The First Convention of the Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica was devoted to one of the main problems not only of medicine in general and especially of neurosurgery but also of theology and anthropology. Many of these aspects have been discussed. Experts in the fields of biological and neurosciences, representatives of different religions and philosophers have contributed to a better un derstanding of the somatic aspects of pain and its medical treatment and of its religious, cultural, and philosophical interpretations and interactions. It really was a unique event to bring together scientists and physicians, priests, theologians and philosophers, make them give reviews of their fields and have them discussing the many facets of pain and suffering. To achieve such a difficult goal was mainly the achievement of the late Hans Werner Pia, the first President of the Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica and organizer of this Convention. Because the Convention is inseparably related to the Inauguration of the Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica the speeches and lectures given on this occasion and dealing with the aim of the Academia, the founding of Academies in history and with the anthropological challenge of pain are also published in this Supplement Volume of Acta Neurochirurgica. The Convention and the Inauguration of the Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica are a fitting memorial to the personality of Hans Werner Pia. Its proceedings are dedicated to him.
