The NFOG 2014 congress: a venue for learning and interaction

The Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology organizes the NFOG conference on obstetrics and gynecology every second year. This time it will be held in Stockholm on June 10 – 12 2014 (www. NFOG2014.se). On behalf of the organising committee we welcome all colleagues to this major meeting. The aim of the meeting is very much to present recent advances in our field as well as foster interaction between colleagues of different generations and nationalities. Invitations have gone out to the societies of obstetricians and gynecologists in all the Nordic countries as well as to our neighboring countries around the Baltic and North Sea. Although the NFOG Congress is well known in the Nordic countries, the number of participants from other countries has been rather limited in the past. Therefore we would like to encourage also colleagues from other countries to join in this congress. Why a Nordic congress? Regions are becoming increasingly important in Europe. In many ways the societies in our northern region in Europe have many things in common. We all benefit from rather stable well organised societies with favorable socio-economical standards and similar demographics. Our way to practice medicine is quite similar, so ideas can easily be transferred from one country to another. Furthermore we are experiencing an increased flux of medical personnel between our countries, so that sharing views on education and policies becomes increasingly important. Finally, although clinical research has since long been an integrated part of clinical medicine in the Nordic region we could improve our output both with regard to quality and quantity. Collaboration and joining forces are key elements to achieve these goals. Here the well organised Nordic region with population registers, national biobanks and other related population-based resources represent a huge possibility for advancing knowledge within our field. The Scientific Program Committee has created an outstanding program, which includes six plenary lectures and 16 symposia. We are happy to announce that a number of prominent international obstetricians and gynecologists will participate in these plenaries and symposia. The newly elected Chairman of FIGO, Sabaratnam Arulkumaran from the UK, will join our meeting and will address the topic of women’s health. The Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology and other bodies provide generous prizes and grants for best presentations in obstetrics, reproductive medicine and gynecology. Some of these prizes are targeting young and promising colleagues, so please join in this competition. The conference will be held at the Stockholm Waterfront Conference Center in the middle of the city, with excellent hotel facilities. Stockholm at midsummer with its Nordic light during days and nights is a very special experience and we are sure you will enjoy it. The social program includes, amongst other events, a welcome reception at Skansen (the well known folklore museum) and a gala dinner in the grand Stockholm City Hall, well known from the Nobel Prize award celebrations. These events will all take place within walking distance from the Stockholm Waterfront Conference Center. The conference center is ideally situated in downtown Stockholm close to water and beautiful parks, restaurants and shopping, providing opportunities for the entire family. Travel connections are also easy from there. As in prior NFOG meetings, the congress is preceded by a full day of pre-congress courses, this time hosted by the Karolinska Institute. We hope to see you in Stockholm next summer and we can promise a memorable event.