Welcome letter
Dear Colleagues,
The first large scale international gathering of dermatologists took place in Paris in 1889. Since that historic inaugural event, the World Congress of Dermatology has been held on 23 occasions, and currently takes place only once every four years under the auspices of International League of Dermatological Societies. For its 130th anniversary in 2019, the World Congress of Dermatology will return to its European roots where we will be hosted in Milan by the Italian Society of Dermatology. The 24th World Congress of Dermatology will bring together international experts to share professional experiences, knowledge, and skills for improving patient care. WCD 2019 will also attract thousands of participants from the 180 global societies that now make up the ILDS.
This Congress has been many years in the making and represents the culmination of the vision of the late Professor Sergio Chimenti to invite the world’s dermatologists to Italy. WCD 2019 President Giovanni Pellacani and Secretary General Ketty Peris have been working tirelessly with their colleagues and Scientific Chair Christopher Griffiths to bring you an incomparable and unique program in June 2019.
To continue the traditions and legacies of the WCD and ILDS while we are in Milan, you will learn about the ILDS’ global projects and initiatives as well as the humanitarian work of our International Foundation for Dermatology. ILDS member societies will also be selecting the host city for the 2023 World Congress of Dermatology.
In an era where the Internet allows us to communicate instantaneously via text, images, and video, we are still drawn to seeing each other face-to-face. There will always be a need for the World Congress of Dermatology, and in 2019 we will have the unique privilege of coming together in one of the cultural, historic, and culinary centres of Europe. On behalf of the ILDS Board, I look forward to welcoming you to Milan next June to celebrate “Skin Health for the World” with your colleagues.
President, ILDS Harvey Lui, MD, FRCPC
