Dear colleagues and friends,

You elected me to preside over EVER during this year. Thank you for giving me this privilege and honor. As a member of the board for the past 5 years, I have been gratified by the accomplishments of this society. As your President, I am committed to ensuring that EVER remains a strong and vital entity that provides enrichment to each of you as members and contributors to the advancement of our field.

During these last years, significant advances have been made, which position us well for the future among the organizations dedicated to vision and eye research. Collaboration with the European Board of Ophthalmology and the European Vision Institute will benefit EVER and also consolidate and strengthen European ophthalmology. Furthermore, under the impulse of the Past President, the board has developed a strategic plan, which is most important for our future. The Secretary General will chair a group to implement this plan over the next few years. A complete list of the aims and objectives to be achieved is available on the EVER Web site. I welcome and encourage you to visit this site, share your thoughts and become an active participant in helping EVER impact significantly the future of eye care in our aging population.

Increasing and enlarging geographically the community of members attending our annual meeting is an important challenge facing EVER. To achieve this goal, and with your help, we will stimulate research group leaders and heads of departments to send their young researchers and fellows to present their work. We will also encourage other eye societies to organize joint symposia with EVER.

Next year will be your last opportunity to meet in charming Portoroz. This venue, with its quiet and convenient spots to meet and work with other conference attendees, access Internet, or just relax will become again the place where new ideas will emerge, cross-sectional scientific exchanges will take place, and future collaborations between researchers and clinicians be developed. I am looking forward to welcoming you there.

Charles Riva
EVER President 2009