By Wolfgang Grisold, WFN president, and Laura Druce, WFN CEO
- The president of the WFN (2026-2029)
- The first vice president of the WFN (2026-2029)
- An elected WFN Trustee (2025-2027)
The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) encourages all member societies to suggest suitable candidates for the positions of WFN president, first vice president, and elected trustee. Engagement for the WFN and neurology in a global context are expected. Availability, readiness for communication, and experience with international and global societies are required. English is the communication language of the WFN.
The President of the WFN
The term of the current president, Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, will end on Dec. 31, 2025. The office of the newly elected president will begin on Jan. 1, 2026.
The WFN president is supported by the Board of Trustees and the London WFN office structures. The president also has support from the committees and advisors on specific topics. This individual is expected to continue the structure and long-term activities of the WFN — in particular education and global activities — and add their own vision for the development of neurology worldwide.
The term for the position of president is four years. The newly elected president will also be expected to stay for one additional year to serve as an advisor to the past president on the board after the term ends.
At the last COD meeting, the delegates approved the creation of a president-elect position, to begin one year before the conclusion of the president’s 4-year term. The president-elect will be an advisor to the board. The election of the WFN first president-elect will take place in 2028.
Persons applying for the position of the president should have experience with WFN procedures and its global work and should have a global outlook. During the time served as president, no conflict of interest with other societies is expected.
WFN First Vice President
The term of the current first vice president, Prof. Guy Rouleau, will end on Dec. 31, 2025. The office of the new first vice president will begin on Jan. 1, 2026.
The first vice president is one of the four WFN officers. The first vice president is an important part of, and advisor to, the board. This individual is involved in all major decisions. Traditionally, the vice president is involved in the development of the WFN Congresses, the new Digital Neurology Update (WNU) activity, the educational portion of the World Congress of Neurology, and the WFN educational days.
The first vice president is also part ex officio in the Permanent Congress Committee (PCC), which is a permanent WFN committee to decide on future congresses and developments.
An Elected WFN Trustee
The term of elected WFN trustee, Prof. Chandrashekhar Meshram (India), ends immediately following the COD meeting and is eligible for re-election.
Elected trustees are members of the WFN trustee board and have voting rights for all decisions. Equally, co-opted trustees have the same rights.
Each trustee is a trustee under U.K. charity law and has full responsibility for the WFN. All trustees have special tasks and a personal portfolio. They are involved in short and long-term decisions and also support the WFN in their region. The present trustee participates in many activities such as communication, regional representation, and website activities, among others.
General Nomination and Election Information
All applications must be sent electronically.
Email to: elections@wfneurology.org
Nominees can only apply for one position.
A nominee must:
- Be a member of an eligible WFN member society in good standing
- Have a national and international reputation
- Have made contributions to regional and global neurology
- Be committed to the WFN
- Have no conflict of interest with other societies
The Nominating Committee will consider all applicants for their suitability for the positions. Gender and geography are considered. The current elected trustees are from three of the six WFN regions. The WFN expects to have participation from as many regions as possible.
A WFN Member Society must submit the name(s) of the candidate(s), together with a signed statement by the candidate confirming their willingness to stand for election. Candidates must also provide a brief curriculum vitae (CV) no longer than a single typewritten page and letter of support from the Member Society. The deadline for sumbissions is Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.
The recommendations of the Nominating Committee, along with a CV and the individual plans of the applicants, will be published in World Neurology and on the WFN website.
Nominations made after this deadline are possible. However, in addition to the criteria above, candidates with late applications must also be supported with signatures from a minimum of five WFN Member Society Delegates. An explanation for the late application is required. All documents must be received by the London office 30 days prior to the start of electronic voting. The deadline for additional nominations is 30 days prior to the start of electronic voting. Visit the WFN website for more information.
Send the nomination documents to the WFN London Secretariat office at elections@wfneurology.org. That office will scrutinize the applications for completeness and forward them to the Nomination Committee for further elaboration. All applications are handled confidentially.
The voting will be electronic, and the results of the vote will be published by the current president Oct. 12-15, 2025, at the next COD meeting in Seoul, South Korea.
