The “Paediatric IBD Porto Group” is a group of paediatric IBD experts from ESPGHAN whose goals are to generate collaborative international research and to provide a leadership role with regards to the current diagnosis and management of IBD in children. 

The aims of the group are:

1. Research: To facilitate, and perform collaborative research of all types as agreed within the group, including ongoing registries

2. Guidelines: To develop management guidelines and statements on behalf of ESPGHAN regarding paediatric IBD

3. Advocacy: To provide experts' opinion and advocate on behalf of paediatric IBD patients when needed

4. Education: To improve medical care for children with IBD worldwide, by promoting good clinical practice via various educational tools, lectures and publications

This research collaboration in combination with provision of leadership in international guidelines and other activities requires intense commitment and hard work with restricted timelines. This necessitates opening the group to new collaborators with required expertise, while defining a mechanism to exclude members that are not capable of fulfilling these obligations to ensure keeping the group dynamic and productive.