Overview of WFN Organization
The WFN's mission is to foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide.
The World Federation of Neurology was formed in Brussels in 1957, as an association of neurological member societies. Today the WFN represents 125 professional societies in all regions of the world, and each society numbers its own individual member neurologists with us. The delegates, one from each member society, elect the trustees and officers during the annual Council of Delegates meeting.
The mission of the WFN, as a UK registered charity, is to foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide, a goal we seek to achieve by promoting global neurological education and training, with the emphasis placed firmly on under-resourced parts of the world.
The WFN holds a biennial World Congress of Neurology (WCN), which rotate throughout the regions (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe) of the world. The congress consists of scientific sessions, teaching courses as well as structural and business meetings. The next congress will be held in Montreal (2023).
Education, improvement of neurologic sciences and knowledge are the main aims of the WFN. For this reason several programs such as Junior travelling grants, departmental visits, international courses, WFN teaching centers, grants to fund local projects, and a joint CME program with the American Academy of Neurology are currently provided.
The WFN holds an annual World Brain Day commencing on the anniversary of the foundation of the WFN, July 22nd. Each year a specific neurological disease grouping is selected usually in partnership with a member of the Global Neurology Alliance (see below) and a specific programme is distributed world-wide to raise awareness and support for those afflicted by and those caring for that disease. This year, the topic is Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind.
The American Academy of Neurology, along with its publisher, Wolters Kluwer, generously donate print issues of and online access to Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology for neurology education in countries with limited resources. Through this collaboration, global neurology teams can learn about the latest treatments and techniques and enhance the management of patients with neurologic disease. More than 40 countries currently participate in this collaboration, with eligibility based on country income.
The WFN encourages the empowerment of local and regional activities through cooperation with the six regional Neurological associations: the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), the Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology (AOAN), the Pan American Federation of Neurological Societies (PAFNS), the Pan Arab Union of Neurological Societies (PAUNS) and the African Academy of Neurology (AFAN).
Brain health is the main goal of all the WFN activities and in order to achieve this, the WFN coordinates with the Global Neurology Alliance (GNA). The GNA includes other like global organisations such as the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), the World Federation of NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR), the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) and the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO). The development of neurology has created several global specialist societies, such as the World Stroke Organisation (WSO), the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), MS International Federation (MSIF), Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), the International Headache Society (IHS), and the Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) among others. Several of the WFN Specialty Groups also join with the GNA. Working together is crucial to achieve our shared intertwined goals. The WFN is committed to cooperating with them all, including the WHO.
The WFN has led in the development of the new WHO ICD 11 ⧉ and actively contributed to the second edition of the WHO Neurology Atlas ⧉. The WFN is an active partner in the WHO campaign to control and manage the neurological aspects of NCD through close collaboration with the WHO.
The WFN has several committees which are dedicated to assisting the WFN with specific tasks such as education, e-learning, membership, publications, standards and evaluations and finance and congress organisation. These committees are created from members from all parts of the world and they provide crucial help to the WFN in order to serve its needs and activities.
The WFN has a website (www.wfneurology.org), social media (Facebook ⧉, Twitter ⧉) an electronic magazine World Neurology (available on the website), and two scientific journals; the Journal of the Neurological Sciences and eNeurological Sci.
The WFN is eager to promote neurology worldwide, and to improve prevention, diagnosis and management of neurological disorders for patients. Please look out for WFN activities on the website and in the social media.
Download WFN Brochure WFN At a Glance
The WFN is registered in England as a company limited by guarantee (No. 3502244), Registered Charity No. 1068673
See also
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