Interviews

Elena Moro (EM): As Programme Committee Chair, can you share you vision about the role of the EAN within the community of European Neurologists? Paul Boon (PB): I believe EAN has a unique mission to provide a platform for neurology in Europe, at a large scale and high level of professionality. Europe has a strong tradition of clinical discoveries, scientific breakthroughs and academic teaching in the field of neurology.

David Vodušek (DV): As President of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and active neuro-oncologist you are confronted with the full panorama of neurological sciences. How will you bridge the very specific and the very broad? Terrence Cascino (TC): The Academy exists because of the enormous intellect among the hundreds of volunteer neurologists who help to provide the unparalleled programs, products, and services to our more than 28,000 members around the world. These volunteers represent some of the best and brightest neurologists and are knowledgeable on the hundreds of neurologic diseases encountered in clinical practice by our members.

"Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness", Thomas Skordas. Elena Moro (EM): Can you briefly illustrate to the Neuropenews readers what are the FET – Future and Emerging Technologies – actions and which place do they take within the EC’s H2020 programme? Thomas Skordas (TS): FET – Future and Emerging Technologies – is part of the "Excellent Science" pillar of Horizon 2020. The other components of this pillar are the "European Research Council (ERC)", the "Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions" and the "Research infrastructures" actions. Altogether, these four components aim to reinforce, widen and extend the excellence of the Union's science base and ensure a supply of world-class research and talent pursuing to secure Europe's long term competitiveness and well-being.

Elena Moro (EM): We would like to join the EFNA Board in congratulating you with your election as the President of EFNA. We look forward at collaborating with you! Could you share with us your plans for the EFNA? Ann Little (AL): In recent years, EFNA has worked with great dedication on establishing a new strategic direction focussed on the four pillars of Advocacy, Awareness, Empowerment and Engagement. This is laid out in our Strategic Plan 2015-2020 document ‘Stronger Connected’.

Elena Moro (EM):  Can you briefly introduce the Alliance for Biomedical Research in Europe (BioMed Alliance) to the Neuropenews readers? Karin Sipido (KS): The Alliance for Biomedical Research in Europe (BioMed Alliance) is a unique initiative representing 21 leading European biomedical societies that together include more than 400,000 researchers and health professionals across Europe.

Elena Moro (EM): The EAN Quality Assurance Sub-Committee works closely together with the EAN Education Committee. Can you briefly describe the main reasons why the EAN has gathered this sub-committee? Jan Kuks (JK): In fact, the EAN Quality Assurance sub-Committee is part of the EAN Education Committee (EC). We are working together with the main board of the EC and other EC-subcommittees (such as the Teaching Course sub-Committee), to set up an optimal programme for teaching and education, offered to the European neurological community by the EAN.

Elena Moro (EM): We congratulate you on your appointment as new Chair of the MDS-European Section. Which role do you expect the MDS-European Section to cover within the EAN and the European neurology world? How do you foresee the cooperation between the MDS-ES and the EAN? Which main joint educational initiatives would you particularly promote and why? Joaquim Ferreira (JF): First I would like to start by congratulating the EAN and its Board for the success of the first congress in Berlin. The founding of the EAN is a major achievement for the world of neurology and will have positive implications that will reach beyond European borders. I would also like to extend my compliments to all stakeholders who had the vision and the generosity to contribute to this major cause.

Elena Moro (EM): As Chair of the Education Committee, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European neurologists? Hannah Cock (HC): I see my role as leading on the Educational Strategy of the EAN, and overseeing the delivery of educational activities to support this, in parallel with ensuring robust quality assurance mechanisms are in place. Education underpins much of the EAN vision, and is also a substantial component of the annual budget so this is a role I take very seriously, working closely with my colleagues on the board and of course the committee and subcommittees.

Elena Moro (EM): We are very grateful for all the work you did for the EAN news blog “Neuropenews”. It has become the most important tool of communication for our society. What is your message to us? Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): It is not good to dwell in the past as none of us want to be labelled as “old”. I think that it is now the right time to turn the page and open a new chapter for Neuropenews. I like to imagine Neuropenews like a house that is going to be remodelled. I am happy to have contributed to have built the foundation of this house and to see its further development. I am very pleased to see that the leadership of the EAN news blog is now in your capable hands.

As in the previous year, Neuropenews asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, speakers etc. which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Berlin, June 2015. Please find their answers below! Benedikt Schoser, speaker at Symposium 3 “Modern… Continue Reading

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Treasurer of the EAN, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European neurologists? Marianne de Visser (MdV): The Board is unanimous about the need to spend most of EAN’s income on educational activities. In the December issue of Neuropenews, President Deuschl expressed his concern about the increasing demand of neurologists and thus we need not only accommodate residents and young neurologists but also medical students should feel attracted to neurology.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): Ethical standards are an important aspect of H2020. How did the EC decide on these standards and who took part in their definition? Isidoros Karatzas (IK): The ethics standards are based on, for example, the principles of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention of Human rights (Article 19, Horizon 2020 regulation). Also on the relevant principles that flow from specific European and National legislation such as data protection and privacy, clinical trials etc. The Sector also follows and participates in the dialogue with the responsible Member States structures, such as the national Bioethics Committees, the network of Research Ethics Committees etc.

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As Chair of the Teaching Course Sub-Committee of the EAN, can you illustrate the role you give to EAN within the community of European neurologists? Theodor Landis (TL): EAN, the fusion of the two major European neurological societies, should become the home for neurology and neurology related specialities. It should combine the strongholds and particularities of both previous societies in a harmonious way and as such that it appeals to the broad majority of neurologists all over Europe. 

Gian Luigi Lenzi (GLL): As President of the EHF, can you illustrate the role you would like EAN to cover within the world of European Neurology? Dimos-Dimitrios Mitsikostas (DDM): The European Headache Federation represents all national Headache Societies in Europe and neighbouring nations. Since its foundation in 1992, EHF has sought to improve the life of those affected by headache in this territory. Headache is by far the commonest neurological symptom and primary headache disorders are the most frequent neurological conditions affecting million Europeans.

As in the previous year, Neuropenews asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, speakers, … which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Berlin, June 2015. Please find their answers below …