Dear friends in PAG
Please join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creation of FIGIJ – a milestone indeed and one we can enjoy and share virtually. Founding members, previous Board members, supporting National Societies and individual members have been contacted by our Secretary General with a Note of Thanks for their past help and ongoing support. Zoran has worked hard to ensure a personal touch of gratitude. We have come a long way since 6 February 1971 and continue our journey with lots more yet for us to achieve.
We start the year with a brand new set of Statutes. Thank you for all of those who supported the revised Statutes. I am delighted to report that these were accepted unanimously with an 86% response rate. The new Statutes are effective from January 2021 and are available on the website.
Now we have completed the necessary housekeeping we can concentrate on improving the gynaecological health of children and adolescents with new initiatives and a renewed impetus on educational and advocacy fronts. Look out for new forthcoming FIGIJ statements on menstrual health and separately on mental health and expansion of the FIGIJ profile on Social Media. Board members have submitted an exciting and truly global paper on PAG for publication in the International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
Educational resources are multiplying in different languages and new FIGIJ Guidelines are being prepared. Options for developing access to the IFEPAG examination on a virtual basis are under consideration. We also have proposals for introducing new FIGIJ Bursaries for PAG Training specifically for individuals from countries where PAG is under-represented or not represented at all. Your Board is exploring this new proposal and we shall share more information later this year.
Please try and encourage your Paediatric colleagues to support FIGIJ and make us a truly multidisciplinary organisation. Ongoing recruitment is essential and we need to explore every avenue to engage specifically with Africa, so please send me any suggestions you may have. As ever we are here for you and look forward to receiving your feedback and support.
In the meantime let us propose a toast to FIGIJ and to the next 50 years!
With my very best wishes
Paul Wood
President FIGIJ