The ESICM Lives will feature - parallel sessions including over 500 lectures, presentations, debates, round table discussions, tutorials and interactive educational sessions. Invited speakers are all well-known international experts in their field, and we anticipate having a faculty of over 250 that will participate with us. Presentation of original research is one of the priorities of this series of Congresses and we anticipate that there will be almost 1400 oral and poster presentations of unpublished research. This combination of thematic presentations, education and discussion and debate of new data is an intoxicating mixture that will make the Congress an event which should not be missed. We look forward to you attending our ESICM LIVES 2011 in Germany where we will offer both an enjoyable and exciting scientific programme together with an entertaining social and cultural spectacle. Andrew Rhodes, ESICM President Giuseppe Citerio, Chairman of the ESICM Congress Committee Jean-Daniel Chiche, ESICM President-elect