liberato, M.D., (Portugal), J. Rattan, M.D. (Israel), J.L. Vazquez-Iglesias, M.D. (Spain).
As far as J.L. Vazquez-Iglesias, M.D. is concerned, the Committees proposed his re-election (as Representative of Spain) because the future Past President, J.R. Armengol-Mirò will remain in the Board without voting power.
Relating to the new composition of the Governing Board considering the very important contribution given to the Society by the previous Officers, and to insure continuity to the Society, the Committees after a very accurate discussion, made, the following proposal, which was already discussed and unanimously accepted by the Governing Council during the last meeting held in Rome on September 29th, 1996.:
President Elect: A. Montori (Italy)
Vice Presidents: A Nowak (Poland) A. Axon (U.K.)
Secretary General: J.F. Rey (France)
Treasurer: A. Kruse (Denmark).
L. Simon was proposed to be nominated Responsible for Central and Eastern European Countries.
M. Classen was confirmed in the Board in his capacity as Editor-in-Chief of the Official Journal of the Society (Endoscopy). The Assembly applauded and unanimously approved the new Governing Board of the ESGE, as follows:

HONORARY MEMBERS:
R.Cheli, M. Cremer, M. Crespi, Z. Maratka, F. Vilardell
Responsible for Central and Eastern European Countries. L. Simon
Editor-in-Chief of the Official Journal of the Society (Endoscopy): M. Classen
Both the neo-elected Honorary Members, Doctors Cremer and Maratka, thanked the Assembly, the President, the Secretary General and all the Board Members for this prestigious nomination.
Doctor Hagenmüller thanked Doctor Armengol Mirò and all the members of the outgoing Board for the very good work made during these two years and he welcomed the new members of the Council, Doctors Deviere, Kotelik, Liberato and Rattan.
Doctor Hagenmüller confirmed to all the presents that he will do all his utmost in order to improve the ESGE activities during his term of President of the Society.
Doctor Montori was really touched for the nomination as President Elect of the Society and thanked everyone for their support, particularly the President, Doctor Armengol Mirò.
Doctor Rey was very grateful for his nomination as ESGE General Secretary and he ensured to do his utmost in this new capacity and told to the Assembly that he was really honoured to accept this new position and thanked the Assembly, all the Board, particularly the President, Doctor Armengol Mirò and the Secretary General, Doctor Montori.
He also joined the previous speakers in asserting the huge improvement obtained by the Society in these last 4 year.
Doctor Axon and Doctor Nowak also thanked the Assembly and the Board for their support and Doctor Nowak informed the Assembly about the ESGE Workshop in Bratislava (October 10-12, 1996), which was a success, and Doctor Axon made a brief report on the Endoscopy Program and on the ESGE PG Course in Birmingham 1997.
Doctor Kruse thanked everyone to be elected as Treasurer of the Society and stressed the hard work which was done during these last years by the Governing Board of the ESGE, emphasizing the policy, the strategy, the diplomacy and the productive work done by the President Doctor Armengol Mirò.
He also ensured the Assembly to do all his utmost as new Treasurer of the ESGE.
After some discussion on the various point on Agenda and taking into account that the Assembly accepted and applauded the initiatives of the ESGE and the new Governing Board, the Meeting closed at 07:15 p.m.

Alberto Montori, MD
General Secretary

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ESGE
Oslo, June, 1994 - 05:00 p.m. 06:00 p.m.

Credential control
First of all the General Secretary and the Treasurer proceeded to control the credentials of the delegates of each National Society presents:
– 13 delegates were approved
– 11 members of the Board of the Governing Council.
In total 24 members with right to vote.
Taking into account that the quorum is still existing the Assembly was called to order.

Report from the President
The President opened the Meeting welcome all the participants.
He thanked Dr. Colin Jones, who resigned as Vice President of the Society, for his outstanding contribute he gave to the European Society of Gastro-Intestinal Endoscopy.
The President thanked also the General Secretary and the Treasurer of the society for their contribute to the Society during the last 2 years.

Revision of the Statutes
It was explained that the Governing Council has decided to change the article 4 section 2 as far The President elect is concerned in order to harmonise the terms of the President and the President elect.
The majority of the Delegates voted in favour to change the statutes but in an other occasion; it was suggest to call an extraorfdinary assembly in the next future (Los Angeles, October 1994).

Election of the 5 Councillors
The election of the 5 Councillors has the following results:

The General Secretary announced that the President has finisched his term.
The President Elect, Dr.Armengol-Mirò took his new office, thanked the previous President and all the members of the Board greeted the Assembly and decided to convene an extraordinary Assembly in Los Angeles during the World Congress of Gastroenterology.
The General Assembly closed at 06:15 p.m.

MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ESGE
LOS ANGELES, OCTOBER,  1994 - 12:00 a.m 02:00 p.m.

Credential control
First of all the General Secretary and the Treasurer proceeded to control the credentials of the delegates of each National Sociey presents:
– 16 delegates were approved;
– 11 members of the Board of the Governig Council.
In total: members with the right to vote: 27.
Taking into account that the quorum is still existing the Assembly was called to order.

Report from the President
The President greeted the Assembly and explained the reasons to change the Statutes.

Revision of the Statutes of the Society
The Statutes was changed as far ad the following Article is concerned:

Article IV Section I
The Officers of the Society shall consist of the President, the President-Elect, the past-President, 2 Vice-Presidents, a Secretary General, a Treasurer and five Councillors.The Editor-in-Chief of the official journal and 2 delegates representing the ESGE in the co-ordinating council of the UEGF are also officers.Together they shall constitute the Governing Board of the Society.

The Editor-in-Chief of the Official Journal shall not ahve voting power.

Article IV Section II
The Officers shall serve for a period of 4 years, except for the President, the Past-President, the President-Elect and the Councillors, who shall serve for a pariod of 2 years each.
The past-President shall not have voting power… etc.

Election of the President-Elect
Doctor F.Hagenmüller was unanimously elected President for the term 1996-1998. The President, the General Secretary, the other memebers of the Governing Council Board and Professor Classen congratulated Dr. Hagenmüller wishing him every success.

Election of 1 Councillor
The General Secretary explained that after the election of Dr. Hagenmüller as President-Elect for the term 1994-1996 there is a vacancy in the Board and he proposed to replace him with the first no-elected Councillor, as resulted form the election held during the Oslo Assembly (June 27, 1994). The Assembly unanimously approved the proposal of the General Secretary and Doctor A.Axon was nominated Councillor of the Governing Board for the term 1994-1996.
The Assembly approved unanimously the admission of the Russian Association of Endoscopy and Mininvasive Surgery in the ESGE.
The President announced that the 10th Meeting of the Governing Council Board will be held in Bruxelles on October 23rd, 1994 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel.
The General Assembly closed at 02:00 p.m.

Governing Council ESGE (1996-2000)

Interamerican Zone (SIED) (1994-1998)
Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Governing Board of SIED with Representatives of the ASGE, of the Organizing Committee for the Pan American Congresses of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy in Vancouver 1999 and Representatives of Olympus, Wilson-Cook and Pentax, March 21, 1998

Place: Lake Buena Vista Palace Resort Hotel, Orlando, Florida, USA. Present: Dr. M. Schapiro, Dr. J. Bond, Dr. C. Robles Jara, Dr. R. Morgenstern, Dr. E. Segal, Dr. G. Villa-Gomez, Dr. G. Machado, N. Chopita, Dr. J. Rainoldi, Dr. R. Kozarek, Dr. J. Nord, Dr. J. Frakes, Dr. E. Quigley, Dr. N. Marcon, Dr. J. Bailey, Dr. B. Frank, Mrs M. Dreyer (Wilson-Cook), Mr. E. Knisley (Olympus), Mr. F. Hatae (Pentax), Mrs. A. M. Connolly-Garcia (Pentax).
1) Dr. Melvin Schapiro opened the meeting and thanked the participants for their participation remarking on the importance of this meeting.
2) The ASGE made a proposal to run a special course in conjunction with Gastro 99. This will be coordinated for topic and faculty with the Gastro 99 organizers and SIED through the ASGE Course Chair. Regarding the Vancouver Gastro 99 course. Dr. Bailey proposed advances in endoscopic technology and techniques. Dr. Kozarek asks for something new to satisfy the participants. The live program is already on its way. It is also very probable to have participants from Europe and Asia.
3) Dr. John Bond was thanked for his note published in the ASGE Bulletin. It is necessary to publicize all activities of SIED. Arrangements for publications of activities are going forward for the OMED News Letter, the AIGE Bulletin, and other publications through the activities of the SIED Information Committee. In addition, the SIED will prepare a Home Page for the Internet.
4) G. Machado, the President-elect of OMED suggested that the purposes, goals and activities of SIED be made known. The Zones of OMED should work more closely together and interact with the Vice-Presidents. All endoscopy societies should be informed and OMED will assist.
5) A discussion ensued regarding the budget for the Gastro 99 SIED course. This was submitted, along with proposed faculty names to the representatives of Gastro 99. It was suggested to set the registration fee at $80. The SIED P. G. Course will be multi-media video presentations of endoscopic cases in the format of the Program that the participates reviewed during the time of the Orlando meeting. It was reviewed that SIED should receive 50% of the registration fee + $5000.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding the role of industry in funding for the endoscopic activities at Gastro 99. Dr. Schapiro suggested that only the organizers of Gastro 99 are to discuss with industry and solicit support. Representatives of the Societies may act in a supportive role. All budgetary arrangements, costs and disbursements are to be under the auspices of Gastro 99. The industry representatives were pleased with this format.
6) The Treasurer of SIED, Dr. E. Segal gave his report. There is very little money in the treasurery for the important activities of SIED. Unfortunately, the income from the Santo Domingo Congress was well below expectations. In addition, each Zone is required to pay to oMED $1000. Dr. Schapiro will address this issue with the new OMED administration in 1999. Olympus and Wilson Cook have been assisting with some support for SIED.
7) The Committee chairman of the Research, Education, Information, and Terminology Committees all gave reports. Each Committee has an active agenda. A budget will be submitted from each Committee chair and as many as will attend, the committee members will meet at the next DDW in New Orleans.
Dr. J. Rainoldi from the Research Committee indicated that his Committee has done a survey of 58 endoscopy centers in South America to review training and equipment. Further use of this information was discussed. The results of the last survey done by the Research Committee will be published. There are other surveys that are not yet completed. Dr. M. Schapiro said that it is important to run at least one prospective and complete project, and for this financial support will be needed. Dr. John Bond indicated that it would be important to identify researchers in each country for a better organization. Dr. Rainoldi indicated that there are requisites for centers capable for running research. He proposed two projects, 1) equipment and accessories for endoscopy and 2) Sedation. It will be necessary to have a budget for two years.
Education Committee (Dr. G. Machado) indicated the need to identify Centers capable to train endoscopists from basic and advanced endoscopy in South America and centers of excellence in North America. Secondly a list should be made that includes all the endoscopy centers and the key persons to contact through SIED. The list should clearly indicate Centers for basic and advanced endoscopy and centers of excellence to train in special techniques. The proposal for the creation of centers for endoscopy practice and training, should stimulate the exchange of endosco