Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It gives us great pleasure to invite you to the city of Hamburg/Germany for the

The character of this meeting is unique. On the one side the most experienced experts in the field of endourology are sharing their knowledge and cutting edge news, and on the other hand the atmosphere of this meeting is still like a family gathering. So all the next-generation endourologists are also more than welcome to share their opinion on our field. We may learn from their approach to learn, to work and to look at life itself.

The technical progress in the field of endourology has significantly improved the urological therapies and pushed the limits of what is possible. Our patients benefit from these innovative developments. Furthermore, our field of expertise is changing faster in comparison to other medical specialties. This opens new indications and new therapeutic strategies are possible. The practical urologists as well as the entire health care system face enormous challenges. Opportunities must be used and experience must be gained. The economy plays an important role, which is gaining more and more dominance over decision-making processes in medicine - sometimes in a problematic way.

Educated patients inform themselves on the internet, insist on the possibility of a second opinion, demand error-free therapies and mostly accept only an unrestricted quality of life. We are increasingly faced with the decision as to whether the technically feasible actually means a quality of life for the patient.

At our congress, we want to provide a forum for this change. All those who are involved in endourology scientifically, clinically or otherwise should benefit from the experience of others and be actively involved in shaping our field of expertise.

We see a special goal in making the congress attractive to an even larger number of younger colleagues. Clearly defined sessions in the section "Tips and Tricks" and "Current Standards" will provide a concise presentation of the current state of knowledge. Courses, training labs and video sessions further enhance the practical aspects.

Hamburg is a proven, easily accessible congress location with short distances and a very good infrastructure. It is the metropolitan region in Northern Germany, which is not only a center for technology and science, but also offers you a variety of cultural and scenic highlights.

We would like to thank the Endourological Society, professional associations and other committees, who support us in the program design. Without you, our annual World Congress of Endourology is impossible.

So, on behalf of the president of the Endourological Society, it is an honor for us to invite you to Hamburg and look forward to your numerous participation.

Sincerely Yours,