History of World Congress of Gastroenterology
The World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) is held every four years event under the auspices of the World Organisation of Gastroenterolgy (OMGE). Since its inaugural conference in 1958 in Washington, D.C., WCOG has become the leading quadrennial gathering of the world's digestive disease physicians. The previous World Congresses have been held in 1962, Munich, Germany; 1966, Tokyo, Japan; 1970, Copenhagen, Denmark; 1974, Mexico City, Mexico; 1978, Madrid, Spain; 1982, Stockholm, Sweden; 1986, Sao Palo, Brazil; 1990, Sydney, Australia; 1994, Los Angeles, USA; and 1998, Vienna, Austria.
Scientific Program
Representatives of the major societies that represent Gastroenterology,
Endoscopy, Liver Disease, and Surgery in the world plan the Congress.
The goal is to provide the most exciting, challenging and highest level
of academic activity possible with assistance for the attendance of the
Young Physicians from throughout the world. From its modest beginning
in 1958, the World Congresses now attract thousands of investigators and
clinicians from every part of the world.
This Congress is one of the largest and most prestigious gatherings of
gastroenterological, endoscopic, and alimentary tract surgical experts
in the world. The Scientific Program Committee has designed a truly international
Digestive Disease Week. The educational program is rich and diverse. The
challenges are to present what is known today, promote its use throughout
the world, and to identify and translate recent advances in fundamental
science to benefit the patient in the 21st century.
Most of the very successful program elements developed during earlier
Congresses are repeated. This includes the highly successful Young Clinicians
Program, and several clinical interactive sessions wherein the audience
participates in clinical decisions by means of computer keypads.
There are several working parties that focus on important and clinically
relevant topics in a series of meetings prior to the World Congresses
in order to develop a synthesis for the meeting in both oral and written
form. There are quadrennial reviews by international experts as well as
state-of-the art lectures. As in former Congresses, a large number of
abstracts of original work are presented in oral and poster form.
Satellite Meetings
The tradition of past Congresses continues with satellite meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity for industry and special interest groups to benefit from this world gathering. The industry-sponsored symposia occur during the Congress week and several are scheduked before the Congress opens. The Society of International G.I. Assistants (SIGNEA) is also conducting their educational meeting at the convention facility in conjunction with the Congress Week. The Congress receives unparalleled support from the pharmaceutical, endoscopic and surgical industry. This support makes the exhibition at the 2002 World Congress one of the largest medical expositions in the field. Bangkok's new state-of-the-art Convention Center provides a magnificent venue for industry displays.
Young Clinicians
Special attention has been given to involvement of the best young clinicians and investigators throughout the world. These are the future leaders. A major effort has been directed toward achieving sufficient funding so that these younger physicians can go to Bangkok to present their on going work, to meet with other young clinicians, and with the delegates.
Logistics
Experienced organizers have prepared the Opening Ceremonies. The event, followed by an extensive gathering of all participants and industry, begins early on Sunday evening February 24, 2002. There is no educational or social conflict so that friends, colleagues and members of the industry from throughout the world have an opportunity to meet at the very beginning of the congress week. The World Congress of Gastroenterology is pleased to gather in Bangkok to celebrate the splendor of the past and the expectations for the future.
