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Having a baby is an exciting time, full of wonderment, anticipation and joy. But for women with epilepsy, becoming pregnant and having a baby is a little more complicated. For this reason, the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) has developed a new website - womenandepilepsy.org - as part of a wider project on this topic.A campaign informed by real-world needsTo help us identify which information women with epilepsy want and where there are information gaps, we surveyed almost 900 women across Europe. Their personal insights have been vital in developing the website to empower women with epilepsy to talk with their medical care providers and get the medical support and advice they need.Women have to contend with additional issues, but information is power, so we're providing all the information a women with epilepsy will need to know about pregnancy, hormones, sex and more.We hope to expand this critical campaign to other global regions of the world.Visit the WomenAndEpilepsy.org website here.Working group members:Professor Gus Baker (Chair), Mrs Ann Little (Co-chair), Mrs Tea Bobinac-Krivacic, Prof Martin Brodie, Mrs Elizabeth Cunningham, Ms Erin Davies, Prof Joanna Jedrzejczak, Mrs Barbora Jones, Dr Lieven Lagae, Ms Lorraine Lally, Prof Janet Mifsud, Dr Barbara Mostacci, Dr Natela [...]

Dear Friends, I am pleased to announce that IBE has appointed Donna Walsh as Incoming IBE CEO who will take over from our Executive Director, Ann Little, who is retiring on 31st December 2021. Donna joins IBE from the European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA), where she has worked as Executive Director since 2012. At EFNA, Donna was responsible for overseeing the development of its new strategic direction, and also led in the creation and implementation of its annual workplan, projects and activities. This included keynote initiatives such as the OneNeurology Partnership, the MEP Interest Group on Brain, Mind and Pain and the Training Initiatives for Neurology Advocates. Donna has also been active in representing EFNA and the neurology patient community externally, including as a member of the European Affairs Sub-Committee at the European Academy of Neurology, a Board Member of the European Brain Council and a member of the WHO’s NeuroCovid Global Forum. She is also regularly invited, as a patient leader, to join initiatives of the pharmaceutical industry – such as the Lundbeck Institute Neuroscience Faculty, the Roche Personalised Healthcare Council and the Steering Committee of the EFPIA Patient Think-Tank. Donna has also moderated and chaired many events for [...]

It is with a mixture of gratitude and sadness that we announce the departure of our Executive Director, Ann Little.  Ann will step down from her role at IBE on December 31st, following 25 years of service. Over those 25 years Ann has been central to IBE's activities and instrumental to the organisation's growth. Her contribution has been immeasurable and she leaves a lasting legacy. We hope you will join us in extending our thanks to Ann and in wishing her every happiness in her upcoming retirement.   It’s difficult to believe that I am in my 25th year at IBE, having joined in 1997. We all know the saying that ‘if you enjoy what you are doing, you will never work a day in your life’. And this is true for my time at IBE, which now draws to a close as I begin my retirement. Over the course of those 25 years, I have been honoured to work with five boards, led by dedicated Presidents, whose efforts have seen the introduction of a wide range of initiatives, each one developed to address IBE’s mission to improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy and their care providers. As [...]

IBE Presidents past and present discuss their work and goals In July 2021, IBE's Past President Martin Brodie and President Francesca Sofia, took part in an interview with the ILAE. Watch the complete interview video above to hear what led Martin and Francesca to their roles, discussion of their achievements, hopes for the future of epilepsy advocacy and views on collaboration between IBE and the ILAE. Alternatively you can visit the 'President to President' playlist on our YouTube Channel to watch individual segments from the interview.  

If you missed IBE Day at the 34th International Epilepsy Congress on Septmeber 1st don't worry- you can catch up with each of the day's sessions below! Making Epilepsy a National Health Priority – intersectoral collaboration Chairs: Mary Secco, IBE Secretary General and Action Amos, IBE Vice President Africa Empowering Youth to Raise their Voices Chair: Lorraine Lally (Ireland), co-chair of the IBE Youth Team Psychologic treatment and self-management of epilepsy Chair: Gus Baker (UK)

Due to the retirement of its Executive Director in December 2021, IBE invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to be considered for the position of incoming Executive Director. The role involves the provision of overall guidance and support to the leadership of IBE and the provision of direction and management of all aspects of administration, growth and development of IBE, with specific responsibility for implementing the IBE strategic plan and policies. Candidates will be required to have a university level qualification, a minimum of eight years’ experience in a similar role in an international organisation, and be fluent in both written and spoken English. Knowledge of a second widely-spoken language would be an advantage. Salary will be commiserate with qualification and experience. Interested candidates are asked to submit their CV before a deadline of 30th August 2021. A short-list of candidates will then be invited for interview. IBE is an equal opportunities employer. Submit your application here