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Commission Members
Martin Brodie, Chair
Peter Wolf
Yoshiaki Mayanagi, Chair (or deputy)
of each Regional Commission
Aims
- To help develop the philosophy, structure and function of
the Regional Commissions of the International League Against
Epilepsy (ILAE)
- To help link the work of the Regional Commissions with that
of the Executive Committee of the ILAE and vice versa
Progress continues in setting up and developing the six regional
commissions of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
The goal is to bring each to a similar stage of development and,
thereafter,
stimulate fruitful interaction among them. This will take a number
of years to complete. Given that each
chairman already provides a detailed report of his organisation’s
activities, I will confine myself to a brief overview of progress
in each region.
European Affairs
(Chair: Svein Johannessen)
This commission continued to work well and be imaginative in developing
its programme. The 6th European Congress on Epileptology took place
in Vienna from 30 May until 3 June 2004. More than 3,000 delegates
took part in an excellent scientific programme. The next congress
is scheduled for Helsinki, Finland in 2006. This commission continues
to focus particularly on improving education and clinical services
in Central and Eastern Europe.
Asian and Oceanian Affairs
(Chair: Chong Tin Tan)
This commission continues to develop satisfactorily with a particularly
strong educational agenda. This has culminated in the setting up
of the Asian Epilepsy Academy. Arrangements are well developed
for the 5th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress in Bangkok 28-31
August 2004.
Latin American Affairs
(Chair: Juvenal Gutierrez Moctezuma)
Development of this regional agenda is slowly progressing. Members
of the commission are starting to cooperate in identifying their
priorities. The 3rd Latin American Congress was held successfully
in Mexico City 2-5 July 2004. Much discussion took place regarding
the specific problems of the region and how best to coordinate
the educational agenda. This will lead toward greater focus on
young scientists and clinicians that will culminate in an innovative
programme for the 4th regional congress in Guatamala City in 2006.
Eastern Mediterranean Affairs
(Chair: Basim Yaqub)
This regional agenda was kick started at the inaugural meeting
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 15 January 2004. A structure and constitution
were agreed upon and a number of educational courses arranged for
later this year. Egypt will host the CEMA Symposium in 2006. The
concept of a regional epilepsy academy also was embraced in Jeddah.
North American Commission
(Chair: Jeffrey Noebels)
There continues to be some difficulty in identifying an appropriate
agenda parallel to that of the American Epilepsy Society.
African Affairs
Some of the problems in setting up the African Commission have
been identified, but progress is slow towards identifying a workable
structure. The president will appoint a group of individuals to
form this commission.
Overall, there is good progress in pursuing the regionalisation
of the 92 ILAE chapters.
Helping colleagues in different parts of the world develop their
individual regional agendas remains the best way of coordinating
a truly global
epilepsy programme. Some regions will need substantial financial
support, while others will
generate sufficient funds for their immediate needs via successful
biannual congresses. Coordination of these efforts should take
place once all the
regional structures have been established.
Regions
| Commission |
Chair |
| European |
Svein Johannessen (Norway) |
| Asian/Oceanian |
Chong Tin Tan (Malaysia) |
| Latin American |
Juvenal Gutierrez Moctezuma (Mexico) |
| North American |
Jeffrey Noebels (USA) |
| Eastern Mediterranean |
Basim Yaqub (Saudi Arabia) |
| African |
Not yet identified |
Martin Brodie has been appointed ex-officio member of all Regional
Commissions.
Remit
Regional Commissions will consist of representatives elected by
local Chapters together with a chairman and secretary appointed
by the president of the ILAE. Chapters can belong to only one region.
Regional Commissions can expect to meet 1 to 3 times a year and
must submit annual reports and
budgets to the Executive Committee of the ILAE.
Regional Councils can be set up to include
members from all local Chapters. Councils are expected to meet
once per year.
Regional Commissions should aim to develop,
stimulate and coordinate an epileptology agenda appropriate to
their part of the world.
Regional Commissions should promote the activities of local Chapters,
encourage similar policies and administrative structures among
local Chapters, and facilitate their involvement within the global
ILAE agenda.
Regional Commissions should coordinate local educational activities
via the formation of a regional epilepsy academy.
Regional Commissions should run their congresses under the auspices
of the ILAE/IBE organisation. Similar guidelines should govern
all regional
international congresses.
Regional Commissions should review epilepsy services and the size
of the treatment gap in
each country and aim to improve the former and reduce the latter.
Regional Commissions should develop a Declaration on Epilepsy
with the aim of stimulating local medico-political initiatives
and improving patient care.
The Task Force will assist Regional Commissions
in defining their constitution, which should be
concordant with ILAE structures, regulations and programmes.
The Task Force will help broker two-way communication between
Regional Commissions and the Executive Committee of the ILAE dealing,
in
particular, with local problems or controversies.
The Task Force will help identify and develop
projects common to all regions.
Martin Brodie
Chair
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