World Gastroenterology Organisation
The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) is an international federation of over 100 national GI societies and 4 regional associations of gastroenterology representing over 50,000 individual members. WGO is focused on "the improvement of standards in gastroenterology training and education on a global scale." The association was founded in 1935 and incorporated in 1958. The WGO was originally known as the Organisation Mondiale de Gastroenterologie (OMGE) and was renamed the World Gastroenterology Organisation in 2006. Its activities include educational initiatives such as Training Centers, Train the Trainers Workshops, public awareness campaigns such as World Digestive Health Day and Global Guidelines which cascade, providing viable solutions which are adaptable to varying resource levels around the world, as well as a quadrennial World Congress of Gastroenterology. The WGO Foundation was incorporated in 2007 and is dedicated to raising funds to support the ongoing WGO education initiatives and activities. History Georges Brohée (1887–1957), a Belgian surgeon who promoted modern gastroenterology, is largely responsible for the origin of the WGO, in particular by founding the Belgian Society of Gastroenterology in 1928 and by organizing the first International Congress of Gastroenterology in Brussels in 1935. In May 1958 the first World Congress of Gastroenterology was held in Washington DC, where Georges Brohée’s continuing efforts culminated in the constitution of the "Organisation Mondiale de Gastro-entérologie" (OMGE) on May 29, 1958. Dr H.L. Bockus was the organisation’s first President. His vision was to enhance standards of education and training in gastroenterology. Developed nations were the initial focus of the organization, however today the WGO embraces a global approach with a special emphasis on developing regions Structure General management of the WGO is conducted by a Governing Council. Acting through the Governing Council, the organisation is empowered to undertake those activities necessary to fulfill the goals and mission of the WGO. The Executive Committee oversees various program and consists of the President, Vice President, Past President, Secretary General, and Treasurer. A General Assembly reviews and approves the work of the Governing Council and attends to other business (including the World Congress venue). The General Assembly is composed of representatives from all WGO Member Societies and regional associations. Each WGO Member Society has one vote in the General Assembly. WGO has a number of committees including: Finance Committee WGO Guidelines and Publications Committee Nominations Committee Education & Training Committee Editorial Board The elections and renewal of the WGO officers and committees takes place on the occasion of the General Assembly, which is held during the quadrennial World Congress of Gastroenterology. Activities Educational initiatives Training centers There are currently 20 WGO Training Centers: Bangkok, Thailand Bogotá, Colombia Cairo, Egypt Karachi, Pakistan La Paz, Bolivia La Plata, Argentina Mexico City, Mexico Rabat, Morocco Rome, Italy Santiago, Chile Soweto, South Africa Suva, Fiji San José, Costa Rica Porto Alegre, Brazil Ankara, Turkey Lagos, Nigeria Khartoum, Sudan Xi'an, China Porto, Portugal New Delhi, India Global Guidelines and Cascades Each guideline is translated into six languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Mandarin Chinese.