by Dafin-Fior Muresanu
Dear colleagues and friends,
I am writing to convey my very best wishes and sincere thanks to all, as we have wrapped up an eventful year and have shifted our momentum to the challenges that lie ahead: 2019. The past 12 months have been marked by noteworthy achievement and change. As we all reflect on the past year, I think that we have many reasons to look forward with enthusiasm toward what has yet to come.
The core priority of the Communication Committee of the European Academy of Neurology for the immediate and near future is to strengthen the relationship and collaboration with existing partners and members and to establish links with other European and international organizations.
EAN is looking to reinforce its bonds with national neurological societies in particular, as well as with honorary members, fellows, researchers, residents and corresponding institutions or individuals. Our affiliates represent the very foundation upon which the Academy is built. Therefore, we believe that very close collaboration and spirited teamwork is needed to achieve and surpass our objectives.
Moreover, as many may already be aware, a staple event type within the national congresses is EAN Day. During these special sessions, top European experts have the opportunity to meet, network and engage in discussions with local specialists. The aim is to support the scientific and educational program of conferences, to present the EAN organizational structure, activities, events and opportunities. Last but not least, we hope to foster an exchange of ideas that holds the potential to develop new and exciting collaborations.
The actions mentioned above represent excellent opportunities to promote national neurological societies and EAN events. Building on interest from national neurological societies, a dedicated EAN officer may be appointed by the EAN President to attend important local-level events.
Thirdly, a key aspect in the collaboration between EAN and its affiliates is the continued and improved functioning of EAN Pages, our comprehensive news and communication platform. This particular component of our online presence is dedicated to our members, partners, and the entire scientific network. In other words, EAN Pages is our connection with our community. We wholeheartedly support and encourage all of our members, be them individuals or organizations, to actively contribute, engage and benefit from this extraordinary tool for communication.
National neurological societies have unique opportunities to become visible and disseminate their activity through EAN Pages dedicated features such as Country of the Month or News. With Country of the Month, we offer the societies the chance to promote their national culture, traditions, landmarks and historic places, along with significant medical achievements, milestones or breakthroughs that would normally receive less visibility. In the News section for member societies, we strive to focus on communicating only the most relevant information on regional or local events, in a succinct and efficient manner.
Finally, we believe that in order to strengthen the Academy’s position as the Home of Neurology, the Communication Committee must actively continue to pursue establishing contacts with major sub-specialties to Neurology. These, or most of these, will have links to one of the 31 Scientific Panels of the EAN. First contacts with the President of the sub-specialty society often will take the form of an interview in which the question on interest in working together is embedded. Once the interview is published in the EAN Pages, active steps towards the Memorandum of Understanding are taken.
Our organization, together with all who are part of it, will continue to make us proud in 2019. We will maintain our momentum and actively work to shape our future as one of the world’s elite medical communities. Our Committee is determined to maintain active engagement with international societies that cover expert or broad topics of interest for EAN, such as AAN, WFN, AFAN, PAUNS, and WHO.
Warm thanks for being part of EAN and for helping to make the past year memorable. I invite you to join us in anticipating what we will accomplish together in the year to come.
With very best wishes,
Professor Dafin-Fior Muresanu
Chair, EAN Communication Committee
Professor Muresanu is chair of the EAN Communication Committee and Chairman of the Neurosciences Department and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca.
