The main objective of the V&GA subcommittee is to enhance global awareness of EMEUNET as an organization and the projects we undertake. The goals of the subcommittee include:
- Increasing EMEUNET visibility among young rheumatologists and researchers within the Rheumatology society: This objective is primarily addressed by organizing networking events during ACR and EULAR annual meetings and disseminating information about EMEUNET at our booth during the EULAR congress. For instance, during the EULAR congress in June 2023, approximately 80 EMEUNET members attended the EULAR family dinner in Milan. Last year, EMEUNET hosted a highly praised networking event in San Diego during the ACR Convergence 2023. Exciting updates will be forthcoming about the Networking event at EULAR 2023 in Vienna, along with numerous networking opportunities and activities.
- Promoting EMEUNET and collaborating with young associations worldwide: Over the years, we have expanded our activities and scientific events, engaging with other (young) organizations.
- Interacting and collaborating with PARE and Young PARE: Understanding the perspectives and needs of (young) individuals living with musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases is crucial for our mission.
- Interacting and collaborating on projects with other EMEUNET subcommittees such as the Newsletter, Education, Country Liaison, and Social Media subcommittees.
We are committed to advancing these objectives and furthering the impact of EMEUNET on a global scale.
Activities
The V&GA subcommittee is highly committed to promoting and maintaining the sense of community that features EULAR. Our live EMEUNET networking events are unmissable appointments for the young rheumatologists to interact, establish new collaborations and maintain fruitful interaction without borders. While these events remain a cornerstone, the V&GA subcommittee has also put considerable effort into creating year-round interaction opportunities.
In recent years, EMEUNET members have convened via digital platforms for e-networking meetings and virtual reality events. Since 2021, the V&GA subcommittee has launched a series of scientific get-togethers to foster scientific interaction and collaboration among its members. In July 2023, the 4th EMEUNET scientific event took place online, featuring an inspirational talk from Prof. Xenofon Baraliakos, the EULAR president-elect, who discussed the future role of young rheumatologists within EULAR, the transition from EMEUNET to EULAR, and the added value of being an active EMEUNET member for professional growth. Two EMEUNET members also had the opportunity to share their ongoing research projects and receive feedbacks from colleagues. Additionally, Dr. Rami Bechara, yEFIS (Young European Federation of Immunological Societies) spokesperson, presented this emerging society, its structure and its activities in Immunology. This talk is particularly relevant to EMEUNET V&GA as one of our tasks is to engage in collaboration with other young organizations such as the PANLAR Joven(Pan American League of Association for Rheumatology), AYR (APLAR Young Rheumatologists), young ASAS, young GRAPPA and young PARE.
In collaboration with yEFIS, we have organized a series of webinars on various topics. The first webinar, held in March 2023, focused on RNA sequencing in rheumatology and immunology, featuring speakers Dr. Felice Rivellese from London and Dr. Elena Merino from Dublin. The second webinar in January 2024 addressed CAR T-cell therapies, with speakers Dr. Samuel Bitoun from France and Dr. Ana Valeria Mayorga from Germany. We are pleased to announce our upcoming joint webinar with yGRAPPA on March 13th, 2024, focusing on Artificial Intelligence in Rheumatology, featuring Dr. Diego Benavent from Spain and Dr. Vincenzo Venerito from Italy.
Lastly, our sub-committee have recently participated in organizing the Joint EULAR-EMEUNET Teaching and Learning Seminar in Berlin, October 2023, focusing on soft skills and career developments in Rheumatology.
