American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

To be the leader in advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in endoscopy.

European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

The ESGE was officially established and received its name and statutes at the 7th A.S.N.E.M.G.E. (“Association des Societé Nationales Européennes et Mediterranénnes des Gastroentérologie “) Congress, Brussels in 1964. However, to acknowledge the actual development of the society one needs to take a brief historic glance at the formation of those societies and congresses from which the ESGE arose. In 1954 the world society of gastroenterology was founded as a replacement for S.I.G.E. (“Societé Internationale de Gastroentérologie”), which had been a society of individual members. Also at the Paris conference in 1954 it was decided to hold a world congress of Gatstroenterology in Washington in 1958. This congress turned out to be extremely well visited and successful, and though no specific papers on endoscopy were presented, there were presentations on gastric photography and the gastrocamera: the keen interest in endoscopic topics was evident. By the early 1960s endoscopy was playing an increasingly important role in meetings and as a result, at the A.S.N.E.M.G.E. Congress in Leiden in 1960 a symposium on varied endoscopy subjects took place, where a group of endoscopists got together and decided to establish a club that concentrated on promoting endoscopy. The “European Endoscopic Club” was founded by Adolf Wiebenga (Amsterdam), Edouard Jacobs (Brussels), Zdenek Maratka, Sacha Segal (Reims) and Sandu Stoichita (Bucarest). Only four years later, at the aforementioned congress in Brussels the members of the club convened with other interested endoscopists and together agreed to form the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). Charles Debray from France was the first president, joined on the governing board by three vice-presidents, a secretary, treasurer, editor and an honorary president. Since this time the ESGE has steadily grown stronger and increasingly more active. Numerous workshops, grant programmes, as well as the work of the guidelines committee, the education and research committees, and the major involvement in the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) succeed in fulfilling the first and foremost aim of the society: to promote good endoscopy.

American College of Gastroenterology

ACG currently has more than 13,750 physicians from 86 countries. Through annual scientific meetings, The American Journal of Gastroenterology, regional postgraduate training courses and research grants, the ACG provides its members with the most accurate and up-to-date scientific information on digestive health and the etiology, symptomatology and treatment of GI disorders. ACG’s advocacy in the public policy arenas, and the work of the ACG’s 22 committees have made tremendous strides with many premiere accomplishments to improve the future of clinical gastroenterology and the quality of care available to patients with GI conditions and diseases, today. The information exchange and training acquired through College membership provide physicians with the knowledge necessary to offer the most effective patient care and to meet the challenges of today’s changing health care system.

American Gastroenterological Society

The American Gastroenterological Association is founded in 1897, AGA has grown to include more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA administers all membership and public policy activities, while the AGA Institute runs the organization’s practice, research and educational programs. On a monthly basis, the AGA Institute publishes three highly respected journals, Gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The organization’s annual meeting is Digestive Disease Week®, which is held each May and is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. The AGA Research Foundation provides digestive disease research grants on behalf of the AGA Institute.

Asia Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE)

The Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) was founded in Tokyo on March 30th 1961. This organization is an affiliate of the Organization Mondiale de Gastro-Enterologie (OMGE). The APAGE was incorporated in the SAR of Hong Kong, China (hereinafter called Hong Kong) as a legal entity with limited liability and subject to the relevant laws of Hong Kong. The Treasury located also in Hong Kong will issue annual, audited accounts in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong.

Bangladesh Gastroenterology Society

The Bangladesh Gastroenterology Society has the following aims: 1) to provide an organization for the benefit and services to the patients suffering from various gastroenterological & hepatic problems, and associated conditions. 2) To educate public for the prevention and treatment of gastroenterological & hepatic diseases. 3) To organize and support research and studies on gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases. 4) To protect and advance the interests, rights and privileges of the gastroenterologists in Bangladesh. 5) To create and maintain a spirit of unity, co-operation, solidarity and fellow feeling among people interested in gastroenterology. 6) To maintain and uphold the dignity, honor and prestige of people engaged with gastroenterology in Bangladesh. 7) To promote education in gastroenterology in Bangladesh. 8) To assist, co-operate, affiliate and join in federation with national and international organization holding similar aims and objectives. 9) To print, publish and circulate any paper, periodicals, books and pamphlets that the society may think desirable for the promotion of its objective.

Chinese Society of Gastroenterology

Chinese Society of Gastroenterology (CSG) was officially established in December 1980 at the 1st National Congress of Internal Medicine in Guangzhou. Its periodical Chinese Journal of Digestion was founded in Shanghai in 1981.Chinese Journal of Digestion was published quarterly from 1981 – 1987, bimonthly from 1988 – 2000 and it has been appearing monthly since 2001.

Gastroenterological Association of Thailand

The Gastroenterological Association of Thailand was founded by Professor Vikit Viranuvatti on 19 July 1960. With the starting members of 34, the association has been grown up successfully and become one of the prestigious professional of Thailand and of the World. The association aims to: 1. Promote the advancement of the scientific knowledge in gastroenterology by providing the standard of care for patients, clinical translational research, training program, continuing medical education (CME) and annual meeting. 2. Promote and maintaining the highest ethical standards of medical practice. 3. Promote the social responsibility and health education related to gastroenterological and liver diseases for Thais.

Gastroenterological Society of Australia

The GESA association and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide a forum for those members of the society with a special interest in a particular area of gastroenterolgy to work with like-minded people in advancing and promoting high standards of training and practice. The associations and SIGs provide a bedrock of technical expertise and knowledge that underpins GESA’s activities in developing educational material, contributing to public health policy and working to improve professional standards.

Indian Society of Gastroenterology

The Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) had its inception in the year 1960, and is registered under Societies Act, XXI of 1860. It has over 2400 life members, holds a national conference and 2 mid-term conferences every year, and publishes the Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. The Indian Society of Gastroenterology is a member of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) and Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE).

Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology & Hepatology

New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology Inc.

The New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology was founded during a meeting of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians held in Auckland, 16–19 February 1966. Dr Alan Cameron was the Foundation President. The Society remains closely associated with the RACP. The Society’s members are physicians, surgeons and scientists who research, diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology & GI Endoscopy

The Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology & GI Endoscopy aims to bring doctors who are interested in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy together. It provides doctors with a platform to share and disseminate their knowledge on the latest developments in this field.

Philippine Society of Gastroenterology

The Philippine Society of Gastroenterology envisions itself as an organization of competent gastroenterologists, imbued with a high level of moral and ethical values, committed to the practice of the specialty in the Philippines and dedicated to the high standards of learning, training and cure of digestive disorders.

The Gastroenterological Society of Taiwan

The Gastroenterological Society of Taiwan was founded officially in Taipei on 15th March, 1970 by Professor Juei-Low Sung. Over the past 42 years, GEST has grown from a small group of practicing Gastroenterologists to a large organization with 1,664 members. The members are composed of practicing gastroenterologists and hepatologists, and researchers in basic gastroenterology and hepatology. Missions of GEST are to enhance the quality of patient care, to train young fellows, to promote researches in gastroenterology and hepatology related fields, and to develop friendship through regular convention and education programs. Mentoring, knowledge exchange and dedication to professional growth are among the core values of GEST and its members.

The Hong Kong Society of Gastroenterology

The Hong Kong Society of Gastroenterology was incorporated in 1981 by a group of doctors active in the field of Gastroenterology with the objectives to – To promote the advancement of Gastroenterology including continuous education of the medical profession on Gastroenterology. – To promote friendship amongst those who have an active interest in Gastroenterology. – To stimulate public interest and provide public education in the prevention and treatment of Gastroenterological diseases.

The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology

The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology is an academic society engaged in the promotion of basic research and clinical studies on the digestive organs and their diseases. It is dedicated to furthering the progress and development of gastroenterology and contributing to the welfare of humankind. With a history of over 100 years and 26,000 members, the Society is universally recognized in the medical world both here and abroad as one of the representative academic societies of Japan. The Society was founded in 1898 by Shokichi Nagayo as the Research Group for Gastrointestinal Diseases. Four years later, it developed into an academic society, and then in 1954 was approved as a foundation, which set the ground for its institutionary management. From then until the present, in order to improve and expand its academic studies and to improve the medical treatment of digestive diseases, it has had a remarkable track record, which includes, holding academic conferences, publishing collected academic papers, establishing research groups, etc. Beginning with attracting the 3rd World Conference on Gastroenterology to Japan in 1966, it puts stress on international cooperation centering in the Asia-Pacific region to introduce Japan’s superior academic findings overseas. Moreover, to fulfill its mission as a charitable foundation, it regularly holds open lectures all over Japan, where pioneering physicians and specialists in various fields are invited as lecturers to promote the diffusion and improvement of medical knowledge among the general public. Its contribution to national welfare has been highly evaluated in society and, in 1993, it was certified by the Education Ministry as a special foundation for the promotion of public interest, which paved the way for further expansion (now applying for its renewal every two years). In this way, the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology has developed its socially beneficial activities as well as academic studies. And as a result, its activities have attracted attention from both within and outside of the medical world.

The Korean Society of Gastroenterology

Established in 1961, the Korean Society of Gastroenterology (KSG) is committed to the development of Korean gastroenterology by providing its members with qualitative education and training and encouraging the active exchange of scientific knowledge. The society is proud to have an active members of over 1908 which includes academics and research leaders and variety of clinicians specializing in gastroenterology (internal medicine, surgery, radiology, pathology and so on). In addition to the Korean Journal of Gastroenterology, the Society’s official scientific journal, it has been publishing “Gut and Liver” since 2007 with the aim of increasing scientific exchanges with international societies, in collaboration with all gastroenterology-related societies in Korea including the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver, the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research, the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases, and the Korean Society of Pancreatobiliary Diseases. To further promote international exchanges, the Society has also been holding the Seoul International Digestive Disease Symposium (SIDDS) biannually since 1991. SIDDS invites eminent speakers with noteworthy accomplishments from both Korea and overseas, providing an opportunity to share the latest information and ideas in the various areas related to the field of gastroenterology. The Korean Society of Gastroenterology is not only interested in promoting scientific exchanges both nationally and internationally, but is also deeply committed to establishing standardized medical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, through which KSG hopes to contribute to improving and upgrading the medical environment in Korea.

United European Gastroenterology Federation

UEG, or United European Gastroenterology, is a professional non-profit organisation combining all the leading European societies concerned with digestive health. Together, our member societies represent over 22,000 specialists, working across medicine, surgery, paediatrics, GI oncology and endoscopy. This makes UEG the most comprehensive organisation of its kind in the world, and a unique platform for collaboration and the exchange of knowledge.

World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO)

The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) is a federation of over 100 Member Societies and four Regional Associations of gastroenterology representing over 50,000 individual members worldwide. The WGO, a 501 (c)(3) organization, focuses on the improvement of standards in training, education, and the practice of Gastroenterology and Hepatology worldwide with a focus on low-resource nations. Our educational initiatives include Training Centers around the world, Train the Trainers Workshops, Outreach Programs bringing endoscopic services and equipment to developing countries, public awareness campaigns such as World Digestive Health Day and Global Guidelines with a special Cascade feature providing solutions adaptable to varying resource levels around the world.

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases

AASLD is the leading organization of scientists and health care professionals committed to preventing and curing liver disease. AASLD was founded in 1950 by a small group of leading liver specialists (including Hans Popper, Leon Schiff, Fred Hoffbauer, Cecil Watson, Jesse Bollman, and Sheila Sherlock, to name a few) to bring together those who had contributed to the field of hepatology. AASLD has grown to an international society responsible for all aspects of hepatology, and our annual meeting, The Liver Meeting®, has grown in attendance from 12 to more than 9,500 physicians, surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals from around the world. Hepatology has been recognized as a discipline only in the last few decades, and AASLD played a seminal and unifying role in focusing interest on hepatological problems, as well as the founding of other hepatological societies. AASLD sponsors two topical conferences each year in clinical, basic, hepatitis, or pediatric hepatology. Our three journals – HEPATOLOGY, Liver Transplantation, and Clinical Liver Disease – provide the latest research findings for hepatology and surgery of the liver. AASLD’s membership includes ALL professionals dedicated to hepatobiliary discoveries and patient care. Mentoring, the sharing of knowledge, and dedication to professional growth and development are among the core values of AASLD and its members.

Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver

Ever since its inception, in August 1978 in Singapore, APASL (Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver) never looks back but stick to its goal towards advancing the science and practice of Hepatology. Today it is one of the leading associations based on investigation and treatment of liver diseases in the world and the largest scientific body that upholds the standards and profession, research and create improved treatment methods for millions of liver patients particularly in the entire Asia Pacific Region. APASL’s main objectives are to promote the latest scientific advancement and education of hepatology science, exchange of information and the development of consensus, encourage the practice of medicine in liver diseases and also coordinate scientific studies between various scientists and clinicians throughout the region. We hold scientific educational symposia/ conferences developed by leading hepatologists periodically. Our events feature expert speakers presenting the finest data in the most happening topics of liver diseases with high quality scientific technical presentations, followed by varied supporting program. Each of our events intended to meet the growing demands of hepatology as core medical specialty and offers participants the right platform to exchange research, discuss outcomes, and interact with colleagues, focused on liver diseases. Our members include all medical professionals dedicated to hepatology — its research, practice and care. We cover the region from Manchuria in the North, to Australia in the South, to the Pacific Islands in the East and Iran in the West. Our members are elected on their documented scientific publications. Mentoring, sharing of knowledge and dedication to professional growth and development are among the core values of APASL and its members.

European Society for the Study of Liver Diseases

The European Association for the Study of the Liver started as a small group of 70 hepatologists from 15 European countries who came together to share best medical practice in April 1966. Over half a century later EASL has evolved into a major European Association with international influence dedicated to the liver and liver disease. EASL has over 4,000 members from all over the world and provides an annual platform, The International Liver Congress™, for 11,000 liver experts to meet and discuss latest scientific research. EASL has given rise to many international clinical trials and research collaborations to the benefit of patients all over the world.

European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation

The European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), founded in 2001 to improve the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Europe, is now the largest forum for specialists in IBD in the world. It is a non-profit association, which successfully expanded from an organisation comprising 14 Country Members to an association assembling 36 member states of the Council of Europe and facilitating collaborations beyond Europe’s borders. In 2009, we introduced individual membership allowing anyone around the globe interested in IBD to both benefit from our programmes and services and to join us in our mission. ECCO’s mission is to improve the care of patients with IBD in all its aspects through international guidelines for practice, education, research and collaboration in the area of IBD. We influence IBD management through the development, publication, dissemination and teaching of IBD guidelines and other educational materials. We facilitate and promote the education of health care professionals in the field of IBD (including physicians, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, endoscopists, nurse specialists and allied professions). We organise (inter)national scientific and educational exchange programmes in the field of IBD. We enhance the quality of research in the field of IBD, both in basic science (i.e. organising pathogenesis workshops) and clinical science (i.e. development of IBD study protocols). We promote and support national and international IBD research efforts. We take a political voice in Europe and collaborate with organisations sharing an interest in IBD including medical societies, patient organisations and industries. We participate in the activities of the United European Gastroenterology Federation (UEG) and in the organisation of the annual United European Gastroenterology Week (UEG Week).

American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society

The American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society is an organization that was established in 1980 dedicated to the study of neurogastroenterology and gastrointestinal motility and functional GI disorders. Its mission is to be the multidisciplinary society leading the field of neurogastroenterology by fostering excellence in research, education, training, and patient care. Neurogastroenterology encompasses the study of brain, gut, and their interactions with relevance to the understanding and management of GI motility and functional GI disorders.

European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility

ESNM is a non-profit society with the mission to defend the interests of all professionals in European involved in the study of neurobiology of gastrointestinal function. All officers of ESNM, provide their effort and time on a complete voluntary basis, thus making ESNM a non-profit organisation concerned solely with the well-being of patients. The European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility ESNM is composed of a Steering Committee and a General Assembly. The overall leadership and strategic direction of ESNM lies with the Steering Committee. The Executive officers are the President and the Treasurer. They are responsible for conducting daily activities of the Society and executing decisions made by the Steering Committee.