The new efforts will include the provision of 100 subsidised places at ECR 2017 for Latin American applicants. In addition, out of the 1000 sponsored places, one in ten will go to applicants from Latin America. They will also be provided economy class flights in addition to the usual benefits.
The ESR usually offers initiatives for European countries therefore moving its focus to this region and offering them new opportunities is of great importance to the ESR. The society's "invest in the Youth" programme offers radiologists, radiographers and medical physicists in training the chance to visit the ECR and benefit from the high quality scientific and educational programme free of charge, with hotel accommodation also fully paid for.
Another important initiative for Latin America will be the introduction of Spanish and Portuguese version of the society's newsletter ESR News. This is based on feedback on a survey that ESR conducted which revealed that participants would like regular updates on ESR news such as abstract submission, congress information, and eLearning. That is why ESR has introduced ESR News Edición Especial and Edição Especial which are now being sent out monthly to all Latin American members.
“Initiatives
like ‘Invest in the Youth’, our special editions of ESR News and the
Latin American Voice of EPOS™ sessions at ECR 2017 are very important in
order to involve our Latin American members and let them know that
although our name is the European Society of Radiology, we want all our
members from across the globe to feel included in our community. I
believe the effort is worth making in order to unify radiological
professionals and the radiological field worldwide and offer the same
opportunities for everyone,” said Prof. Katrine Riklund, Chairperson of
the ESR Board of Directors, from Umeå, Sweden.
Yet another initiative is the "ESR meets" programme at the ECR which invites three national
radiological societies to present the most recent scientific
developments in imaging in their countries. Since 2010, societies from
five Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and
Colombia) have taken part in the programme. It is expected that Peru will take part in ECR 2017 and will be represented by the Sociedad Peruana de Radiología.
The ESR has also made significant effort in educational activities. The European School of Radiology(ESOR) has organised 27 educational activities in Latin America since 2010 in collaboration with seven Latin American societies. It also offers Visiting Professorship Programmes and one ESOR Breast Imaging Fellowship in New York that is only available for radiologists from Latin America.
To further support and expand its activities and presence in Latin America, the ESR has opened an office in Bogotá. Also, the presence of ESR Board Members at congresses
in Latin America has increased.
Source: European Society of Radiology
Image Credit: European Society of Radiology
