Professor Dr Andrzej Więcek (ERA-EDTA President), Professor Dr Adeera Levin (ISN President), Professor Dr Raymond C. Harris (ASN President)
On June 1, 2016 three major nephrology societies — the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the European Renal Association – European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA), and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) ― signed a declaration of collaboration. The organizations agreed that kidney disease is a global challenge that respects no boundaries or borders. Therefore, all available synergies should be used to fight kidney disease and improve the standard of care for kidney patients worldwide.
“The information age in which we live means that networking becomes more and more vital. We follow the same goal of advancing education, research and science to achieve the highest quality care for everyone with kidney disease. Together we achieve more, so it is time to put our experience and knowledge together”, explains Professor Dr Andrzej Więcek, president of the ERA-EDTA.
To create the best possible synergy, the three societies agreed to collaborate in:
- helping physicians who have just started careers as nephrologists or are considering this possibility, locally, regionally and nationally
- providing kidney professionals worldwide with more consistent, complete and up-to-date information about kidney diseases and treatments
- advocating to ensure access to care and to harmonize efforts to prevent and treat kidney disease worldwide
- creating joint initiatives to leverage the societies’ respective strengths.
“The collaboration will facilitate communication among the societies, but will also represent an important step in strengthening the discipline of nephrology. International cooperation improves the standing of a discipline in the world of medical science – and people across the world must become more aware of nephrology and kidney disease”, comments ASN president, Professor Dr Raymond C. Harris. Professor Dr Adeera Levin, ISN president, emphasizes the political dimension of the signed agreement: “When pursuing political goals and addressing global policy-makers, it is especially important to speak with one voice. To shape policy it is necessary to advocate globally!”
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