Dear Members of the ESTD Community,
I hope this message finds you well. As the year draws to a close, I am pleased to reflect on the recent developments and activities within our Society, which have highlighted the strength of our community and the dedication of its members.
On November 12, we held our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we reviewed the activities and financial report for 2023. This gathering allowed us to celebrate our achievements and outline the next steps for our Society. We could also express our heartfelt thanks to Ellen Jepsen, who has stepped down from the board after years of valuable service. During the meeting, we introduced new election procedures and guidelines, and shared news about an important change: moving AGMs to the first half of the year.
A special thank you goes to everyone who participated in this year’s AGM. Engagement in meetings, elections, and decision-making processes is always a testament to the maturity of the community. It reflects the shared responsibility and collective vision that drives its growth. We encourage all members to take active roles in shaping our Society’s future, whether through leadership, contributions or participation.
I am delighted to welcome Görkem Derin as our new Country Representative for Turkey. Görkem has been working closely with our Board Assistant, Barbara Puchalska, to create a dedicated sub-page in Turkish and include screening instruments in the local language. This initiative is a valuable step toward expanding our reach and accessibility. You can explore this resource at https://estd.org/turkey. At the same time, we extend our deep gratitude to Judit Molnár, who has served as Hungary’s Country Representative. She is succeeded by Zsófia Boytha, who, alongside Ildikó Kuritárné Szabó, will continue to promote ESTD’s mission in Hungary.
This year has been particularly fruitful for education within ESTD. A total of eight webinars have been prepared as part of the “Early Career Researchers” and “Published Research” initiatives, developed under the leadership of Ellen Jepsen and Lise Møller, who now serves as Chair of the Scientific Committee. These initiatives have provided an invaluable platform for learning, collaboration and the sharing of knowledge.
Another highlight of 2024 was the 9th International ESTD Congress, held from October 10–12 in Katowice, Poland. Representatives from 37 countries gathered to share their ideas, research and clinical experiences. With outstanding speakers, the Congress was a resounding success. During the closing ceremony, we had the opportunity to thank Dolores Mosquera for her dedication to the Newsletter Committee and for ensuring the high quality of every issue. A short video with snapshots from the Congress is available at https://estd.org/congress2024. For those who missed the event, it’s not too late – you can still register to access the recordings. Participants who attended the Congress but wish to watch parallel sessions, can revisit the recordings through the original registration website. Both resources offer a chance to explore the inspiring presentations and discussions that made the event so impactful.
Looking ahead, 2026 will mark a significant milestone: ESTD’s 20th anniversary. This occasion will be celebrated during the 10th International ESTD Congress, to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from October 1–3, 2026. I hope many of you will join us to honour two decades of progress and collaboration.
As my tenure as ESTD President comes to an end, I want to extend my warmest wishes to Paola Boldrini, who will take over the leadership of our Society for the next two years. I am profoundly grateful to our board members, country representatives and ESTD Mentors for their tireless collaboration. Together, we have worked to raise awareness of the clinical consequences of complex trauma, improve diagnostic practices and enhance treatment planning. I trust that the foundation we have built will continue to support ESTD’s mission in the years to come.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to ESTD. It has been an honour to serve as your President.
Warm regards,
Igor J. Pietkiewicz
President, ESTD