2021 Elections: Vice President Candidate Statement

Prof. Riadh Gouider

I trained at the" Charles Nicolle” Hospital in Tunis, and in "la Pitié Salpêtrière” Hospital in Paris. This mixture of learning and training encouraged me to explore global neurology.

My journey with the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) began in 1993 during the 15th World Congress of Neurology (WCN) in Vancouver and since then my enthusiasm and commitment to WFN has never wavered. Being the national delegate of the Tunisian Society of Neurology for almost a decade (2005-2015), showed me how important a delegate can be as a crucial link between his National society and the international neurology community.

Appointed as a Regional Director for Pan-Arab Region from 2008-2010 and Regional Director Africa from 2012-2015, taught me the crucial role of the six regions in WFN strategy and actions especially when the neurology resources are scarce.

To support the WFN in its mission to promote global neurological education and training, I participated in the accreditation of three teaching centers (Rabat, Dakar and Cairo).

Lately, I had the honour to be designated as the Convenor of the first WFN/AFAN e-Learning Day which took place in October 2020, the second will be held in November 2021.

My involvement in several committees of WFN: as a Co-chair of the e-Learning Task Force, the Education Committee, the Specialty Groups and the e-Communication Committee, provided me with invaluable insight those committees’ function, the development of their activities and their position within WFN.

The most important influence was my election for two terms as an elected trustee from 2014 to 2020. This position filled me with a strong sense of pride and gave me the chance to significantly contribute to the challenges the WFN has faced and the opportunities to participate in the activities of the WCN meetings.

I have had the honour of serving the WFN through a variety of roles. I feel that I am experienced and honoured to stand for the role of First Vice President. If elected, I pledge to support the mission of the WFN to contribute to the advancement of teaching and practice of neurology throughout the world. I will focus on:

• Provision of access to quality training programs and teaching materials to neurologists, trainees and health care professionals from all over the world through the e-learning capabilities.
• Creation of more teaching centers all over the world especially Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America, parts of Eastern Europe, 3 providing equal educational opportunities in regions with fewer neurologists.
• Strengthening relation among south and north countries and be an active contributor to the dissemination of information and scientific progress.
• To further empower and strengthen the links of communications between WFN and regional organisations.
• Enhance the cooperation of WFN with international organisations such as the WHO and neurological NGOs.

My fellow delegates, I am asking for your vote to be elected as First Vice President. Regardless the results of the election, I promise to continue working for the WFN with the same enthusiasm and commitment.