Welcome to European Paediatric Surgeons’ Association

EUPSA is one of the largest Paediatric Surgical Association of individuals worldwide.

Our main aims:

• Promote high standards of surgical care for neonatal, paediatric and adolescent patients throughout Europe

• Support research, education, collaboration and training in paediatric surgery

EUPSA presidents Paolo de Coppi and Udo Rolle – Dialog on achievements and future perspectives of EUPSA

Paolo and Udo talk about their roles as presidents and team players in EUPSA. Paolo is the undoubtfully more visionary man as Udo has his strengths in organizational matters. This looks as a very good cooperation for a bright future of EUPSA. They exchange their visions on some very important topics for the society.

Community and Empowerment:

Paolo:             The growth of the Mentorship, WoEUPSA, History, and more recently the Global Surgery and Teaching Committees has helped foster a sense of inclusion and ownership. These initiatives have made EUPSA not only our organization — but truly theirs.

Udo:                It comes as a great pleasure and challenge to continue with these very successful approaches. The beauty in these activities is the contribution of many of our members who are seeking for solutions in various aspects for the enhancement of the influence and power of our association. Personal involvement with our society empowers identification with EUPSA.

Strategic Collaborations:

Paolo:             We re-established ties with SIOP (through the Oncology Course) and initiated new partnerships with ESPU and APSA. These links — and the prospect of shared access to resources like the APSA library — bring us closer to building an open, collaborative organization that connects the global paediatric surgery community and strengthens our leadership role for the future.

Udo:                Our strategic collaborations with other major international societies are of outstanding importance and should be further developed as well as contacts to major National associations. We should extend our activities and reach out to other organizations who are working especially for all aspects of pediatric surgical patients as i.e. the Global Initiative for Children´s surgery (GICS) and the WHO.

Education and Outreach:

Paolo:             Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Annika (Scientific Office) and Zafer (Education Office), we expanded access to high-quality educational content, launched new initiatives and webinars, and supported the next generation of paediatric surgeons through structured education, skill development, and training courses.

Udo:                 With great pleasure I echo Paolo´s remarks towards our great working Scientific and Educational offices. I am convinced, that a further and stronger connection to the UEMS and its European Exam committee will bring our educational efforts to another level. Currently our two major European pediatric surgical associations and the training directors in Europe are working together on a new version of the universal European Training requirements (ETR) for Pediatric Surgery.

Pan-European Collaboration:

Paolo:             With thanks to Nigel (Network Office-best wishes to Tuktu), we have deepened ties with key European networks such as ERNICA and EUROGEN. These collaborations — including joint surveys and ERN members actively involved in our Network office — reflect the power of collective action in advancing both clinical practice and scientific research.

Udo:                The collaboration with ERNICA and EUROGEN will remain of outstanding importance. We should make use of many colleagues which are involved in all these groups and will identify worthful common projects.

Inclusivity and Representation:

Paolo:             We strived to broaden participation across regions, generations, and professional backgrounds within EUPSA. I am particularly happy to leave a strong and independent TEPS which can challenge and help our community to growth. The inclusion of diverse voices has enriched our discussions and decisions, and I believe it will continue to shape our community for the better.

Udo:                I believe, EUPSA has gained some successes in inclusivity. All our offices have gained gender equity by their own efforts. Of course, there many things more to do, also in the Executive Board. We are very happy to have another female president elect.

My focus will be on the development of equal chances to become EUPSA member regardless of your origin, status and professional background. I am very much open to get new members from all professional physician and nursing groups.

Sincerely,

Paolo De Coppi                                 Udo Rolle

Past President                                   President       

London and Frankfurt, June 2025