New developments in the ISN
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The ISN is undergoing rapid change. This change was necessary to enable the ISN to continue expanding its programs in the pursuit of its overarching goal to enhance nephrology worldwide. The Executive and Council have taken some initiatives which are about to bear fruit. To improve funding of our programmes and become more effective, we had to centralise and professionalise our management. To this end we requested proposals from suitable association management companies and we are in the process of selecting one. We have also embarked on fund raising endeavours. This is in part a promotional and awareness drive as well as an attempt to attract more funds to our Society to underwrite and expand our programs. The management company will also play an active role in fundraising. Another initiative has been the formation of partnerships. We cannot do everything alone and we have tried to expand our partnerships, particularly in educational activities, with our affiliated national societies (we have over 90) and with regional nephrological societies. An example is our Berlin Congress in June 2003, in which we will combine with the European Renal Association and another four nephrology societies. ISN-COMGAN successfully partnered with 35 local nephrology societies to deliver educational programmes to over 11,000 physicians last year alone. We are also forming partnerships with societies in other disciplines. We have formed a liaison committee with the International Diabetes Federation in an attempt to combat the world pandemic of diabetic nephropathy, the major cause of end stage renal failure worldwide. Indeed, the number of diabetics will double in the next 15 years; 80% of the increase will be in emerging countries. The IDF and ISN have already combined in a submission to the World Bank, to produce a book on Diabetes and the Kidney, and to hold a joint conference prior to the Berlin Congress. 2003 has been designated the year of the Diabetic Kidney. Prevention of renal disease is an important aspect of nephrology, particularly in emerging countries. The ISN-COMGAN Research Committee has been developing ways of implementing screening and prevention programmes with local and national societies, aid agencies, government and international bodies. The ISN is now moving into a very exciting time in its development. We would like to attract new members to help us pursue our goal of continuously improving nephrology globally. Every nephrologist has dual duties: to treat optimally his or her patients, and to help promote nephrology to the public, to governments and to other institutions. I call on all our members to help the nephrological cause. Any suggestions, concerns, criticisms or opinions can be put to your Executive and Council and your input will be much appreciated. The ISN is a Society of individual nephrologists and scientists with an interest in kidney disease. Our Society needs to continue evolving to cope with the challenges we face and to ensure our patients with kidney disease receive the best treatment and care that we can offer.
ROBERT C ATKINS
President
(October 2002) |