WEO was established in 1962 during the World Congress of Gastroenterology in Munich, Germany. Up until 2010 the society was known as “Organisation Mondiale d’Endoscopie Digestive” (OMED) when the name was changed to the “World Endoscopy Organization” (WEO).
WEO hosts the entire endoscopic aspect of the quadrennial World Congress of Gastroenterology, and runs many workshops and programs for education in endoscopy. Among these are the Endoscopy Director’s Workshop, the Program for Endoscopic Teachers, the Advanced Diagnostic Endoscopy Course and the Video Capsule Course. The Outreach program has opened many new or renovated endoscopy units throughout the world and works closely with industry in this endeavor. There are 18 affiliated Centers of Excellence in Endoscopy which represent the pinnacle of quality and experience in this field. These Centers are renowned for education and teaching endoscopy. The news about WEO is sent through a bimonthly Newsletter, and is published in our associated journal, Digestive Endoscopy. In all of these areas, WEO is the voice of Endoscopy.