By Raad Shakir
Raad Shakir
The first meeting of WFN trustees and regional directors was held Jan. 25-27 in London. The meeting was called for consultation and participation of all concerned in the formulation of policy and nominations for all WFN committees. This stems from the principle of global involvement through regional empowerment, which will drive WFN policy over the next four years. The second principle is that all stakeholders should formulate policy in the first year of office and implement that policy in the ensuing three years.
The trustees and the six regional directors went through all activities making decisions on various WFN affairs for the next four years. (See photo.) All appointments to WFN committees came to an end Dec. 13, 2013. It was important that regional directors should suggest names for consideration; all trustees and directors did this. The duties and charges of all committees were circulated beforehand to be clear on the roles of committee chairs and members.
The size of committees was discussed. Although it could be desirable to have large committees for the sake of inclusiveness, it was agreed that a leaner structure will achieve more and work smoothly in a tightly knit fashion. The second principle was to have regional representation in all committees. This ensures that the regions are better informed and their input is made at all levels.
(From left to right) Professor Josep Valls-Solé (European Neurological Society); Professor Jacques De Reuck (European Federation of Neurological Societies); Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Grisold (WFN Secretary-Treasurer General); Timothy Pedley (President, American Academy of Neurology and WFN North American Regional Director); Professor Mohamed El-Tamawy (WFN Pan-Arab Regional Director); Raad Shakir (WFN President); Riadh Gouider (WFN Pan-African Regional Director); Professor Man Mohan Mehndiratta (WFN Asian-Oceanian Regional Director); Professor William M. Carroll (WFN Vice President); Gustavo C. Roman (WFN Elected Trustee); Keith Newton (WFN Executive Director); Professor Amadou Gallo Diop (WFN Elected Trustee); and Professor Marco Tulio Medina (WFN Latin American Regional Director).
The list of all committees is provided on page 8 of this issue of World Neurology. The committees will meet for the first time in 2014. Facilities for secretarial support and committee members’ interactions was decided, and the necessary support shall be provided.
The major issue of empowering the regions was discussed. This can take many forms of decentralization. Regions vary in their level of structure and activities. Some need much more support to form their own administrative and financial framework, while others are highly advanced and can help other regions in moving ahead. The WFN is the catalyst for interregional collaboration.
Regional directors are elected and have their portfolios; it is only correct that they should advise the WFN on the needs and policy in their parts of the world. A Regional Directors Committee has therefore been created. The deliberations and decisions will not only be channeled to the WFN but it is planned that this will be the forum of region-to-region collaboration and interaction. It is likely that there will be more input into the needs of some regions from the experience and activity of another.
Activities such as traveling fellowships, regional symposia, departmental visits, short periods of training, research grants and other educational activities can be achieved with this form of empowerment and interaction. The well established and highly advanced regions have the ability to spread their knowledge and expertise worldwide. This is probably more achievable in a direct one-to-one manner rather than through a central administration
I am delighted to report that a decision was made to allocate 30 percent of our annual budget for grants. The WFN has become an international funder for projects from many parts of the world. We also are grateful for the collaboration with neurology speciality organizations, including WSO, ILAE and MDS for sharing the cost of some of the grants. This only cements the close relationship with these organizations. The WFN total grants for 2013 were $413,000. The trustees decided that for 2014 a more structured system would be introduced. The application process is now open, and awards will be made in this summer.
Training African neurologists in Africa has been on the boil for six years since a report to the then-President Johan Aarli was made by the WFN Special Representative Ragnar Stien (Oslo). Two centers were visited then, and the first — Rabat, Morocco — was finally accredited by a special visit in September 2013. The Rabat center will start receiving its first African trainee in September 2014. The funding for this project, crucial for the future of African neurology, is set aside and is part of the WFN budget.
The second center in the Stien report is at the University of Cairo. This center will cater to English-speaking trainees, and a Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed in 2012. A visit by Secretary General Wolfgang Grisold and me in February 2014 will be followed by the formal accreditation visit soon.
The union of the two European neurological associations — European Federation of Neurological Societies and European Neurological Society — delights the WFN. The creation of the EuropeanAcademy of Neurology is a most welcome event in international neurology.
The WFN was delighted to welcome Professor Jacques De Reuck representing EFNS and Professor Josep Valls-Solé representing the ENS to the London meeting. We look forward to the formal declaration of the birth of EAN in Istanbul during the joint meeting of EFNS/ENS in June 2014.
Two regions are holding their biennial meetings in the early part of 2014. The Asian and Oceanian Association of Neurology (AOAN) held its meeting in March and the Pan African Association of Neurosciences in April. Both meetings are happening at crucial times for both organizations to consolidate the excellent progress the first has made and to gather support to move ahead in the case of the second.
Your WFN is planning to move forward with all of its activities and needs your support and advice. All ideas, which promote our goals and objectives, are welcome.
