About

Aims

The European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC) was founded on December 26, 1988, in Paris, France, as a non-profit organization (in accordance with the French law of 1st July 1901 and the decree of 16th August 1901).
Besides the official seat in France, the Society has an operational office in Belgium (VAT registered).

Mission
A leading professional society working collaboratively in Europe and beyond to champion
evidence-based education and research in sexual and reproductive health and rights
including facilitating people’s informed decisions in choosing and using contraception.

The objectives of the Society are as follows:

1. To further holistic education of sexual and reproductive health service providers in every country.

2. To promote all types of research in sexual and reproductive health and rights to ensure that the education provided is based on the best evidence.

3. To collaborate with a range of non-governmental and governmental national and international organizations with similar objectives and values

4. To remain the leading professional society in Europe in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights enhancing individuals’ and couples’ choices of contraception.

Committees

Board

The Board of Directors consists of 1 or 2 members elected by the membership of European countries who have 10 or 50 members respectively.

Executive committee

The members of the Board of Directors elect, from amongst its members, a working body called the “Executive Committee”.

Editorial team

The Journal is managed by an Editorial team consisting of an Editor-in-Chief (EiC), a Deputy Editor-in-Chief and up to 6 Editors. They are supported by an Editorial Board.

Science and Education Committee

The Science and Education Committee is tasked with ensuring the continued development of quality ESC educational Resources for Members together with new initiatives designed to help deliver Evidence-based SRH care in the post-pandemic era. The SEC will work closely with our membership to do this.

Website & Multimedia Committee

The Website & Multimedia Committee identifies and/or creates materials that members and the public would find relevant and interesting and promotes this content: ESC activities to members and the public, membership advantages (DocMatter, community, journal…), support and improve the interaction between members, relations between ESC and other appropriate organizations.

Transparency

This webpage aims to provide information on funding organizations that provide sources of financial support.
Click here to view the ESC Code of Practice.
Click here to view the organization’s funding sources for the year 2020.
Click here to view the organization’s funding sources for the year 2021.

Medals

The ESC Medal (former Congress Medal) honors outstanding national or internationally recognized activity in contraception, abortion, and sexual or reproductive health in accordance with the aims of the Society.

The ESC Society award (former Seminar Medal) recognizes outstanding organizational support and activity within the ESC itself in accordance with the aims of the Society.

ESC Medal Winners

2006 Medal – D. Serfaty, France
2007 Diploma – A. Webb, UK
2008 Medal – G. Creatsas, Greece
2009 Diploma – E. Aubeny, France
2010 Congress Medal – J. Lippes, USA

2011 Seminar Medal – D. Cibula, Czech Republic
2012 Congress Medal – W. Peers †, Belgium
2012 Congress Medal – E. Diczfalusy, Sweden
2014 Congress Medal – J.-J Amy, Belgium
2015 Seminar Medal – S. Randall, UK

2016 Congress Medal – V. Prilepskaya, Russia
2017 Seminar Medal – I. Batar, Hungary
2018 ESC Medal – G. Lazdane, Latvia
2018 Society award – E. Arisi, Italy
2018 Society award – R. Beerthuizen, the Netherlands

2022 ESC Medal – J. Bitzer, Switzerland
2022 ESC Medal – S. Skouby, Denmark †
2022 ESC Society Award – L. Erofeeva, Russia
2022 ESC Society Award – S. Raine, UK

Partners

ECEC

European consortium for emergency contraception. Founded in 2012, ECEC works to expand knowledge about and access to Emergency Contraception (EC) within the European region and promotes the standardization of EC service delivery to ensure equitable access across the region. EC is the only contraceptive method that can be used after sex, and it provides women with an additional opportunity to prevent pregnancy.

More information on www.ec-ec.org

ECEC

EBCOG

European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The ESC has been recognized as a valid partner and member of the Standing Committee on Training and Assessment of the European  Board of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section (EBCOG) of the Union Européenne des Medécins Spécialistes (UEMS). By this, the ESC contributes to the preparation of the structure and content of postgraduate education in obstetrics and gynecology, especially in the fields of family planning and sexual education.

More info on www.EBCOG.org

EBCOG

ESSM

European Society for Sexual Medicine. The aim is the advancement and improvement of public awareness, education, and research in the field of Sexual Medicine and the diffusion of knowledge of new and improved methods of teaching and practicing Sexual Medicine. To further these aims ESSM supports scientists in the field of Sexual Medicine to advance the basic understanding of human sexual physiology and psychology, to translate fundamental research findings to clinical use, to develop and adopt new medicines, technologies, and methods for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions and for the improvement of human sexual health.

More information on www.essm.org/

ESSM

FIAPAC

International Federation of Professional Abortion and Contraception Associates. FIAPAC is an organization of professionals working in the field of abortion and contraception. Aims:

  • Freedom for all women to decide whether to remain pregnant or not.
  • Providing women with access to the best medical techniques available, when and if they opt for abortion.
  • Providing women with psychological and/or social support relating to abortion – where necessary and appropriate.
  • Supporting women and men in informed choices concerning contraception.
  • Maintaining the highest possible standards in abortion practice and providing contraception, without commercial intent.

More information on www.fiapac.org

FIAPAC

FIGIJ

International Federation of Infant and Juvenile Gynecology. We strive, worldwide, to improve the reproductive health of young people by raising the bar for clinical care, research, and education in all things Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG). FIGIJ brings together PAG experts from all corners of the globe to educate those who serve this population; to further the research in this field; and to advocate for the health of our youth worldwide.

More information on www.figij.org/

FIGIJ

FSRH

The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare. We are the largest UK professional membership organization working at the heart of sexual and reproductive health, supporting healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality care. FSRH is a faculty of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Our specialist committees of SRH doctors and nurses work together to produce high-quality training programs, specialist conferences and events, clinical guidance, and other SRH learning resources, all of which are designed to support learning and development.

More information on www.fsrh.org/home/

fsrh

Statutes, Rules & Policies

Statutes

Ratified by the General Assembly in The Hague on 21 May 2010.

Rules

Update 12 May 2022.
Rules can be amended by the Board.

Policies

Update 12 May 2022.
Policies can be amended by the Executive Committee.

The European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC) was founded on December 26, 1988 in Paris, France

History

The European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC) was founded on December 26, 1988 in Paris, France.

Founding Members

  • V. Bruni, Italy
  • A. Santos, Portugal
  • G. Creatsas, Greece
  • D. Serfaty, France – Honorary President
  • N. Diederich, Luxembourg
  • M. Short, Ireland
  • A.A. Haspels, The Netherlands †
  • S.O. Skouby, Denmark †
  • L. Iglesias Cortit, Spain
  • A. Teichmann, Germany
  • R. Kirkman, United Kingdom
  • M. Vekemans, Belgium

The Hague Declaration on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Europe

The General Assembly of the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health declares to adopt: The Sexual Rights Declaration as issued by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in May 2008. In this declaration seven guiding principles providing a framework for sexual rights as an integrated part of the canon of human rights are formulated: The Hague Declaration