The European Society of Endocrinology celebrates 20 years as the voice for endocrinology
The European Society of Endocrinology celebrates 20 years as the voice for endocrinology
Date: 19 January 2026
The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) reaches a landmark in the Society’s rich history as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary since the formation of ESE in 2006.
This year ESE will mark twenty years as the voice for endocrinology in Europe and beyond, through various activities many of which will take place at the European Congress of Endocrinology (ECE) in Prague, Czech Republic, in May this year. These include a special celebration during the Welcome Reception, and an exciting symposium centred around endocrinology over the past 20 years and the future ahead of us, with several keynote speakers highlighting major breakthroughs in the field of endocrinology. A digital booklet about ‘A History of ESE – the first 20 Years and looking forward to the next 20’ will be launched at the Congress, authored by many past Presidents and key facilitators in the formation of the Society in 2004-2006.
ESE has grown substantially from its initial 375 individual members in 2006, to more than 5,000 individual members, and represents more than 20,000 endocrinologists across Europe through the ESE Council of Affiliated Endocrine Societies (ECAS). Together with the support of our member partners which include National Partner Societies, Patient Advocacy Groups, Specialist Partner Societies, Associate Partner Societies and Corporate Members, we work collaboratively to enhance the visibility of endocrine research, care and education and raise the profile of endocrinology on the international stage.
Helen Gregson, CEO of ESE said: “Over the past twenty years, endocrinology in Europe has been transformed, and ESE has been proud to help lead that change. Our progress has been driven by the dedication of our members, Committee leaders and Presidents, whose vision and commitment have shaped the Society at every stage. Since 2016, ESE has grown from a single staff member to a professional team of twenty, reflecting both the scale of our ambitions and the trust placed in us by the endocrine community. As we mark this anniversary, I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together — and confident about the impact we will continue to make in advancing endocrinology over the decades ahead.”
ESE President, Wiebke Arlt added: “Some of the pivotal achievements over the last 20 years include setting up an Educational Programme for Clinicians, Scientists and Nurses to ensure they are kept up to date with the latest advancements in our field. The ESE Young Scientists and Endocrinologists (ESE EYES) support the early career endocrine community, and EUWIN (European Women in Endocrinology) supports the progress of women in their careers in our field. The Society's flagship journal, the European Journal of Endocrinology, is world-leading and ESE’s publication portfolio has grown to include Endocrine Connections (jointly owned with the UK Society for Endocrinology), and more recently Obesity and Endocrinology and Environmental Endocrinology. The launch of the ESE Clinical Practice Guideline programme has strengthened clinical practice by delivering trusted, evidence-based guidance that supports clinicians and patients in improving endocrine care.”
Wiebke Arlt continued: “Our Policy and Advocacy activities have resulted in the launch of a key White Paper on ‘Hormones in European Health Policies: How endocrinologists can contribute towards a healthier Europe’. The recently published EndoCompass Research Roadmap and several events with the European Commission help to lobby for better hormone health for all Europeans. This also includes the creation of the now global public awareness day - World Hormone Day (launched by ESE in 2022) - which takes place on 24 April each year.”
ESE’s roots can be traced back to an organisation named the ‘Committee of the Acta Endocrinologica Countries’ (CAEC), which was a close collaboration between the Scandinavian (Danish, Swedish and Norwegian), Finnish, German, Dutch and Swiss Endocrine Societies. CAEC founded the first European endocrine journal, which was named Acta Endocrinologica (Copenhagen), in June 1948.
In 1987 the first European Congress of Endocrinology (ECE) was held in Copenhagen, and the predecessor of the ESE – the European Federation of Endocrine Societies (EFES) - was inaugurated. Acta Endocrinologica (Copenhagen) became the official journal of EFES. In 1993, it was renamed the European Journal of Endocrinology (EJE). Following consultation at ECE 2005 in Gothenburg, EFES was dissolved and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) was established the following year as an individual membership society.
2026 sees the end of the current five-year transformation strategy which included bringing the majority of the Society’s services in-house, and this year the Executive Committee and the Leadership team, led by President Wiebke Arlt and CEO Helen Gregson will develop the next five-year strategy (2027-2031) in consultation with members – the next exciting Chapter in the ongoing development of ESE as the voice for endocrinology.
About the History of ESE
You can visit our website page on the History of ESE.
19/01/2026