From the WFN – Page 11

Report of the Membership Committee

By Jacques L. De Reuck

The Membership Committee of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) will make a special effort during the coming years to attract neurologists of different countries who have difficulties to become part of the WFN, in particular from Africa.

For those countries that do not yet have a national neurological society, we propose to individual neurologists to apply first for Associated Membership, so that they can become familiar with the WFN and later apply for a full membership when they are able to form a national neurological society.

This proposal is not restricted to African neurologists. In order to overcome existing language barriers, we will accept proposals in French or Spanish, that will be translated into English when submitted to the WFN Board and Council of Delegates at the next congress in Santiago, Chile.

Contact the chair of the Membership Committee with additional questions and remarks at dereuck.j@gmail.com.

We hope that you will join us, so that the WFN will become more representative and able to stress the importance of neurological diseases in the World Health Organization.

De Reuck is the chairperson of the Membership Committee.

Improving the WFN Website

By Walter Struhal, Surat Tanprawate and Chiu Man

The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) is an active worldwide organization that promotes and advocates for neurology on all continents. We have started to re-engineer the website to shed light on this broad spectrum of activities.

The design of the website in recent years has been analogous to an information booklet on the WFN. We want to transform the current website into a vivid and timely information platform, which should allow WFN officials and WFN partners to interact with the website audience. We will not change the design, to keep the corporate identity stable, but the website logistics will change considerably.

Here are some of the expected changes.

A new registration feature will allow individuals to subscribe to WFN new.
Short introductory texts will guide the user through all areas of the website.
The content of WFN’s publications (World Neurology and Journal of the Neurological Sciences) will be embedded and promoted through the website; contents of both publications will be presented in short video introductions as well as being indexed for searchability within the site.
WFN Committees, Applied Research Groups, partners and initiatives will have access to this information platform to keep the world updated on progress in their areas of responsibility.
Content from past congresses will be accessible through an online archive, and online teaching and training tools will be promoted.
WFN officials will have the opportunity to present their work for WFN, eventually also through short video messages.
Many more details will be adapted.

An essential concept of the new website will be to integrate social media much more strongly into WFN’s online experience. Social media allows us to quickly and effectively interact with our audience.

To help us achieve this, we have introduced three social media channels:

Facebook (facebook.com/wfneurology), Twitter (twitter.com/wfneurology) and LinkedIn (http://linkd.in/1uckYLK). These groups already serve as discussion platforms and user numbers are constantly growing.

We Need Your Help

We want the website to serve your needs in advocating your WFN projects and activities. To do so, we have to get the information flowing. Please help us make your great work visible. We will serve your needs, by promoting your initiatives and ideas.

It really won’t take long. Consider that one of the most popular microblogging services, Twitter, basically only supports messages up to 140 characters, so your statements should be short and concise. So in only the few minutes you invest, we might make your work visible to the world. Send your info to walter.struhal@akh.linz.at.

WFN Training Centers

Wolfgang Grisold

By Wolfgang Grisold and Steven Lewis

A worldwide concept for regional training

The mission of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) is to foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide by promoting global neurological education and training. The WFN Education Committee has developed a concept paper to define the standards and requirements for WFN Training Centers worldwide. The purpose is to establish worldwide standards of neurological care and at the same time improve local training in neurology.

WFN Training Centers will provide excellent training in neurology regionally in all parts of the world. To be accredited by the WFN, centers must be public, openly accessible university centers. Neurology must be a department on its own, closely connected to related fields, such as neurosurgery, internal medicine, psychiatry, radiology and neuropathology.

Departments should have a defined structure of experience in general neurology, dealing with the most common neurological diseases worldwide, and also addressing local neurological needs. Training must be performed in inpatient and outpatient services. In addition, electrophysiology, neuro-ultrasound and CSF analysis should be available in the department. The objective of the training course should be the independent, unsupervised practice of neurology by the trainees after the termination of their training.

The center needs to provide the WFN with a detailed plan of the training, the teaching staff and the availability of departmental facilities and structural facilities for the WFN trainees, including a detailed description of housing and accommodations, legal issues, working permit and insurance.

Prior to the establishment of a WFN Training Center, the center must follow the accreditation process set by the WFN. This includes the submission of a formal application and detailed report about the center, written and face-to-face interviews with center staff and a site visit by representatives of the WFN.

The WFN, as a charity registered in the U.K., will only grant accredited status to a center after a thorough examination. The WFN expects that the Training Centers will conduct their programs in a responsible and economic way, in line with the WFN’s charitable aims.

Training Centers make regular reports to the WFN about the development of the trainees and confirm the end of training or other agreed milestones. WFN Training Center accreditation is for a period of two years and can be renewed.

Positions for future trainees at WFN Training Centers will be announced on the WFN website and on social media. The selection of candidates will be made by a committee composed of local/regional representatives and members of the WFN Education Committee.

Visit the WFN website for more information about WFN Training Centers.

WFN Education Committee Update

By Wolfgang Grisold, MD, Steven L. Lewis, MD and Laura Kennedy

Wolfgang Grisold

The Education Committee of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) continues its mission to foster neurologic education worldwide via a number of ongoing projects and new initiatives. In January 2014, Dr. Steven Lewis (U.S.) became the new Chair of the Education Committee, following the extremely productive and successful tenure of Co-Chairs Dr. Stephen Sergay and Dr. Wolfgang Grisold. Current membership of the WFN Education Committee, which most recently met at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on April 28, 2014, includes, (with each name listed with their countries of residence): Sarosh Katrak (India), Cynthia Comella (USA), Morris Freedman (Canada), Riadh Gouider (Tunisia), Alla Guekht (Russia), and new members Bo Norrving (Sweden), Teresa Corona (Mexico), Dasheveg Shuren (Mongolia), Therese Sonan (Ivory Coast), Mostafa El Alaoui Faris (Morocco), Daniel Truong (USA), Erich Schmutzhard (Austria), and Trustee Representatives Wolfgang Grisold (Austria) and Gallo Diop (Senegal). The Education Committee functions smoothly within the WFN under the administrative support of Laura Kennedy, Education Project Coordinator.

Some of the ongoing projects of the Education Committee include the monitoring and awarding of educational grants, including the Junior Traveling Fellowships. This year, 28 neurologists from low or lower-middle income countries were awarded Junior Traveling Fellowships to attend international congresses, including the World Stroke Congress and the joint EFNS-ENS congress.

The accreditation of Teaching Centers continues, with the goal being to provide high-quality fellowship training centers to fulfill educational needs in specific regions of the world. Current accredited training centers are located in Trujillo, Peru, and Rabat, Morocco, the latter being the most recently accredited site. Dr. Mohamed Albakaye from Mali was recently chosen to be the inaugural fellow in Clinical Neurophysiology at the Rabat Teaching Center under the supervision of Pro. El Alaoui Faris at Mohamed V. Souissi University. There is ongoing review of letters of interest and applications for accreditation from other potential Teaching Centers worldwide.

Steven L. Lewis

In addition to accreditation of Teaching Centers for year-long fellowships, the WFN and the Education Committee have an ongoing Department Visit program, where neurologists can visit training programs for shorter educational visits. The Department Visit Program in Turkey hosted 4-week visits this past academic year by Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim and Dr. Yahaya Olugbo Obiabo, both from Nigeria, who visited the Cerrahpasa School of Medicine in Istanbul, and the Gazi University Faculty of Medicine in Ankara, in addition to attending the Annual Congress of the Turkish Neurological Society. Plans for a number of additional Department Visit programs in various regions of the world are in various stages of discussion and development at this time. Austria has just signed the agreement for this program and will host two visitors from Africa.

The Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology program is a longstanding and very successful joint AAN/WFN project, whereby 400 copies of Continuum, the official Continuing Medical Education Journal of the AAN, are donated by the AAN to the WFN for distribution to 45 countries for Continuum-based teaching conferences. The WFN continues to monitor this project closely, with updates twice yearly to the Continuum Editorial Board, with ongoing discussions about ways to even further enhance this important program.

Laura Kennedy

Finally, the Education Committee is also working on a recent proposal to develop and draft a worldwide neurology training curriculum, which may be of benefit not only to the WFN Teaching Centers but also to any neurology training program. We also look forward to the potential for increased cooperation with the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in this and other educational initiatives including eBrain.

The Education Committee looks forward to continuing its many ongoing programs and pursuing new independent initiatives as well as synergies with other organizations, all to foster and improve the quality and reach of neurologic education globally.

World Brain Day 2014

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Raad Shakir

During the summer of 2014, an important date was introduced into the neurological calendar with the creation of the first World Brain Day (WBD) on July 22 – the anniversary of the founding in 1957 of the WFN. This was celebrated across the world. Many neurological associations publicized the marvels of the brain and promoted neurological care. The impact on decision makers and on the public will take time to evaluate.

World Brain Day Across the Globe

There were many examples. The Times of India published a World Brain Day Supplement and its reporter from Nagpur detailed the events happening in that city, which lies at the heart of India:

Figure 1. Prof. Serefnur Ozturk, president of the Turkish Neurological Society. Article in a local newspaper (Anadolu manjet, konya, 23 temmuz) talking about the World Brain Day.

“Listen to the heart, goes a saying. But science eulogizes the brain, which controls every organ, including the heart. Unfortunately, the general public as well as doctors have not accepted the importance of the brain over the heart. Hence, the World Neurological Federation (WNF) has declared July 22 as World Brain Day to create awareness about early detection of brain diseases and trauma, and understand their importance over other diseases. Dr. Chandrashekhar Meshram, national president of Indian Academy of Neurology, has extended the awareness drive to a ‘Brain Week’.”

The Supplement highlighted many facts and figures on neurological diseases including the fact that “15 percent people suffer from neurological (brain) disorders.”

Prof. Mohammad Wasay, chair of the public awareness committee, WFN, and I had the pleasure of participating in a Skype appearance at the Janakapuri Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi organized by Prof. Man Mohan Mehndiratta. This was well attended, and there was a lively question-and-answer session. Similar events happened elsewhere: for instance, in Kolkata with Prof. Arabinda Mukherjee, president-elect of the Indian Academy of Neurology.

Another example of the intense media coverage of WBD was in Turkey. (See Figure 1.) Prof. Serefnur Ozturk, president, Turkish Neurological Society, worked hard to promote the day, and many Turkish newspapers covered the activities.

In Zagreb, Croatia, Prof. Vida Demarin and Olga Plazibat, secretary of the Croatian Stroke Society, are pictured in Kvaternik’s Square promoting WBD. (See Figure 2.)

The WFN is most grateful to the EAN for the coverage WBD had in Europe with the publication in Neuropenews. Prof. David Vodusek (Slovenia), one of the current editors, had the poster and news publicized across Europe.

Prof. Marco Medina notified all Latin American societies to celebrate WBD in their countries.

Following this global success, the WFN is looking to consolidate the first WBD by involving the WHO and all its regions in the next one on July 22, 2015.

WFN Grants

The WFN has decided on its grants allocations for 2014. The number of applicants was again healthy, and the reviewers were active in their advice. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of the process is the collaboration with neurology specialty organizations and World Brain Alliance members in partnering the WFN for funding. This is the essence of international collaboration for the advancement of neurology.

World Health Organization

The collaboration with the WHO continues, and the time has come for all to participate in the second edition of the Neurology Atlas. All WFN member societies have received a questionnaire from the WHO on the status of neurology in their countries. This coupled with information from governmental health authorities should produce a comprehensive picture on the status of neurological services and availability of all facilities needed in neurological practice. I am positive that all neurological societies will provide information to update the current atlas, which is now 10 years old.

Figure 2. Prof. Vida Demarin (right) and Olga Palzibat at World Brain Day in Zagreb.

The WHO is moving full speed ahead with ICD11, and the process is making progress. The neurology section is nearly complete, but there remains a number of issues, which need further action. Many of you have contributed and given of your time and experience to the project. As with any major endeavor, at the end of the day, the WHO coding team will have the final say in the layout of the classification, and we may have to accept some compromises. There are many areas up for discussion, and one has to say that the WHO has been most helpful and accommodating to the neurosciences and has agreed to many reasonable requests without any major difficulties. As an example; the issue of Prion diseases is under discussion now. In ICD10, it was classified under ‘slow virus infection’. Now the whole classification and etiology is clarified; however, the issue of transmissibility is being discussed, with the infectious diseases group. Double parenting of various conditions and their coding is being discussed, and compromises are happening across the classification.

Changes in the Constitution and Bylaws

The WFN is embarking on a major change in its trustees’ structure. Over many years, the organization of the WFN has been under review, and we have had several recommendations to divide the position of secretary-treasurer general into two posts. This has gone through many committees, in particular the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. The WFN’s legal adviser has now looked at the proposal, and it was put to the Council of Delegates as a recommendation from the trustees at their meeting in Boston. Thereafter, the Nominating Committee will look for suitable applicants for the post of treasurer, and the Council of Delegates will make a selection during the forthcoming World Congress in Santiago in November 2015.

Election of a Trustee

By the time this column is published, the Council of Delegates meeting will have elected a new trustee to replace Prof. Gustavo Roman who has completed two terms of office. My two predecessors Vladimir Hachinski and Johan Aarli, both of whom have worked with Gustavo, and I would like to register our appreciation for all of the years of service he has given to the WFN. His work globally and in particular in Latin America has come to fruition in the establishment of the Pan American Federation of Neurological Societies. His expertise will be called upon to continue working for the WFN. There are four candidates competing for the position of trustee. The trustees welcome the election of Dr. Riadh Gouider as a new trustee; Dr. Gouider will add depth and experience to the WFN management team.

WCN 2015 Santiago

The preparations for WCN 2015 are well under way, and the program is now practically finalized, the abstract submissions opened in October for six months. The scientific program is finalized and the speakers will provide the highest quality of current neurological information for those neurologists in clinical practice and research. Having been to Chile, I can only say that the organization is impeccable, and the country is delightful. I am sure all of us will have a memorable congress in Santiago.

Putting the Brain on the World Map

Report of a highly successful debut World Brain Day

By Mohammad Wasay, MD, FRCP, FAAN

Mohammad Wasay

The idea of World Brain Day received a lot of appreciation and enthusiasm since its approval by World Federation of Neurology (WFN). Time was short, and the task was huge but the Public Awareness Committee (PAC) and Grisold Wolfgang, secretary-general, WFN, worked over a three-month period to make it a success.

Developing a public message and theme was the foremost task. AAN’s palatucci list serve made it easier. Many slogans, themes and messages were discussed and finally PAC suggested a list of themes, logos, messages and publication material.

All member country delegates were sent a memo by President Raad Shakir regarding information and suggested activities for World Brain Day. World Neurology’s article on World Brain Day also created awareness and momentum for this day.

Publication material including banners, posters and brochures were designed by a professional team of an advertising agency. These materials were made available to all delegate societies by the WFN website. The WFN Facebook page actively posted these materials that were shared by thousands. The number of WFN Facebook page likes were increased by 500 percent over one month. A special post on our Facebook page was a specially recorded video briefing of World Brain Day by Shakir. This video was shared by thousands creating awareness about World Brain Day.

An international media agency was hired to prepare a press briefing and disseminated throughout world media in four languages (English, German, Spanish and French). It was additionally translated into Urdu, Arabic, Hindi and other local languages. July 22, 2014, was a memorable day for WFN in terms of media propagation. Hundreds of newspapers around the world published our press briefing in more than 10 languages. Radio and TV programs were produced and telecast.

Member societies played an exceptional role in the day’s success. Despite limited time, more than 50 member societies organized public awareness activities in their countries. These included press conferences, seminars, patient awareness activities, briefings to media, students and health care workers. The largest numbers of activities were organized in India, Turkey and Pakistan. In India, other professional organizations including epilepsy foundation and Indian Neurorehab society organized activities. A prominent feature of World Brain Day activity in Janakpuri Hospital, New Delhi (organized by M.M. Mehndiratta) was Skype address of Raad Shakir.

The highest impact of this day was created on social media. Many societies shared and posted the World Brain Day banner on their websites. The American Academy of Neurology posted World Brain Day info on its website and Facebook pages with thousands of sharing.

Activities were largely organized by WFN and member societies. Due to a shortage of time, we were not able to actively involve other professional organizations especially Brain Council and Brain Research Organizations, World Health Organization and affiliated organizations like UNICEF.

In my knowledge, none of world days have received so much attention and media coverage as World Brain Day in its debut year. Our goal is to establish it as a joint WFN-WHO day. That requires years of awareness and advocacy. We should start planning for 2015 World Brain Day now with a target to approach millions of people, thousands of doctors (especially neurologists) and hundreds of health care and government officials in 2015.

Wasay is a professor in the Department of Neurology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, and the chair, public awareness and advocacy committee, World Federation of Neurology.

Council of Delegates 2014

Report to WFN Members

By Raad Shakir, President, WFN

The WFN holds an annual general meeting. As a U.K. registered charity, it is legally required to be accountable to its membership and report its activities and finances on an annual basis.

The Council of Delegates is the highest authority of the WFN. It holds the elected officers and trustees to account and has the full power over all matters related to the activities of the WFN as stated in the WFN Memorandum and Articles of Association. These can be found on the WFN website.

The 2014 Council of Delegates (COD) was held on Sept. 11, 2014, during the joint ACTRIMS/ECTRIMS meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. A total of 34 out of 116 delegates, including those with proxies, were eligible to vote. (See Figure 1 on page 15)

This was my first COD as WFN president, and I thanked the delegates for their trust in electing me as well as thanked my predecessor Vladimir Hachinski for his role in developing the WFN during his term of office. I will do my best to move the organization forward.

The continued collaboration with peer organizations through the World Brain Alliance will be further cemented to ensure that it will prosper. The creation of the Regional Directors Liaison Committee under the chairmanship of Tim Pedley, WFN North America regional director, was reported to council. This committee is independent from WFN officers and is charged with implementing the principle of global involvement through regional empowerment.

Figure 1. Delegates voting on business at the Council of Delegates.

The COD approved several items presented by the trustees. Changes to the WFN Memorandum and Articles of Association were presented. This is an important amendment, which has been recommended by WFN reviewers and endorsed by successive Constitution and Bylaws Committees. The WFN trustees, following legal advice from Hunters, WFN lawyers, approved this change. This specifically separates the post of secretary-treasurer general into two, one of secretary general and the other of treasurer. The reasoning and background was presented to Council. Prof. Alastair Compston (UK) previous chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee further explained the background. The amendment was accepted by unanimous vote. This means that there shall be two posts for COD to elect in Santiago 2015; that of treasurer and another trustee to replace the vacated post of Wolfgang Grisold following his election as secretary-treasurer general.

The Nominating Committee presented the COD with four candidates for the post of trustee. The vacancy was created by the end of the second term of Prof. Gustavo Roman. Prof. Roman has served the WFN for many years and will continue to do so as the chairman of the Latin America Initiative. He served with three WFN presidents; his wisdom and considered advice were invaluable.

The four candidates were Jose Biller (U.S.), Riadh Gouider (Tunisia), Man Mohan Mehndiratta (India) and Serefnur Ozturk (Turkey). Following a second ballot, Prof. Gouider was duly elected as WFN trustee. (See Figure 2.) The officers and trustees welcome Riadh to the team. His experience in the WFN goes back many years and his current position as president of the Pan African Association of Neurosciences Societies would be most useful to the WFN. The WFN is most indebted to Prof. Eduard Auff (Austria), president of WCN 2013 Vienna for supervising the election process.

Figure 2. Prof. Riadh Gouider being elected WFN trustee.

Prof. William Carroll, WFN first vice president, who chairs the WFN Congress Committee and the Specialty Network, spoke at the meeting. He informed the council of the current status of the preparations for the forthcoming congresses in Santiago, Chile, Oct. 30-Nov. 4, 2015, and Kyoto, Japan, Nov. 14-19, 2017. The preparations for Chile are well on target and the submission of abstracts is open. As with all World Congresses, there are a substantial number of travelling fellowships to encourage young neurologists to attend. Prof. Carroll detailed the current status of the close relationship with specialty neurology organizations in partnered educational endeavors and members of the World Brain Alliance in matters of global advocacy; both of which are highly valued by the WFN. The existing disparity between the six WFN regions was emphasized. The trustees are keen to see the growth of stable and independent functioning regional organizations through the coordinated endeavors of the regional directors and initiative chairs.

Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, secretary-treasurer general, presented the WFN financial status. The audited accounts were already sent to all delegates. The WFN is in good financial standing. The WFN is a lean organization run efficiently by two full-time and three part-time staff. The cost of the central office in London and elsewhere is relatively small. The total assets of the WFN at the end of 2013 amounted to £ 3,155,812. The rise in assets in spite of increased spending is mainly due to the excellent profit made by the Vienna WCN. We have to give our gratitude to the Austrian Society of Neurology and the now amalgamated European Federation of Neurological Societies for their efforts and close collaboration. The excellent collaboration will continue with the European Academy of Neurology.

A decision of the WFN trustees was made to allocate 30 percent of the annual budget to grants. The grants for 2013 were already dispersed and those for 2014 were decided and have started to be awarded. The WFN is most grateful to grant reviewers and to members of the World Brain Alliance and Specialty Network for their support and agreement to be partners in financing grants.

Prof. Grisold detailed the success of the World Brain Day, which was held on July 22, 2014. All member societies that participated were duly thanked. The day will be expanded in 2015, and more activities are planned. The WFN publications and website report were detailed and activities on social media were brought to the attention of the council, these continue to grow and expand.

Prof. Grisold outlined the activities of the education committee chaired by Steven Lewis (U.S.) announcing the departmental visiting programs, which successfully started in Turkey, and have now been agreed to start in Austria. The start of the Rabat training program was mentioned, and Prof. Gallo Diop detailed this in his Africa initiative report. Negotiations are under way to establish further WFN accredited training centers.

Prof. Diop, WFN trustee, chair of the Africa Initiative, gave an account of the status of neurology across Africa. Although the situation is still dire in many countries, there is clear increase in neurological services and manpower. This is most welcome and plans to expand the role of the WFN on its own and in partnership with others including EAN, IBRO, IPMDS and AAN were detailed. The WFN is committed to the Africa initiative, which receives financial support through grants, and the reserved fund created following WCN Marrakesh.

Prof. Diop pointed out the start of training African neurologists in Africa with the commencement of training in September 2014, in the first WFN accredited training center in Rabat, Morocco. The WFN is most indebted to the Moroccan Neurological Society and the Moroccan Neurology Foundation for their continuous and indefatigable support for all WFN activities and in particular their commitment to training African neurologists in Africa.

Prof. Roman informed the council of the final stages of the formation of the Pan American Federation of Neurological Societies (PAFNS) to represent Neurology in Latin America. The WFN has designated grants for three developing regions: Asia, Africa and Latin America. This newly formed federation should unite the Latin American neurological world by the time the 22nd WCN is held in Chile.

Prof. Ryuji Kaji (Japan), chair of the Asia Initiative could not be in Boston. I pointed out the huge success of the Asian Oceanian Association of Neurologists. The association is now mature and active. First Vice President William Carroll and I had the pleasure of attending the Asian Oceanian Congress of Neurology in Macau in March 2014. The organization is moving ahead with its activities and is participating in the organization of the 23rd WCN Kyoto.

The COD official business is crucial and its decisions are legally binding to the WFN, but perhaps as importantly, is the interaction and relationships of delegates to renew friendships, start new ones, exchange ideas and news of the past year. There is no replacement for face-to-face meetings. The annual council of delegates meeting is that and much more. The next COD meeting will be held Oct. 31, 2015, in Santiago, Chile.

WFN Election 2014: Recommendations for Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee of the World Federation of Neurology having invited nominations for one elected trustee post falling vacant with effect, from the 2014 Annual General Meeting (Council of Delegates) on Sept. 11, 2014, recommends the following candidates to the membership:

Prof. José Biller (U.S.)
Prof. Riadh Gouider (Tunisia)
Prof. Dr. Serefnur Ozturk (Turkey)
It is open to anyone to make additional nominations by:
- Obtaining the supporting signatures of five or more authorized delegates
- Submitting the name(s) of the individual(s) in question to the Secretary-Treasurer General, c/o the London Secretariat office, to arrive at least 30 days prior to the date of the Council of Delegates meeting.

Moving Neurology Forward

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Raad Shakir

Many important events shape our future, and in the neurology world, one of those has happened since the last issue of World Neurology. The WFN has six regions across the world and one of them is Europe. For historical reasons, two neurological societies were created in the continent, and through the diligent work of many people, the EFNS and the ENS have now joined together to create the European Academy of Neurology (EAN). This occurred through good will and compromise on both sides. The newly established organization has inherited the work and funds of the two previous ones. This puts it in an excellent position to hit the ground running.

This amalgamation would not have been possible were it not for the farsighted view taken by the leaders of the EFNS and ENS, Prof. Richard Hughes, EFNS president, and Prof. Claudio Bassetti, ENS president. The new constitution would not have been possible without the hard work of the transitional team: Prof. Jacques De Reuck and Prof. Gustave Moonen from Belgium; Jose Ferro, Portugal; Detlef Kömpf, Germany; and Gunhild Waldemar, Denmark.

I might add that, in a way, history repeats itself as the WFN itself was created in 1957 by the initial efforts of three Belgians: our first President, Ludo Van Bogaert; Charles Poser, our first editor of World Neurology and Armand Lowenthal. The two Belgian members of the EAN’s transitional team have again been instrumental in creating a new and rather ingenious constitution for the new European Academy. This is a unique structure that serves to instruct us all on how to overcome differences and create functional and egalitarian professional organizations.

Figure 1. Raad Shakir and Günther Deuschl.

It was my pleasure to attend the first general assembly and elections held June 3, 2014, in Istanbul. Prof. Günther Deuschl from Kiel, Germany, was elected president. (See picture at right.) The EAN is now the single organization that unites and supports all neurologists across Europe. Currently, 45 European national societies as well as 800 individual registered members constitute the assembly. The EAN represents 19,000 European neurologists.

The next regional organization, which is due to be formally created, is the Pan American Federation of Neurological Societies (PAFNS) representing the WFN Latin America region. The constitution and bylaws have been approved, and it is expected that the organization shall be incorporated during the next WFN Council of Delegates meeting on Sept. 11, 2014, in Boston. The forthcoming World Congress in Santiago, Chile, is the most appropriate place for PAFNS to do all of its future planning and activities across Latin America.

By the time this issue of World Neurology is published, the first World Brain Day will have happened in July 2014. (See program cover on this page.) This date was chosen as it is the date of the creation of the WFN in 1957. Prof. Mohamed Wasay, chairman of the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee, has worked tirelessly with the close collaboration of Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, secretary-treasurer general, to make this first day a success across the world. The emphasis is on celebrating the brain and its wonders and informing the public of our activities as well as inviting anyone who is interested in participating in them. The plan is to build on this first experience for the future and create new and novel activities in years to come.

Figure 2. World Brain Day logo.

These events can only happen as the WFN has a rich history, and many of our activities have their roots going back decades. Prof. Johan Aarli’s book, “The History of the World Federation of Neurology, The First 50 Years,” was published June 2014, and launched during the joint EFNS/ENS Congress in Istanbul. This is an excellent effort from our past president, and a review by Prof. François Boller is published in this issue of World Neurology.

Many of our committees met in Istanbul. The Publications and Communications Committee now incorporates the website, and Prof. Christopher Kennard, U.K., as chair of the committee, held its first meeting with many issues discussed regarding the future of the WFN contract with Elsevier. The website has changed dramatically, and the configuration is now more responsive and will be updated regularly.

The WFN finances continue to grow and allow the organization to increase its grants and activities. The Finance Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Eduard Auff, Austria, reviewed the 2013 finances including the WFN investments. The conclusion is that the WFN is in good financial shape and the trustees, on behalf of all member societies, want to register their gratitude to the Austrian society and the EFNS for partnering with the WFN in the Vienna Congress, which was a great scientific and financial success.

The grants applications have been received, and the reviewers will produce their final decisions by the end of the summer. Again, the WFN is partnering with speciality and regional organizations. This has proven to be an excellent way to have global involvement in neurology research. The administration and monitoring of the grants is an integral part of the WFN secretariat, and this is performed most successfully.

The recent meeting of members of the World Brain Alliance was most rewarding, and members of peer organizations have all agreed on close collaboration at various levels to promote our activities at the highest levels, especially at the WHO and the United Nations. The noncommunicable diseases project is crucial for brain health. The aim is to promote awareness and support for brain-related disorders with their massive consequences leading to death and disability.

A billboard for World Brain Day 2014 in Karachi, Pakistan. Submitted by Mohammad Wasay, Aka Khan University.

The WFN has to have an annual Council of Delegates (COD) meeting to fulfill the requirements of being a U.K.-based charity. This year’s meeting will be held during the joint ACTRIMS/ECTRIMS meeting in Boston. The COD will meet at 9 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2014. The delegates will have the opportunity to hear all about our activities during the year and elect a new trustee to replace Prof. Gustavo Roman whose second term comes to an end. Roman has been involved in various activities of the WFN for many years. His contributions have moved the WFN forward. He will continue his role as WFN director of the Latin America Initiative.

The WFN is moving full steam ahead with its program of global involvement, and I welcome all ideas from all the membership.

President’s Column: Neurology Cooperation Around the World

Since I wrote my last column, many events have occurred. The neurological world is moving so fast. The WFN remains at the forefront of developments of international activities and is leading in cooperation and promotion of neurology.

In January, the Sudanese Neurological Society held its ninth annual meeting in Khartoum. I had the privilege to be invited as well as the president of the Pan African Association of Neurological Sciences, Prof. Riadh Gouider, and the president of the Pan Arab Union of Neurological Societies Prof. Mohammad Tamawy. The attendance and interest was large and intense. There was an impressive eagerness to learn among young neurology trainees in all topics, and the hands-on workshops with bedside patients were fully subscribed. It is heartening to see that relatively small societies in Africa can provide so much high-quality teaching and care. Congratulations to Prof. Ammar El Tahir and Prof. Osheik Seidi for their efforts.

The 15th Cairo Neurology Congress was held in February and again the topics and attendance were impressive. Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, WFN Secretary-Treasurer General attended the meeting. Tamawy and Prof. Osama Abdul Ghani are to be congratulated for an excellent effort. I am sure that across the world many national societies have had their annual congresses and this only enriches the field. The WFN will be delighted to be involved in any way and to help promote and advertise these congresses.

Figure 1. (From left to right) Jonas Yeung, president of the Hong Kong Neurological Society; Man Mohan Mehndiratta, president of AOAN; Wai-Sin Chan, deputy director, Health Bureau, Macau Special Administrative Region; Chin Ion Lei, director, Health Bureau, Macau Special Administrative Region; Patrick Li, president of the Hong Kong College of Physicians; Ping Wing NG, co-chair of AOCN 2014; Leonard Li, co-chair of AOCN 2014; Lawrence Wong, secretary of AOAN and chair, Scientific Committee, AOCN 2014.

From national to regional congresses. The Asian Oceanian Congress of Neurology (AOCN) 2014 was organized by the Hong Kong Neurological Society and held in Macau. The congress was attended by members from all over Asia. The Hong Kong Society in collaboration with the Chinese Neurological Society was instrumental in producing an excellent program. Prof. William Carroll, WFN first vice president, attended the congress, and Man Mohan Mehedirata, AOAN president, was also present; the organization was excellent. Profs. Wing-Ping Ng and Laurence Wong are again to be congratulated. (See Figure 1.)

It seems that wherever in the world neurologists meet, there is always a sense of camaraderie and togetherness. It is also clear that topics vary in their scientific slant and their emphasis on training; but the eagerness to learn among neurologists in training is the same across the world. Teaching courses with live and videotaped cases attract a huge interest and create lively discussions.

The WFN grants round is now open, and we hope to receive as many applications as possible. The Grants Committee will start work after the closing date, and decisions will be conveyed to the applicants immediately. The plan is that the WFN will partner with other organizations to increase the amounts of the grants.

The Vienna World Congress was not only a scientific success but also a great financial success for the WFN. I, on behalf of the WFN, am most indebted to the Austrian Society for its hard work; and to the EFNS which suspended its annual congress for 2013 to allow just one major neurology congress to take place in Europe. The financial returns to all indeed exceeded expectations, which bodes well for the financial survival and strength of the WFN.

As this issue is being published, the amalgamation of the EFNS/ENS in the joint meeting in Istanbul will have taken place. This will create a most solid association. The WFN looks forward to the birth of the EuropeanAcademy of Neurology (EAN) and the elections of its officers so that our relations and close collaboration will continue as before with its two predecessors. The WFN’s strength and ability to reach its goals can only be achieved with the help of strong regional associations willing to collaborate to further the cause of advancing neurology globally. If one reads the EAN’s Purpose and Values, these goals are well laid out in Article 4 of its bylaws.

The WFN was born on the July 22, 1957, and during the Vienna World Congress, the Council of Delegates voted to commemorate that day every year as the World Brain Day. The task was given to Prof. Mohammad Wasay, chair of the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee. The details are in the April issue of World Neurology. By the time this is published, all delegates should have received further correspondence.

The WFN history is rich and diverse. Prof. Johan Aarli, WFN past president, is the author of The WFN History: The First 50 years, published by Oxford University Press. By the time this issue of World Neurology is distributed, the book will be launched during the joint EFNS/ENS meeting in Istanbul. The book is essential reading for all.

The WFN and other peer organizations have created the World Brain Alliance. See http://www.wfneurology.org. This was started during the previous presidency, and I had the honor of being present during its inception in 2010. The presidents of peer societies last met in Vienna and will meet again to formulate a structure and proceed as the force speaking for all those involved in brain health.

Other activities to report are the collaboration with the WHO. This has matured and is progressing well. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse is where neurology lies in the WHO structure. Shekhar Saxena and Tarun Dua are major contributors to the success of the collaboration. Moreover, Oleg Chestnov, WHO’s assistant director general, has agreed to talk to the attendees of the World Congress of Neurology in 2015 in Santiago, Chile. The WFN is a major funder to our WHO activities and will continue to be so. The ICD11 process is being finalized, and the process is on target. The WFN and the WHO are again collaborating in the production of the successful Neurology Atlas, second edition, as the first edition is now 10 years old. This process involves gathering information from Ministries of Health and all WFN member societies so that the data are verified and are useful tools for all.

The involvement of the WFN with the Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) declaration is vital for the future of neurology. There is now a clear perception that the WHO is moving from the preventative mode, which has fully dominated its activities, to the area of disease management and appreciation of the huge burden of neurological diseases in the world. This, when it evolves further, is a seismic shift in thinking, and the WFN should be ready when it happens. The close collaboration and financing of many projects through the WHO is crucial for neurology, and the WFN should be at the top table in the decision-making process.

Many tasks lie ahead for the WFN trustees. For examples, finding and hiring a PCO when the contract with the current PCO Kenes expires with the last contracted congress in WCN 2015 in Santiago; and finding a publisher for JNS when the contract with Elsevier expires at the end of 2014. These are important decisions, and the trustees will have to look at all of the options and come up with the most suitable ones for the WFN.

As delegates were informed, the Nominating Committee is soliciting nominations for the post of elected trustee. Prof. Gustavo Roman will finish his second term and is not eligible for re-election. His contributions to the WFN as a trustee and as chair of the Latin America Initiative are immense. I, on behalf of all trustees, committees and member societies, would like to thank him for a wonderful job, which was done with grace, elegance and professionalism.

The next Council of Delegates meeting will be held in September in Boston, Massachusetts. This will be during the joint meeting of the American and European MS societies, and we look forward to seeing as many society representatives there as possible.

Raad Shakir
President