A Message from the President and past President of ISN

To the Japanese Renal Community:

A Message from the President and past President of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN)

Eberhard Ritz and Bill Couser.

The most important element to combat renal disease world-wide is collaboration on the global scale. Close ties and partnerships must be established and nurtured with communities offering all parts of the world access to biomedical excellence, treatment options and patient care.

It is for this very reason that we appreciate this opportunity to connect with you - colleagues and members of the Japanese Society of Nephrology - an important ISN affiliated society. 

Collaboration is only successful if it works as two-way interaction

To tackle the global pandemic of non-communicable diseases, specifically chronic kidney disease, worldwide those of us who live in developed countries have a major responsibility and essential role to play. ISN leads these efforts by providing the global renal community with essential educational and research tools, programs and initiatives.

In recognition of the many and important contributions to nephrology made by Japanese nephrologists, ISN invites and encourages our Japanese colleagues  to also play an active role in the global initiatives of our Society.

Your active involvement in ISN will allow nephrology worldwide, and particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, to build a brighter future. We also draw your attention to what ISN can offer you:  ISN's Nexus Symposia – convening basic scientists and clinical workers to translate novel basic findings into medical practice, specific topic meetings such as ISN's Forefronts (where active investigators discuss topics at the cutting edge of progress), biennial World Kidney Congresses, World Kidney Day, as well as our journals Kidney International and Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology. In emerging countries, ISN has maintained and expanded the Commission on the Global Advancement of Nephrology (COMGAN) outreach program providing fellowship training, teaching, acquisition of clinical skill and expertise in the format of conferences, scholarships and sister renal center cooperation.

We invite our Japanese friends and colleagues to become actively involved in and contribute to our programs throughout the world. This can be best achieved by joining ISN today and also by actively participating in one of our upcoming programs.

Without oars, you cannot cross in a boat 

Concluding by citing this simple yet learned proverb, the oars symbolize the critical support and commitment of each and every ISN individual member, our affiliated societies, partners and stakeholders around the world.

Without the continued collaboration with the Japanese renal community and increased involvement of each and every one of you, ISN cannot and will not succeed in reducing the incidence and impact of kidney disease worldwide.

We look forward to strengthening ties and collaboration with you all and thank you in advance for your active involvement,

Eberhard Ritz (ISN President)

and

Bill Couser (Past ISN President and Chair of ISN-COMGAN)