Dear friends and colleagues,

The first draft address for the ESLA Congress, which was planned to take place in May 2021 was set in a different tone. Life started changing for us all in March 2020. Normality was obliterated from people’s minds and soon we all discovered that we had to strive to build a new meaning to this word. We were faced with the challenge to continue serving the community of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders in very different circumstances. Speech-Language Therapists in all corners of the world tried to find new ways of delivering services to their clients/patients to ensure that these individuals do not experience further additional suffering, vulnerability to what they were already living as a result of their communication or swallowing difficulty. We had to explore new frontiers in our profession. Organising a conference in the ‘old normal’ circumstances was already a feat, let alone under these ‘new normal’ circumstances. It therefore gives me a double honour and pleasure to announce that the whole team involved in the organisation of the ESLA Congress rose to the occasion and is planning a wonderfully interesting and exciting programme for us all!

This is the 11th European Speech and Language Therapy Congress and the first under the new brand of our organisation ESLA, the European Speech and Language Therapy Association. ESLA stands for all that CPLOL was founded for back in 1988 … and more. ESLA aims to have a stronger voice in Europe and beyond, to increase the visibility and awareness of Speech Language Therapy by actively promoting the profession and safeguarding professional and educational standards.

Whichever walk of SLT life you come from, whether you are a clinician, researcher, lecturer or student, you are all invited to join us in the beautiful unique city of Salzburg, which, apart from being a World Heritage Site, its historic centre boasts one of the most beautifully preserved baroque architecture in Europe, not to mention its rich musical history and fame.

‘The hills are alive with the sound of music’ starts one of the songs that added on to the popularity of this beautiful city. I hope that in May 2022 the city will be alive with Speech-Language Therapists from all over the world who will be joining us for our very special congress! See you in Salzburg!

Norma Camilleri

ESLA Chair