Presidential address

Neuroradiology (2009) 51 (Suppl 1):S1–S2 DOI 10.1007/s00234-009-0559-y # Springer-Verlag 2009 Presidential address achievement represents an official recognition of our discipline by European Radiology. It marks the end of our dispute with Radiology, which is itself now seriously starting to follow and propose the example of Neuroradiology as clinically oriented Radiology and as a key pathway to the future life and development of Radiology. With the UEMS Division of Neuroradiology, we can finally rely on an organization that will deal with the “political” problems of Neuroradiology in EU member Countries. The President, Prof. Olof Flodmark, is the right person for this task, and the collaboration between ESNR and the UEMS Division will be very close and undoubtedly very positive. Dear Friends, th The 34 ESNR Annual Meeting, the first day of which will th nd be dedicated to the 18 Advanced Course and to the 2 Interventional Advanced Course, promises to be an ideal showcase for our Association’s scientific and social accomplishments. After years of hard work, we have achieved the ability to organize a top-level Meeting where all the topics of our discipline are covered and excellent opportunities for in-depth discussion are created. I would like to express my warmest thanks to Prof. Gouliamos and to our Greek colleagues who have been in charge of setting up this year’s Meeting in Athens. Being in Athens is profoundly meaningful. “Returning to Athens”, going back to the cradle of our civilization and celebrating there the 40th anniversary of ESNR’s foundation is important. It will be a wonderfully festive celebration. Taking stock of the last 40 years, the results are definitely positive. ESNR has experienced strong growth, its scientific level is second to none, and it enjoys universal respect. Few are aware of or can understand the challenges we have overcome in order to complete what is today the Division of Neuroradiology in the UEMS Section of Radiology. This The decision to expand our collaboration with ESR (European Society of Radiology) by introducing our core course ECNR as part of the ESOR (European School of Radiology) curriculum is producing good results, and we are looking into the organization of ESONR (European School of Neuroradiology) which, together with the UEMS Division, will certify neuroradiologists’ skills and high qualifications. I am personally contacting the national Neuroradiology societies to evaluate opportunities for ESNR growth in order to achieve our objective of full representation in Europe. This primary goal can only be attained through cooperation with the national societies, and provided that we are able to look beyond our national borders and feel truly and deeply European. I would like to emphasize that we owe a large part of ESNR’s most successful achievements to Pierre Lasjaunias and to his vision, commitment, and ability to bring us to work together. I would also like to pay tribute to Prof. Giovanni Ruggiero, who died on 20 June in Bologna. Prof. Ruggiero was among the founders and great mentors of Neuroradiology in Europe. Particularly active in France, he was Knight of the Legion of S2 Honour in that country, and in Italy; he was Honorary President of ESNR and AINR, and Past President of the Symposium Neuroradiologicum. Prof. Ruggiero laid the foundations of French and Italian Neuroradiology. We have not succeeded in obtaining the official establishment of an independent specialization in Neuroradiology, which only exists in Portugal. In a way, this was a disappointment for many of us who put an enormous amount of effort into this objective. From another perspective, I am convinced that the future will Neuroradiology (2009) 51 (Suppl 1):S1–S2 allow us to improve significantly neuroradiologists’ training, by operating in collaboration with Radiologists both in ESOR and in the Radiology School’s new 5-year study programme, which could have at least two years dedicated to Neuroradiology in the 3+2 years programme. It will take hard work, of course, but I am sure we will succeed. I am proud to be the President of ESNR and deeply grateful to all of you for giving me this opportunity. Marco Leonardi  (...truncated)