Mission and aims

The mission of the Baveno Cooperation is to set standards for the clinical management of patients with advanced chronic liver disease with a particular focus on complications of portal hypertension. Based on previous Baveno international consensus conferences that provided world-renowned evidence-based clinical guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of portal hypertension and set standards for trial design, its primary role involves the organization of the 5-yearly consensus conferences but also the broader objective of establishing a global, interdisciplinary research network in portal hypertension aimed at tackling significant research needs highlighted during the Baveno consensus conferences.

The overall aim of the Baveno Cooperation is to establish an international multidisciplinary research network led by EASL members to address important issues identified at the Baveno Consensus conferences regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension and its complications. In order to achieve this goal, the following initiatives will be undertaken:

1. To facilitate the interaction and integration between basic, translational and clinical research activity in the field of portal hypertension and its complications.
2. To promote collaborations and interactions with other societies and consortia working in fields related to liver disease and portal hypertension (e.g. endoscopy, radiology, surgery, pathology, gastroenterology and pediatrics).
3. To identify new relevant topics in the field of portal hypertension, to establish synergies between researchers within and outside the network, and areas of cooperation with biotech and the pharmaceutical industry.
4. To design a coordinated, multi-annual research program within the network.
5. To promote research proposals from members, provide suggestions for improvement prior to endorsement by the Baveno Cooperation and facilitate the participation of interested Baveno members in these projects
6. To foster fund raising from external sources (e.g., public agencies, foundations and industry) to support Baveno Cooperation-related activities.
7. To stimulate the formation of new research groups in the field of portal hypertension and to provide opportunities for emerging young investigators through mentoring, networking, and participation in the research and education activities of the Baveno Cooperation.
8. To promote the spirit of scientific honesty, integrity, critical creative thinking, and search for answers by means of high-quality research inherited through the Baveno Consensus workshops.