Welcome, participants in the First Global Conference on Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health. This is a great moment for our Society – the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health. For the first time we ‘go global’, meaning that we have invited institutions, organisations and individuals from all over the world involved in contraception, and sexual and reproductive health, to join us for a ‘Global Meeting’. This type of ‘globalisation’ is, however, not about economic concentration and creation of powerful corporations, but it is about shared responsibility and cooperation with a view to achieving the goals of reducing unintended pregnancies, assuring safe motherhood, promoting sexual health, and advocating sexual and reproductive rights of women all over the world.
It is with pleasure and pride that we present the programme and the abstract book of the Conference. The scope of presentations and topics to be treated is impressive. World authorities in demography, epidemiology, basic science research, medical sociology, anthropology, sexual medicine, contraceptive technology, contraceptive counselling, psychology and psychosomatics will give state-of-the-art lectures. Furthermore, we have a broad spectrum of educational presentations reflecting teaching and practice in different parts of the world. Very important and quite exceptional is the extensive participation of different European and International Scientific and Professional Societies which show their interest in the project, and do us the honour of organising sessions and symposia. Last but not least, free communication sessions will allow – especially younger – colleagues to present their work to a very experienced and highly competent audience.
This brings us to the last – but maybe the most important – objective of this conference. It is about personal contact, meeting people you may know from the literature, building up connections and, possibly, embarking on common projects. Modern technology enables us to easily exchange all types of information, but we cannot substitute for the personal encounter and the opportunity of creating friendly and lasting relationships.
Copenhagen is the ideal geographic and cultural frame for this ambitious agenda. The attractions of this city and the socio-cultural programme provided by our Scandinavian friends will help us to make this conference unforgettable.