Dear Colleagues,
It is a great privilege to host the 4th Global Conference on Myositis in Prague, the Czech Republic, from 17th to 20th March 2021. Since the 1st convention in Stockholm in 2015, followed by meetings in Potomac 2017 and Berlin 2019, this conference has firmly established its place in the field of myositis research. Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are heterogeneous diseases requiring multidisciplinary approach. Participation of researchers, clinicians and health professionals from rheumatology, neurology, paediatrics, dermatology, pathology, immunology, pulmonology, physiotherapy and other subspecialities offers a unique opportunity to meet and discuss the topic from different perspectives. The open and welcoming character of the meeting is further potentiated by participation of leading experts in other diseases to provide thought-provoking state-of-the-art lectures. Since the very beginning of these conferences, a strong attention has been paid to stimulate active participation of young doctors and scientists. We would like to further encourage communication between young and more experienced experts by intentionally removing any barriers that might exist. We also hope for active participation of patient representatives and their organisations and we work together to support these activities.
With its accessible location and cultural heritage, Prague has recently become a frequent destination for conferences and congresses on immune mediated systemic diseases. We are looking forward to welcome you in our city next spring; however, we are painfully aware, that the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt our plans. Should the circumstances prevent having GCOM in March 2021 as originally planned, we are ready to postpone the event or consider other solutions.
I believe that in the end, we will have a successful meeting and being cognizant of the difficulties, we will appreciate it more than usually.
Jiří Vencovský
On behalf of the GCOM 2021 organizing committee
It is a great privilege to host the 4th Global Conference on Myositis in Prague, the Czech Republic, from 17th to 20th March 2021. Since the 1st convention in Stockholm in 2015, followed by meetings in Potomac 2017 and Berlin 2019, this conference has firmly established its place in the field of myositis research. Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are heterogeneous diseases requiring multidisciplinary approach. Participation of researchers, clinicians and health professionals from rheumatology, neurology, paediatrics, dermatology, pathology, immunology, pulmonology, physiotherapy and other subspecialities offers a unique opportunity to meet and discuss the topic from different perspectives. The open and welcoming character of the meeting is further potentiated by participation of leading experts in other diseases to provide thought-provoking state-of-the-art lectures. Since the very beginning of these conferences, a strong attention has been paid to stimulate active participation of young doctors and scientists. We would like to further encourage communication between young and more experienced experts by intentionally removing any barriers that might exist. We also hope for active participation of patient representatives and their organisations and we work together to support these activities.
With its accessible location and cultural heritage, Prague has recently become a frequent destination for conferences and congresses on immune mediated systemic diseases. We are looking forward to welcome you in our city next spring; however, we are painfully aware, that the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt our plans. Should the circumstances prevent having GCOM in March 2021 as originally planned, we are ready to postpone the event or consider other solutions.
I believe that in the end, we will have a successful meeting and being cognizant of the difficulties, we will appreciate it more than usually.
Jiří Vencovský
On behalf of the GCOM 2021 organizing committee