Formation of an Association for European Paediatric Cardiology (AEPC) Junior Members subgroup has been proposed. The reasons for this include the fact that there has been no structure in which young individuals interested in congenital heart disease could meet and discuss their aims and concerns. In the era of the expanding European Union as a benchmark of a much larger European Paediatric Cardiology community, it is important to create a meeting point for the future specialists in Paediatric Cardiology and its related disciplines. The aim of this Subgroup is to establish a representation for the Junior Members within the AEPC. We consider this to be a starting point for future initiatives that will encourage and support young people interested in Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology.

At this moment, this Subgroup of AEPC Junior Members consists of four members, specifically Ruth Heying, from Düsseldorf, Germany, Michael Rahbek, from Århus, Denmark, Joachim Eichhorn, from Heidelberg, Germany and Heynric Grotenhuis, from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Heynric is our representative in the council of the AEPC. The intention of the Subgroup is to increase its membership and therefore Junior Membership of AEPC.

As a Subgroup, we see ourselves as a forum where future plans related to training and education can be discussed and where young individuals can share their ideas. This can be achieved in two ways. By AEPC Junior Membership as well as by direct participation in the meeting of our Subgroup, which will be open to all the AEPC Junior Members who are planning to attend the annual congress this year in Munich. On the evening of the meeting, we will also arrange a social programme specifically arranged for the Junior Members, to promote informal interaction. We hope that the Junior Members will discuss the options for training and education, share their ideas on collaborative research, and develop friendships across the European Union!

Besides the social aspect, we consider other goals to be of equal importance. These include contribution towards:

• Improvement of guidelines for training in Paediatric Cardiology.
• Improvement of education in Paediatric Cardiology and its related specialties.
• Participation of Junior Members in the AEPC Working Groups.
• Facilitation of exchange between different centers.
• Representing the interests of the trainees in the AEPC Council.

As highlighted in previous newsletters in Cardiology in the Young, there is an ongoing evolution in training for those involved with Paediatric Cardiology. Sub-specialisation, recognition and accreditation are a few of the issues that are related to this subject. It is important that the views of the Junior Members are canvassed to bring in fresh ideas that are likely to affect their future. A working group of the Professional Advisory Committee of the AEPC – of which Sashicanta Kaku is the Secretary – is involved in revising the recommendations for training in Paediatric Cardiology, and we as the Junior Member Subgroup are currently working on suggestions to support this initiative. Improving education and training of Junior Members can be achieved by supporting this working group, by advocating the educational needs of the Junior Members at the the annual meeting of the AEPC. The improvement of the programme of the annual meeting could include hands-on sessions, or a satellite symposium specifically for Junior Members. When experienced teachers/peers have the opportunity to share their practical and intellectual skills with young trainees, this can only lead to more knowledge and an increase of enthusiasm!

The goal of facilitating exchange of trainees between different centres should improve the educational opportunities, particularly necessary for those being trained in smaller centres, and for closer ties in programmes for research and development.

With this newsletter, we hope to have highlighted our future goals and plans, and to encourage all young people working in the field of Paediatric Cardiology in Europe to join our Subgroup of AEPC Junior Members, whether in an active capacity, or as a Junior Member of the AEPC. With this in mind, we hope to welcome you all at the forthcoming meeting in Munich!