Do you ever compare ERA-EDTA with the American Society of Nephrology? What are the main differences?

Europe is not one country, and there are great differences within it. This applies also to nephrology: there are many centres of very high-level around Europe, with top researchers and clinicians who can compete with the Nephrology centres of the United States; but there are also centres whose nephrologists, mainly because of socio-economical reasons, need more educational activities than high-level congresses or seminars.

What does ERA-EDTA do in consideration of these differences?

First of all, we are taking into consideration all these different requirements when we decide the programmes of our annual congresses, and we organise Educational Courses, not only in English but also in other languages, in connection with the congresses. Then, with regard to our publications, we had already a very good journal NDT, and we have added to it a new publication NDT-Educational, to meet the requests of another relevant number of nephrologists. By the way, the registration to NDT-Educational, which is an online journal, is free of charge precisely because of its purpose.

Will you miss your position in the Council?

I must say that it was hard work, because all of us were taking our duties seriously, but it was also an enjoyable experience in many ways. Looking back at these three years I value more than ever the cooperation that there was in the Council. I can say it was a group full of ideas and a very constructive attitude. This is something I will certainly miss.