The World Federation of Neurology announces positions up for election by the Council of Delegates in 2026

The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) is pleased to announce positions up for election by the Council of Delegates in 2026:

• Secretary General (2027–2030): A four-year term.
• Elected Trustee (2026–2029): A three-year term.

We invite all member societies to nominate suitable candidates. Nominees are expected to demonstrate active engagement with the WFN and a commitment to neurology in a global context. Requirements include availability, readiness for regular communication, and experience with international societies. Please note that English is the official language of the WFN.

Elected Trustee

The term of Prof. Mohammed Wasay will conclude immediately following the 2026 Council of Delegates (COD) meeting; he remains eligible for re-election.

Elected Trustees serve on the WFN Board of Trustees and hold full voting rights on all decisions. Co-opted Trustees hold these same rights. All Trustees are appointed and serve under UK Charity Law, meaning each is jointly and individually responsible for the WFN.

Trustees manage specific personal portfolios and are involved in both short-term operations and long-term strategic decisions. Current Trustees participate in a wide range of activities, including global communication, regional representation, and website development.

Secretary General

The Secretary General is a vital member of the WFN executive leadership team. Responsibilities include overseeing the WFN Secretariat and helping ensure compliance with UK Charity rules and regulations.

The position is currently held by Prof. Marianne de Visser, who was appointed by the Trustees as Acting Secretary General following the election of the previous Secretary General to the office of WFN President.

Application Guidelines

• Submission: All applications must be sent to elections@wfneurology.org.
• Eligibility: Nominees may apply for only one position. A nominee must be a member of an eligible WFN member society in good standing, and possess a strong national and international reputation having made contributions to regional and global neurology. Candidates should be committed to the WFN and have no conflicts of interest with other societies.
• Diversity: The Nominating Committee evaluates all applicants based on suitability, while also considering gender and geographical balance. As the WFN aims for representation across all six regions, participation from underrepresented regions is highly encouraged.
  
  

Required Documentation

WFN member societies must submit the following:

1. The name(s) of the candidate(s).
2. A signed statement from the candidate confirming their willingness to stand for election.
3. A brief Curriculum Vitae (one typewritten page).
4. A letter of support from the member society.

The submission deadline is Friday, 17 April 2026.

The recommendations of the Nominating Committee’s, jointly with a statement from the applicants, will be published in World Neurology and on the WFN website.

Late Nominations

Late nominations are possible after this deadline; In addition to the criteria above, late applications must include the supporting signatures of delegates from at least five (5) WFN Member Societies and a formal explanation for the delay.

All late nomination documents must be received by the London office by Friday, 28 August 2026 (30 days prior to the start of electronic voting). 

Voting and Results

Voting will be conducted electronically, and the results will be announced by the WFN President at the Council of Delegates meeting on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.