investment in the future, says ERS President.

The European Respiratory Society is offering young practitioners and medical students under the age of 35 free 'Silver' membership thereby helping them connect with the work of top respiratory specialists in the field. The move will help the Society enlarge its geographic scope, bringing in members from overseas, from high, medium and low income countries.

"We consider this an investment in the future," explains ERS President Prof. Nikolaos M. Siafakas. "The young doctor gains access to the huge ERS network of excellence in Europe and beyond. In turn, ERS benefits from new perceptions and fresh input, especially from overseas countries. We believe that wider access of under 35s to different approaches and procedures to similar medical issues will further enhance the process of Europe-wide harmonization, an ERS priority.

"Of course, we also hope to welcome the same young doctors as full members beyond their 35th birthday," adds Prof. Siafakas.

The move comes as ERS launches its new membership structure, simplifying a previous arrangement that no longer responds to the needs of today's members. There are now only two major categories, Gold and Silver, the former giving access to the full package of benefits, the latter more limited but including ERS' ever expanding range of services and educational products.

With an expanded under 35 membership, the plan is to create a Student Committee, represented on the Executive Board, thus able to contribute fully to the life of the ERS. With access to a significant proportion of ERS services 'Under 35' members will also be able to benefit fully from the invaluable lifelong learning opportunities of the ERS School.

This new offer is valid from 6 April 2010.