Dear Members,
I hope you are well. Although the past year has been difficult for many of us working with restrictions enforced due to COVID-19, there seems to finally be some hope of the horizon as the vaccine is steadily rolled out in each country, albeit at varying rates. Undoubtedly many challenges remain, and it will be some time until our research lives return to completely normal. It has been interesting to see how scientific societies and their members adapt to the new situation, organizing their conferences and webinars online. In some way these offer numerous advantages in being able to attend fascinating talks without the hassles of travel, and facilitating access by delegates from far-flung place - although I certainly look forward to a time when we are also able to relax, discuss ideas, socialize and perhaps share a drink, without having to rely so much on zoom! Nevertheless, it seems likely that the organization of scientific meetings will adapt in future, to incorporate some of the benefits offered by virtual communication, while ensuring that direct, face-to-face communication “IRL” (In Real Life) remains a possibility. As a Working Group of the ESC, we view the task of stimulating scientific interaction at a personal level as one of the important remits, which ultimately contributes to the overall mission of the ESC: To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. As such, we are continually re-evaluating how best we can achieve this aim. And I look forward to the day when, eventually, it is secure enough again to organize meetings, and it will be possible to meet in-person.
On behalf of the Working Group nucleus,
Sean M Davidson, Chairperson 2020-2022
Our mission: To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.