As Chair of the BSG International Committee, I start by thanking Dr Neil Hawkes for his invaluable work over many years and welcoming Dr Omar Elshaarawy as Deputy Chair. The International Committee has been recognised as a Higher Committee for almost three years and the dedication and contribution of all our volunteer members, including Zonal Leads, is immeasurable – thank you.

Hearing what our global partners need and want is key, but hearing what they have to share with us is just as important in the work of the Committee. Communicating that knowledge is vital and to that end our first series of nine International Grand Rounds is complete, with participants from over 15 different regions and countries sharing expertise in topics based around the RCP Specialty examinations curriculum. A second series is planned, with speakers from Singapore, Russia, Peru, Germany, Lebanon, and South Africa already lined up.

The seven successful international grant projects are beginning and we were pleased to hear previous success stories during BSG LIVE’23 in Liverpool, including the TARMAC project, and a study on colorectal cancer in Uganda. Updates from completed projects will be added to the website and many have been published in leading gastroenterology and scientific journals.

Work on collaboration with international Societies continues and members of the Committee ran an endoscopy “Train the trainer” course in conjunction with the Egyptian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in May 2023. Consolidating Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Bangladesh and Australia continues, though often hampered by natural disasters and governmental logistics.

The agreement of rates of BSG membership for international countries has been reached including member rates of 70% of the UK consultant and trainee rate and just £28 for international nurses. Resident nurses and trainees from Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) will be eligible for free membership and access to BSG online educational events, whilst consultant LMIC staff will pay just £70. These rates will be available online soon and the offer is already proving popular.

None of our work could be done without partnership – not just with other countries and Societies, but with collaboration between the other Committees and Sections of the BSG and affiliated organisations. Collaboration with the CSSC Committee will lead to the translation of Guidelines into key languages, and the potential benefits of translating high-quality patient information leaflets is being considered.

The challenge of best supporting our international members and informing current BSG members about our work continues and we look forward to continuing our strategy aim of “[providing] the best care and achieving the best outcomes for patients with GI and liver diseases in global settings”.

Dr Mo Thoufeeq
Chair, International Committee