PRESS RELEASE
SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS CROWNS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE MENOPAUSE

Menopausal problems, a developing major public health issue

That the problems of the menopause and of estrogen deficiency thereafter can seriously impair women's quality of life is more and more being recognised within the medical community. Today, when women expect to spend one third of their lives or more after the menopause, this is becoming a major public health issue that has to be dealt with - as was pointed out recently at the First European Consensus Development conference on Menopause (1995) and the 1996 World Congress on Osteoporosis.

To inspire research into the field of menopause, thus contributing to the search for improved treatment solutions, the SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS MENOPAUSE PRIZE has been established.

The prize, representing an amount of Dfl. 25,000.-, is instituted in close collaboration with the European Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (EAGO) Each two years it rewards a young researcher, scientist or physician from any European Country, for original research that furthers scientific understanding of the menopause or related issues.

Estrogen withdrawal at the time of menopause can cause physical and psychological symptoms which often drastically affect the lives of women. Considering the increased risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, long term estrogen deficiency can even result in serious disablement and death. The impact of this health issue is enormous, at the individual and community level, and also in terms of costs that are already staggering and expected to increase in the near future, as was made clear during the congresses mentioned above.

Premiere in Dublin 1997
Solvay Pharmaceuticals and the EAGO feel it is important to understand better the needs of menopausal women and to shed light upon the many issues still to be resolved in this area of therapy. Therefore they call for researchers to submit their work for the first Solvay Pharmaceuticals Menopause Prize, to be presented at the EAGO Congress in Dublin, 25-28 June, 1997.

Eligible will be original research on the menopause or related issues that has been published (or accepted to be) in either an international peer reviewed journal or in a higher degree thesis (PhD or MD) appearing in the period January 1995 - April 30, 1997 and available in English.

Chaired by Prof. Ulmsten, chairman of the EAG0 International Scientific Committee, a jury of five members (two representatives of the EAGO Executive Committee; two of the EAGO International Scientific Committee and one of Solvay Pharmaceuticals) will nominate the prize winner. For application, or detailed information,the secretary of the jury can be contacted at International Scientific Communications, Solvay Duphar BV, P.O. Box 900, 1380 DA Weesp, The Netherlands: tel (+) 31 294 477330, fax (+) 31 294 477112.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals and the EAGO count on the prize to encourage scientific inspiration and contributions to the quality of life of many women.

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EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF GYNAECOLOGISTS AND OBSTETRICIANS
I. CONSTITUTION, OBJECTS AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 1

Under the name of "European Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (hereinafter called "EAGO") an association to be governed by this Constitution is hereby established.

Article 2

The objects of the Association shall be to:

encourage the exchange of clinical experience and scientific thought and investigation amongst European gynaecologists and obstetricians.
consider the ethical and social implications of current practice and changes in gynaecology and obstetrics.
conserve the speciality of gynaecology and obstetrics as an entity while acknowledging the present trend towards subspecialization.
cooperate with national and international societies.
The means by with these objectives could be met would be by:

the organisation of regular scientific meetings.
the production of a journal.
the co-ordination of multi-centre trials.
the promotion of internationally agreed definitions.
the improvement of interchange between scientific research workers.
the arrangement of exchange posts for young specialists in training.
Article 3

The duration of the Association shall be unlimited. Its seat shall be established at Basel.

Article 4

The Membership of the Association shall include:

recognised obstetricians and gynaecologists of European countries.
those undergoing a recognised training for specialty.
other individuals contributing to the speciality.
Article 5

The decision as to the granting or refusal of Membership shall be taken by the General Assembly which shall not be required to state the reason for its decision.

Article 6

Membership of the Association can be terminated subject to a period of notice to be fixed by the By-Laws.

Article 7

The official language of the Association shall be English.

II. CONTRIBUTIONS

Article 8

Each Member shall pay to the European Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians a yearly subscription the amount of which shall be fixed by the General Assembly. Members of the Association shall be exonerated from personal liability in respect to the financial commitments of the Association which shall be guaranteed solely by the Association's assets.

III. ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT

Article 9

The organs of the Association are the General Assembly, the representative Council, and the Executive Committee.

Article 10

The General Assembly is the supreme authority of the Association. The representative Council shall be composed of two Members from each of the Member countries of Europe. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the Vice-President, the President-Elect, the Treasurer, the Secretary-General and six other Members of the Association. The election of all officers and Members of the Executive Committee shall be subject to the regulations laid down in the By-Laws.

Article 11

The General Assembly shall meet:
In regular session:
-on the occasion of each Congress organised by the European Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians. In extraordinary session:
-whenever it is convened by the Executive Committee or at the request of one half of the total votes of Member Sections. A Member Section shall be designated as the national organisation of all the paid-up Members of EAGO in the countries listed in appendix I of the By-Laws. The voting powers of the Member Sections shall be as defined in the By-Laws.

Article 12

The General Assembly shall be given reports on the work of the Executive Committee and Council and the general activities of the Association. It shall discuss the items appearing on the agenda. The debates in the General Assembly shall be validly held irrespectively of the number of Members present, except when amendments to the Constitution or the dissolution of the Association are under consideration. The points on which the General Assembly may make decisions are those appearing on the agenda. It shall, after they have been audited, approve the accounts for the preceding financial period.

Article 13

The representative Council shall meet at least on the occasion of each Congress of EAGO. The representative Council shall propose to the General Assembly the composition of the Executive Committee.

Article 14

All the Members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the General Assembly on the proposal of the representative Council. They shall serve for three years but the Secretary-General and the Treasurer shall be eligible for re-election up to a maximum of three terms.

Article 15

The Executive Committee shall meet once a year and whenever it is convened by the President or at the request of at least four of its Members.

The Executive Committee shall validly meet if seven Members are present. Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a simple majority of the Members present.

Article 16

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management of the affairs of the Association. It shall establish the yearly budget and determine the use to be made of the available funds. It shall determine the renting of premises suitable to the requirement of the Association.

Article 17

In respect to all acts involving the responsibility of the Association towards third parties, it shall be validly represented by its President or by a representative duly appointed to that effect by the Executive Committee.

IV. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND DISSOLUTION

Article 18

Any proposal for an amendment to this Constitution must be submitted by the Executive Committee or by one quarter of the total votes of the Member Sections. One-half of the total votes of Member Sections entitled to vote must be present at a General Assembly called upon to make decision on a proposed amendment to the Constitution. Should this quorum not be reached, the General Assembly may make valid decisions irrespective of the number of Members present.

In no case may the Constitution be amended unless the amendment was adopted by the total votes of Member Sections entitled to vote present at the General Assembly.

Article 19

A decision to dissolve the Association shall be taken by a General Assembly specially convened for the purpose and composed of total votes of Member Sections entitled to vote.

Should this quorum not be reached, the General Assembly shall be reconvened again within the time-limit prescribed by the By-Laws. The second Assembly meeting in extraordinary session may make a valid decision irrespective of the number of total votes of Member Sections present. In no case may the Association be dissolved unless a two-thirds majority of the Members present and entitled to vote at the General Assembly agree. In the event of the Association being dissolved under the above provisions or as a result of a legal or judicial process, the General Assembly shall appoint one or more commissioners charged with the liquidation of the assets of the Association. The General Assembly shall determine the use of the net assets of the Association. The liquidation shall be final only after approval of the liquidation accounts by the Members of the Association who shall be consulted in writing.

Sir Rustam Feroze, C. Sureau, M Seppälä, H. Ludwig, D. Aravantinos, H.G. Bender, F. Bonilla-Musoles, H. Bossart, E. Burghardt, F. Crainz, R. Derom, N.H. Diederich, H. Gjonnaes, E. Hochuli, R. Klimek, A. Kotasek, J. Kovacic, K. Kristoffersen, R. Lambotte, L.G. LampŽ, S.S. Magnusson, M. Thiery, K.H. Wulf.

Additional founding Members approving the Constitution are:

D. Alessandrescu, L. Andolsek, G. Cassoulides, T. Chervakova, T.K.A.B. Eskes, E.S. Grech, L. Hamberger, D. Krebs, G. Stoimenov, J. Tomkinson.
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MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - BUDAPEST- HUNGARY
Place: Congress Center - Patria Hall | Date: Friday, June 21, 1996 | Time: 1730 -1930 hrs

Chairman and President Markku Seppälä (Finland)

President - Elect Raffaele Nappi (Italy)

Secretary - General Tom Eskes (The Netherlands)

Treasurer - Mario Litschgi (Switzerland)

1. Roll call: there were 59 attendants who signed the roll call.
2. The Agenda was adopted as circulated.
3. The Minutes of the General Assembly held in Monaco on April 1, 1995 were adopted.
4. Report of the President:
During the year between EAGO congresses important restructuring had taken place in the European scene regarding training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The notable change is taking place in ECOG, with which EAGO has developed a friendly collaboration. ECOG has now formed an interim body with EBGO to form an new organisation, EBCOG (European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology). EBCOG will be an organisation collaborating with the Monospecialist Section reporting to UEMS (European Union of Medical Specialists), which currently consists of the 15 member countries of the European Union along with Norway and Switzerland, and has associate members which include Hungary, Turkey, Malta and Slovenia. UEMS reports to ACMT (EU Advisory Committee on Medical Training), the formal body in the EU reporting to the Commission of the European Communities. Obviously the development within the EU will also have an influence on non-EU countries. The interim body of EBCOG met in London in January 1996. President of EAGO was invited to attend, and in attendance were also President (Dr L.P. Harvey) and Secretary General (Dr R. Pfeiffer) of UEMS. Participation of EAGO as a scientific arm through its congresses was discussed at this meeting in a favourable climate. Modes of other types of collaboration were also unofficially discussed. EAGO's strength lies in its individual membership and annual congresses. When EAGO was created, individual membership was considered important to emphasise individual freedom. Now that the European scene has changed and its borders have opened, it is appropriate to reappraise the structure and the role of EAGO in Europe. At the meeting of the Executive Board of EAGO in January 1996, the President of the Interim Body of EBCOG, Professor Richard Beard, was in attendance, and the following forms of cooperation between EAGO and EBCOG were discussed:

Reciprocal representation of President or President's deputy in each other's board meetings could continue between EAGO and EBCOG.
International Scientific Committee of EAGO could include seats for EBCOG. It was felt that this Committee, chaired by Professor Ulf Ulmsten (Sweden) could consist of 10 members, 5 from EAGO and 5 from EBCOG, and they will be invited to nominate another 5 members to the Committee.
The possibility that EAGO congresses will be organised jointly with EBCOG was considered possible. Again, this needs to be approved by both organisations. It would be in the interest of either organisation to avoid double congresses and to combine their strengths.
EJOGR (European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology) could be an official publication for both organisations.
EAGO Newsletter is seen as an excellent form of collaboration.

An important issue in our field is how the subspecialties are organised. Europe is not consistent in this respect. Fears have been expressed that subspecialties may lead to development of independent subspecialties outside gynaecology and obstetrics. In the Constitution of EAGO, Article 2 states that "The objectives of the Association shall be to conserve the specialty of gynaecology and obstetrics as an entity while acknowledging the present trend towards subspecialisation". Like the USA, many European countries recognise three subspecialties that require formal training, namely maternal and fetal medicine (or perinatology) reproductive medicine, and gynaecological oncology. Their preservation within obstetrics and gynaecology is important, an entity that should embrace the three subspecialties. Exclusion of subspecialties could increase pressure of disintegration.

This congress will also be important in EAGO's history because the Constitution and the By-Laws will be amended, and we shall also discuss collaboration between EAGO and EBCOG. EBCOG will have their foundation meeting in Brussels on 21 September 1996, and Professor Beard has informed that he has been able to establish that collaboration with EAGO, through a joint Scientific Committee and the Newsletter, will be on their agenda. Before that meeting, EAGO will hopefully give a clear signal of their willingness to cooperate, a signal that will be important for the promotion of our objectives within European Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Sjoberg asks: Is it possible that EAGO will act as a covering organisation for various Ob - Gyn related Societies? The President thinks that this can be possible, but not realised, although attempts have never been made.

Sureau: Some Societies act as an interphase, for instance Perinatology = Obstetrics and Neonatology.
5. Report of the Secretary - General:
The secretariat had the usual correspondence. A new EAGO folder was made. The text of the By-Laws and Constitution were corrected. Other points are on the Agenda.
6. Report of the Treasurer:
In February 1996 the Treasurer sent a letter to the Councillors of EAGO of every country with the request to send him a list of the members who have paid their fees in 1995 and a detailed statement of the financial situation in each branch of the organisation. He has received the documents from 10 countries.

The conclusion after the discussion is as follows: To send a letter to the Councillors of each country with the request to send to the Secretary- General the correct names and addresses of the Councillors and the name of the local Councillor who is responsible for the fees of the members in their own country with a copy to the Treasurer. The responsible Councillor can send the money to the Treasurer in Switzerland.
Conclusion: no payment - no voting in the future.

The credit per 31.12.1995 was 31.211.24 Swiss Francs.
President: It must be possible to have two Councillors per member section of which one takes care of the finances, to be transferred to the Central Bank. Sjoberg remarks that the Scandinavian gynaecologists have a central organisation with bulk subscription for the Acta Obstetrica Gynaecological Scandinavia. Kunzel stresses the fact that the organisation of obstetricians and gynecologists is different in various European countries. Kunzel proposes to nominate a financial committee that should report on the system of payment of members of EAGO, the relationship between Councillors and the central treasury office in Lausanne, certificate of payment and sanctions when payment is not performed. This motion was approved.

7. Draft for revision of the Constitution and By-Laws of EAGO:
The definitive version of 19th January 1996 was approved by the Councillors and is now presented to the General Assembly. The proposed changes of the Constitution and By-Laws were approved, including the Vice-Presidency in stead of the Past President, the voting system, and 10% of congress fees to be transferred to the EAGO Treasurer. The amendments were approved after discussion from the floor.
8. New nominations for officers:
8a. The Executive Committee
The Secretary-General summarizes the proposal of the Executive Committee and Council for the candidates, after consultation with the Councillors in writing. This resulted in 8 candidates:

Pentti Jouppila - Finland
Jacques Lansac - France
Joseph Schenker - Israel
Francesco Gonzalez Gomez - Spain
Wolfgang Holzgreve - Switzerland/Germany
Wolfgang Kunzel - Germany
Brian Hackman - United Kingdom
Bela Resch - Hungary

Although the Constitution states that a new member should preferably come from another membersection than the retiring member the General Assembly felt that one should interpreted these rules in a flexible manner in this first voting procedure.
A voting machine was used. Allowing the number of votes based on the number of section members:

Country

Albania Latvia

Austria Luxembourg

Belgium Macedonia

Bulgaria Malta

Croatia Moldova

Cyprus Netherlands

Czech Republic Norway

Denmark Poland

Estonia Portugal

Finland Romania

France Russia

Georgia Serbia

Germany Slovenia

Great Britain Spain

Greece Sweden

Hungary Switzerland

Iceland Turkey

Ireland Ukraine

Israel Uzbekistan

The following countries were present and voted: Alb, A, Cy, CS, SF, F, G, UK, GR, H, I, LT, PL, R, RF, SLO, E, S, CH.

The results were as follows:

Wolfgang Kunzel: 15 votes
Brian Hackman: 14 votes
Bela Resch: 12 votes
Jacques Lansac: 12 votes
Francesco Gonzalez Gomez: 10 votes
Joseph Schenker: 9 votes
Pentti Jouppila: 7 votes
Wolfgang Holzgreve: 2 votes
Elected members of the Executive Committee for a period of 3 years:

Wolfgang Kunzel
Brian Hackman
Bela Resch
Jacques Lansac
8b. Nominated members for the International Scientific Committee as presented by Ulf Ulmsten, chairman of the Committee for a period of 3 years:

Eeva-Marja Rutanen Finland
Felice Petraglia Italy
Stephen Smith United Kingdom
Eric Steegers Netherlands
Erica Bakkum (trainee) Netherlands
EBCOG will be invited to nominate another five members. Their next Meeting will be September 21, 1996.
9. Report of the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology (EJOGR):
The joint Workshop on perinatal bereavement (Luxembourg 23 - 24 September 1995) organised by the European midwives Liaison Committee and the European College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology was published in EJOGR 66 (1996) 82 - 92. The full report of the Journal is available at the secretariat. It is "frustrating" to see that the impactfactor (0.4 - 0.5) does not increase. Again it is stressed that one of the reasons for this is the low number of subscribers. The Journal costs only Dfl. 125.-, US $ 75.- or IRP 48.- for an EAGO member. Obligatory subscription for each number does not seem to be the solution.

The representative Council had adopted Babill Stray-PedersenÕs suggestion to include the Journal's (EJOGR fee for one year) in the congress registration fee. This motion was approved by the General Assembly.

The Secretary - General presented the motion of Stray-Pedersen to include the Journal's (EJOGR) fee for one year in the congress registration fee for non members.
The President presented the following package deal:

paid-up members of EAGO, 50Sfr lower registration fee
students and those over 67yrs.
membership EAGO 50 Sfr (1 year)
subscription EJOGR 100 Sfr (1 year)
the basic registration fee included 10% EAGO dues
The Journal fee goes to Elsevier, the 10% dues and membership fee of EAGO go to the Central Treasury. This motion was approved.
10. Congresses:
There is a letter of Nils-Otto Sjoberg with the request to change the date of their congress in 1999 due to too many tasks around that year. Probably an exchange is possible with Spain.
11. Any other business:
Ulf Ulmsten drew attention to the Solvay Pharmaceutical Prize of Dfl. 25.000.- for the best paper on the menopause (to be presented in Dublin 1997).
The General Assembly invited Hans Ludwig as Honourary Member of EAGO for all the efforts he had given to EAGO as founding member, President and Past President. A diploma was given. The General Assembly gave Hans Ludwig a big applause.
The next congress and meeting will be in Dublin 27 June, 1997.

12. Adjourn.

Markku Seppala
President

Tom K.A. Eskes
Secretary - General EAGO

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Country
Albania	Latvia
Austria	Luxembourg
Belgium	Macedonia
Bulgaria	Malta
Croatia	Moldova
Cyprus	Netherlands
Czech Republic	Norway
Denmark	Poland
Estonia	Portugal
Finland	Romania
France	Russia
Georgia	Serbia
Germany	Slovenia
Great Britain	Spain
Greece	Sweden
Hungary	Switzerland
Iceland	Turkey
Ireland	Ukraine
Israel	Uzbekistan