MEMBERS

Are organisations dedicated to the advancement of the education, clinical practise, research and science in the field of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (“ORL-HNS”) or are based on subspecialty areas or multidisciplinary organisations in the field of ORL-HNS. Subspecialty societies have the right to delegate one or more Representatives to the General Assembly and have the right to vote according to the Constitution.

Criteria to become a member:

• The number of active members should generally exceed 50 at the time of application from 5 different European Countries and should be over 100 members after 3 years
• The new subspecialty society should cover a specific field within ORL-HNS that is currently not adequately represented by existing subspecialty societies.
• The new subspecialty society should have been active for at least 3 years before applying.
• There should be a formal constitution/articles of association with an English version legally based in one country along with its bank account
• The Society should have a clearly defined board or presidential council, should meet regularly and have a professional secretariat or professional conference organizer
• The new subspecialty society should agree to comply with the constitution of the Confederation and to actively contribute to the CEORL-HNS.

History:

With the emergence of sub-specialist organisations related to ORL-HNS, eg. Otology, Rhinology, Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery starting from the late 1960s – such as the European Rhinological Society (ERS) in 1963, the European Laryngological Society (ELS) in 1995, the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-otology (EAONO) in 1995 and the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS) in 2005 – there developed a need to coordinate their activities. 

This was the driving force behind forming the European Academy of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (EAORL-HNS) to bring together all of the European sub-speciality organisations in collaboration with EUFOS and UEMS. The EAORL-HNS was registered in Vienna in 2005.In 2011, EAORL-HNS and EUFOS joined forces by founding the Confederation of European ORL-HNS (The Confederation). In 2013, in a next step, both societies were dissolved to "create one voice for ENT in Europe and beyond".The Confederation now consists of two groups - that of the "subspecialties societies" and that of the "national societies". 

National ORL-HNS-societies from European countries acknowledged by the United Nations, including Israel, may become members of the Confederation. National societies have the right to delegate one or more Representatives to the General Assembly and have one vote according to the Constitution.

History:

All European countries have hospitals or clinical departments dedicated to the care of patients who suffer from diseases of the ear, nose and throat; some dating back to the 15-16th century. 
At present, each of these countries has a national society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) that the majority of clinicians and specialists are members of. Only in recent history has the concept of interchange of medical specialists been encouraged and recognized. 
It was with this in mind that the European Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (EUFOS) was formed in 1985 to promote, coordinate and unify the advancement of ORL in Europe.In 2011, EAORL-HNS and EUFOS joined forces by founding the Confederation of European ORL-HNS (The Confederation). In 2013, in a next step, both societies were dissolved so as to "create one voice for ENT in Europe and beyond".

National Member Societies

>Societies related to the science or practice of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology as well as multinational European ORL-HNS societies can apply for an Affiliated Membership. Affiliated societies have the right to send on representative to the General Assembly, but no voting rights.

Criteria to become a member:

• Must have a formal constitution or articles of association with a version in English.
• Should have a long history of having had previous associated congresses
• Should not organise their congress in the same year as the Confederation
• Should agree to comply with the constitution of the Confederation and to actively participate in future congresses.

National ORL-HNS-societies of non-European countries can become Co-Opted Members. Have the right to send on representative to the General Assembly, but no voting rights.

 Brazil
 
 Egypt
 
 Mexico
 
 South Korea

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With the establishment of the European Community and later the European Union, it became necessary to harmonise and improve the quality of training of medical specialists in Europe. So in 1958, the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes/European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) was founded. In 1962, the ORL-HNS specialist section was formed.

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