Welcome by the EAU Secretary General and the Congress President

Northern Light: Stockholm welcomes you

The Annual EAU Congress returns to Stockholm, Sweden's political and economic centre and one of Northern Europe's major cosmopolitan cities. Following the success of our meetings in Berlin and Milan, we are revisiting our Scandinavian neighbours for the 24^th Annual EAU Congress to be held from 17 to 21 March 2009.

As we are not content to repeat past achievements, we aim to further improve our congress programmes and present the best of scientific results, lectures, educational courses and bring together, under one roof, cutting-edge developments in urology and state-of-the-art medical technology. This year's programme has a new dimension with an additional congress day on Tuesday 17 March. This day, entitled 'Urology Beyond Europe' endeavours to intensify the collaboration between the EAU and urological societies worldwide. Included in the programme are international joint sessions and case discussions covering hot topics in urology today.

We have been attracting the enthusiastic participation of urological professionals in- and outside Europe, and in Stockholm we expect an estimated 10,000 delegates and 2,500 exhibitors. To provide optimal congress facilities, we have selected the centrally-located Stockholmsmässan Stockholm International Fairs as venue.

Moreover, a wide-range of topics and pressing issues in our specialty will be presented in the Scientific Programme including paediatrics, bladder cancer, female urology, reconstruction and functional urology, Benign Prostatic Obstruction, stones and oncology, to name a few. The EAU Section Meetings and the European School of Urology Courses also complement the main plenary discussions and symposia.

As one of Europe's premier cities, Stockholm is not only a host to many high technology and business companies but is also the home of the Karolinska Institute, known for the eminent committee that appoints Nobel Prize laureates in Medicine and Physiology. Cultural landmarks include the Royal Swedish Opera, renowned museums in the old district Gamla Stan and the Stockholm City Hall, location of the Blue Hall where the grand banquet is held after the annual Nobel Prize ceremony.

The Annual EAU Congress is entering its third decade and we appreciate your enthusiastic support all these years to further strengthen our specialty in the midst of rapid developments in medicine.

Join us at our congress in Stockholm and experience the city of the Northern Light.

Best regards,
Prof. Per-Anders Abrahamsson and Prof. Lars Grenabo