Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide and has broad implications for those with the disorder and their families. It is the most common chronic neurological disorder globally. People living with epilepsy are affected by stigma which incurs large, though relatively hidden, psychosocial costs, adversely affecting the social and mental health of children and adults alike.

The global public health community united in 2015 around a milestone World Health Organization’s resolution encouraging countries to prioritize epilepsy at national levels, including promoting awareness, eliminating stigma of the disease, expanding research capacity, improving monitoring and surveillance, and expanding access to care.

Three years on, in 2018, the global health community will discuss progress on the resolution at the 71st World Health Assembly.

Join a group of expert voices from the World Health Organization, the Epilepsy medical and patient communities, national governments and private sector for an in-depth lively discussion about the future of global epilepsy policy.

This discussion will seek to address how public health policy must shift to help people living with epilepsy achieve a better quality of life. It will highlight global accomplishments and remaining challenges associated with the resolution on epilepsy, and to begin the dialogue for the future global sustainability of the resolution and its objectives.

The convening event will also serve as a platform to launch a call to action for public and private engagement to join the fight against epilepsy through a sustained commitment towards the Resolution on Epilepsy.

Speakers

• Prof Martin Brodie, President, International Bureau for Epilepsy, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Glasgow
• Prof Emilio Perucca, Past President, International League Against Epilepsy
• Ms. Mary Secco, Secretary-General, International Bureau for Epilepsy
• Prof Alla Guekht, Vice-President, International League Against Epilepsy, Director, Moscow Research, and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry
• Prof Shichuo Li, Founder, China Association Against Epilepsy, Former Assistant Director-General, Special Advisor to DG, WHO Representative in South Pacific, World Health Organization
• Dr. Shekhar Saxena, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization
• Prof Marco Medina, Professor of Neurology & Neuroscience, Regional Director - Latin America, World Federation of Neurology
• Dr. Jacob Mugumbate, Vice President, Africa Region, International Bureau for Epilepsy
• Dr. Francesca Sofia, Chief Scientific Officer, Italian Epilepsy Federation
• Prof Ding Ding, Associate Professor, and neuro-epidemiologist, Institute of Neurology, Fudan University of Shanghai

• Moderates: Ms. Catherine Fiankan-Bokonga, International Correspondent, Vice-President, Swiss Press Club