Close to 400 pictures taken during the congress are now available for you here to see and save!

Dear All,

It will be a pleasure and privilege to welcome you to the 27th Congress of the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), to be held in Brussels - considered the “Capital of Europe” - from 27th to 30th August 2005. Brussels is easily reachable from everywhere in Europe by car, high-speed train (TGV) or flight. The Brussels Airport is connected to the city centre by train connection which leaves every 20 minutes. The theme of the Brussels – ESPEN Congress is “AN INTEGRATED NUTRITION FOR IMPROVING OUTCOME”, meaning that our nutritional concerns should incorporate nutrition as well as global care, hospital and home care, clinical outcomes, quality of life and basic science. Nutritional support and metabolic care should be a priority concern and considered in a multidisciplinary approach. In close collaboration with the members of ESPEN Committees, we have designed an attractive educational and scientific program, which broadly covers the fields of nutrition and metabolism. Renowned scientists have already accepted to join Brussels for discussing the most recent data in their field of expertise. Great emphasis will be placed on the presentation of original work as well as a research fellows symposia. Besides three sessions for oral presentations, the top scored abstracts will be included as oral presentation in the various sessions. The programme includes “tracks” on Intestinal Failure, Acute phase response and Acute metabolic changes. A major effort will be made to provide the best facilities for poster presentation to facilitate scientific exchanges. Attractive Satellite Symposia will be organised by our partners of the Industry. For the first time, ESPEN will organise four live modules which are part of the ambitious Life Long Learning Program (Leonardo da Vinci Educational program). The topics of these four modules are : Nutritional Assessment, Perioperative Nutrition, Intensive Care Nutrition and Home Parenteral Nutrition. These modules will take place the afternoon of Tuesday 30th August and the morning of Wednesday 31st August.
The Brussels Exhibition Centre is located in front of the prestigious Atomium which was the key building of the International Exhibition organised in Brussels in 1958. The Centre is conveniently located within 15 minutes of Brussels city centre by a direct subway line or by taxi. A large catering and meeting area will be arranged in front of the main conference room and a protected area reserved for poster exhibition.
In late August, the weather should be agreeable in Brussels. Do not forget to visit the magnificent Grand’Place and some of our outstanding Art Museums. You can also taste some of our famous Belgian chocolates and beers and savour the delicious Belgian gastronomy. Please note that the beautiful medieval city of Bruges is located one hour from Brussels by train. ESPEN 2005 has the privilege to be organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King Albert II. Be welcomed to Brussels, the Heart of Europe and the Heart of ESPEN in 2005!

ANDRÉ VAN GOSSUM
JEAN-PAUL THISSEN
JEAN-CHARLES PREISER