At the Opening Ceremony of Euroanaesthesia 2025, ESAIC introduced the Mellin-Olsen Declaration on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Developed by a dedicated working group of ESAIC members, this declaration is both a call to action and a long-overdue promise. It responds to a reality many in anaesthesiology know well: that despite the field’s clinical and scientific excellence, disparities in representation, access, and opportunity persist. The Declaration affirms that equity is not achieved by intention alone but through deliberate, sometimes uncomfortable, work.
At the heart of the Declaration lies a pressing concern: the underrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities in leadership, academia, and research. Women, despite equal qualifications and aspirations, continue to make up only 20–30% of first authors in anaesthesia journals and remain underrepresented in guideline authorship. The DEI Declaration directly addresses this imbalance, with concrete commitments to sex equity and broader geographical inclusion.
The Declaration bears the name of a woman whose advocacy laid the foundation for this work. Dr Jannicke Mellin-Olsen was a tireless champion for patient safety and social responsibility. Her role in shaping the Helsinki Declaration and her unwavering commitment to justice made her a guiding force in our field. Until her passing in 2025, she never stopped challenging exclusion and inequity. Naming this Declaration in her honour pays tribute to her legacy and signals the determination to carry her vision forward.
What sets the Mellin-Olsen Declaration apart is its clarity of purpose. It outlines a roadmap grounded in inclusive leadership, equitable access to education and research, accessible and welcoming events, authentic advocacy, and honest self-assessment. It reflects a willingness to challenge entrenched systems — and a recognition that inclusion must be central to how we define excellence in the future.
This is a profession built on safety. But safety alone is not enough. To truly serve our patients and support each other, it is important to root the work in justice. Care improves when healthcare providers reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Research gains strength when shaped by a broad spectrum of perspectives. And this field thrives when everyone, regardless of background, feels they belong.
ESAIC’s decision to formalise this Declaration comes at a time when DEI principles are increasingly questioned and, in some places, actively undermined. Choosing to stand firm in these values now is not only courageous, it is necessary. ESAIC has pledged to examine its internal structures, track its progress, partner across the profession, and ensure that this Declaration is not merely symbolic but a living commitment. One that calls for openness to discomfort and a willingness to confront the gaps that remain.
Source and Image Credit: Euroanaesthesia 2025
