World Symposium on IBD Research funded by IBD patients associations
Global alliance against IBD
On 18 October 2012, the European Federation of Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA) met in Brussels with worldwide patient associations for the first ever World Symposium on IBD research funded or promoted by IBD patients' associations.
The World Symposium aims to gather evidence and information from IBD patient associations that directly fund or promote research into the causes and treatment of IBD and will provide a unique platform for IBD associations from as far as Australia, Canada, the US, Brazil, Israel, New Zealand and Europe to share their knowledge and experience.
The scientific community was presented by well-known IBD medical specialists such as Professor Claudio Fiocchi, Professor Laurent Beaugerie, Professor Gerhard Rogler and Professor Silvio Danese.
"Research is the main pathway that leads to a better future for people with IBD. Through it we will be able to determine the causes of IBD and hopefully a cure. In a word, research means “HOPE” to us. I hope this Symposium will become the first step towards a stronger global alliance against IBD. " says Marco Greco, EFCCA chairperson.
The findings of the event will be published in the "White Book on IBD Research funded or promoted by IBD patient associations." with the aim to become a handbook and reference that IBD patient associations can use for getting new ideas in developing research-support strategies.
Document in progress: White Book on IBD Research
Presentations made during the Symposium:
Setting the scene, Professor Claudio Fiocchi
Country presentations:
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
France
Germany
IBD Research Foundation
Israel (to be made available soon)
Italy
New Zealand
Sweden
UK
USA (draft version, final version available soon)
Date of issue: 2012-10-18