WELCOME

Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Eurogin Organisation Committee, it is my pleasure to invite you to the forthcoming 5th triennial International Congress on “Preventing and Controlling Cervical Cancer in the New Millenium” which will be held in the “Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie” in Paris on April 13-16 2003. This multidisciplinary conference will focus on “Human Papillomavirus Infections (HPV) and Neoplasia, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and New Advances in Women’s Health Prevention”. The conference will bring together experts from around the globe in the fields of gynaecology, dermatology, cytopathology, oncology, public health, behavorial science, immunology and virology to develop a consensus on strategies for eradicating this particularly common disease. The programme of Eurogin 2003 promises to be particularly challenging, both in the selection of its topics and its format.
Over recent years, Eurogin meetings have rapidly become one of the most valuable sources of information providing the ideal setting for discussion and a forum for exchanges between the most eminent specialists and all those involved in research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of genital infections and neoplasia.
The time has come to review the status of the disease, to assess the challenges and to focus on the prospects of cervical cancer prevention and STIs with regard to new technologies, including therapeutic innovations and the development of vaccines. Thus, among countless other exciting activities available to participants, the congress will offer:
• Experts’ Meetings and Seminars, aimed at sharing experiences from various regions with a view to laying down and validating new diagnostic methods, management practices and screening programs.
• Training Programmes and Workshops, providing a unique opportunity for the physician to receive individual, expert instruction in the field enabling him to integrate the latest management strategies into everyday clinical practice. Educational material will be provided.
• Scientific Sessions, including lectures proffering comprehensive reviews by the pioneers in the discipline. Free Communications and Poster Sessions will be encouraged by awards and a research grant for the best paper.
• Symposia, aiming to summarise and evaluate recent scientific findings and the latest developments in the field.
We sincerely hope that each day will offer something of value to every participant and that we can stimulate enthusiasm for the development of improved techniques and critical objectivity of the results in innovating areas. We all look with eager anticipation towards the prospects of HPV vaccines and the perspective of eradicating cervical cancer in the not too distant future.
Come to Paris and benefit from a programme that provides a sound analysis of the state of the art of HPV infections and cervical cancer prevention, a programme that will help you to understand important trends for future developments.
On behalf of the Organisation Committee, it gives me very great pleasure to invite you to join us in Paris for the 5th Eurogin Congress. In addition, you will have the opportunity of visiting or re-visiting Paris, one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you to Paris and to your participation in the congress.

Sincerely yours.

J. Monsonego
Scientific Coordinator