Eastern European Summer School

May 20 - 23 2026
Tiblissi, Georgia

General Information

The ESPGHAN Eastern European Summer School has become a well-established platform for education, collaboration, and exchange in the fields of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. Each year, it gathers motivated trainees and young specialists together with internationally recognized experts to share knowledge, discuss clinical challenges, and build professional networks. 

In 2026 year EESS will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia, a dynamic city known for its rich history, welcoming spirit, and location at the cultural crossroads of Europe and Asia. This inspiring setting will provide the perfect atmosphere for an intensive educational program combined with opportunities for personal interaction and cultural experience. 

The scientific program will be comprehensive and practice-oriented, covering key topics that every pediatric clinician should be familiar with. Through interactive lectures, case-based discussions, and small group sessions, participants will not only strengthen their clinical knowledge but also develop critical thinking and collaborative skills. 

This school is supported by the Education Partner Programme.

Application & Fees

Application will open in May 2026. 
Participation fee: EUR 75

Kindly use the online application form on this page. Applications submitted by email cannot be accepted. If you experience any issues with the tool, please contact us at office@espghan. Please do not make travel arrangements before receipt of a formal confirmation of acceptance from the ESPGHAN Office. The number of participants is limited and a selection will be made by the school organisers after the deadline. Priority will be given to ESPGHAN Members.

The course language is English.

Preliminary Programme

Day 01 - May 20

14:00-15:00       Registration and welcome drink (coffee and juice)

Moderator: Mariam Ghughunishvili

15:00– 15:15     Welcome to EESS 2026: Local organizer- Mariam Ghughunishvili

15:15 – 15.30    Welcome – GPHGNA president

Welcome - TSMU Rector

15.30 – 15.45    Lecture 1 -Introduction to ESPGHAN - Marta Tavares

15:45 – 16:30    Lecture 2 – Overview of the Brain-Gut Disorders - Marta Tavares

16:30 – 17:15    Lecture 3 – Pediatric upper and lower Gl Bleeding - Matjaž Homan

17:15 -17:30      Coffe break

Moderator: Marta Tavares

17:30 – 18:15    Lecture 4 - Growth Problem - what to look for?- Susan Hill

18:15 – 19:00    Lecture 5 - Nutritional Management in Chronic Pediatric Diseases – malabsorption, malnutrition and obesity- Susan Hill

19:00 – 19:30    Case presentations – session 1 (2 cases- Nutrition)

About 20:00      Welcome dinner

Day 02 - May 21

07:30-08:30      Breakfast

Moderator: Benno Kohlmaier

9:00 – 09:45      Lecture 6 – Celiac Disease: From Suspicion to Long-Term Follow-Up - Marta Tavares

09:45 – 10:30    Lecture 7 - GERD and other upper GI motility disorders - Francesca Gaeta

10:30 – 11:15    Case presentations – session 2 (3 cases Gastroenterology)

11:15 – 11:45    Coffee break

Moderator: Francesca Gaeta

11:45 – 12:30    Lecture 8 – Management of Pediatric IBD in special resource settings (Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis) - Michael Lentze

12:30 – 13:15    Lecture 9 – Approach to Chronic Abdominal Pain in Children - Francesca Gaeta

13:15 – 14:15    Lunch

Moderator: Matjaž Homan

14:15 – 15:00    Lecture 10- Approach to Neonatal and Infantile Cholestasis - Benno Kohlmaier

15:00 – 15:45    Lecture 11- Clinical approach to elevated transaminases - Benno Kohlmaier

15:45 – 16:30    Lecture 12- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A rising concern - Benno Kohlmaier

16:30 – 17:15    Case presentations – session 3 (3 cases- Hepatology)

17:15 – 17:45    Coffee break

17:45 – 18:15    Lecture 13- Introduction to YESPGHAN - Francesca Gaeta

18:15 – 19:15    Quiz of the day

Mentoring: interaction in small groups (6-7 trainees) with faculty members

About 20:00      Networking and dinner

Day 03 - May 22

  

07:30-08:30      Breakfast

Moderator: Matjaž Homan

9:00 – 09:45      Lecture 14– Functional Constipation and lower GI motility disorders- Francesca Gaeta

09:45 – 10:30    Lecture 15 - Food Allergy and Intolerance: Diagnosis and Reintroduction Protocols - Marta Tavares

10:30 – 11:15    Case presentations – session 2 (2 cases- Gastroenterology)

11:15 – 11:45    Coffee break

Moderator: Francesca Gaeta

11:45 – 12:30    Lecture 16 – Parenteral Nutrition: Indications, Techniques, and Pitfalls - Susan Hill

12:30 – 13:15    Lecture 17 - Inherited Liver Diseases - Benno Kohlmaier

13:15 – 14:15    Lunch

Moderator: Michael Lentze

14:15 – 15:00    Lecture 18- Eosinophilic inflammation of gastrointestinal tract -inflammation not to be missed - Matjaž Homan

15:00 – 15:45    Lecture 19- Extraintestinal Manifestations of IBD: When the Gut Isn’t the Only Problem - Tinatin Kutubidze

15:45 – 16:30    Lecture 20 – Enteral Nutrition: Indications, Techniques, and Pitfalls - Susan Hill

16:30 – 17:15    Case presentations – session 3 (2 cases- Hepatology)

17:15 – 18:00    Quiz of the day

Mentoring: interaction in small groups (6-7 trainees) with faculty members

SOCIAL Programme

Day 04 - May 23

 

08:00-09:00        Breakfast

Moderator: Marta Tavares

9:30 – 10:15      Lecture 21 – Helicobacter Pylori - Matjaž Homan

10:15 – 11:00    Lecture 22- Everything you wanted to know about feeding tubes - Matjaž Homan

11:00 – 11:30    Lecture 23 – Approach to chronic diarrhea - Michael Lentze

11:030 – 12:00      Coffee break

Moderator: Mariam Ghughunishvili

12:00 – 12:45    Lecture 24 – Cystic Fibrosis in Georgia: Clinical Presentation and Genetic Profile - Tinatin Tkemaladze

12:45 - 13:15     Lecture 25 – How to prepare a presentation - Marta Tavares

13:15 – 14:00    Closing Remarks

End of the Course

Cost Coverage

ESPGHAN will arrange and cover the following for registered delegates: 

  • Accommodation in single occupancy up to 3 nights (organised by ESPGHAN)
  • Pre-arranged dinners and social programme 
  • Catering throughout the course   
  • Travel refund up to EUR 200
  • Course Material 

* reimbursemnt of travel costs is contingent on attendance of the full course. Delegates departing before the end of the course may not receive travel coverage.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, please contact the ESPGHAN Office for details.
Phone: +41 (0)22 9000 401
Email: office@espghan.org