ELSA and the frontiers of astrometry

ELSA stands for the ambitious goal of `European Leadership in Space Astrometry'. In this closing contribution I will examine how the ELSA network has advanced this goal. I also look ahead to the time when the Gaia data will be published and consider what needs to be done to maintain European leadership.Comment: Closing remarks at the ELSA conference "Gaia: at the frontiers of astrometry". Proceedings editors: C. Turon, F. Arenou & F. Meynadie