News

Election of the President of the International Executive Committee for the term 2021-2025 The ballot for this election will take place by post/email between 16th October and 30th November 2020. In advance of balloting, IBE chapters with voting rights are hereby invited to nominate a candidate to serve in the position of IBE President. If you wish to nominate a candidate to stand for election to this position, please complete the nomination form. All nominations must be received at the IBE Office no later than midnight (CET) on Sunday 4th October 2020. Nominations should be sent to the following address: Email: [email protected] or Mail: International Bureau for Epilepsy, Office 208, Nesta Business Centre, 4-5 Burton Hall Road, Sandyford, Dublin D18 A094, Ireland Guidance notes and procedural documents on the nomination and election of candidates are available below for your further information. You will also find below the role description for the position of President. Please note that the election of the Secretary General and Treasurer for the term 2021-2025 will begin in early December when nomination papers will be circulated. The term of the regional Vice Presidents, which began in 2019, will not finish until 2023. We would urge all Chapters [...]

IBE Topic Focused Global Teams – an Introduction IBE’s Strategic Plan recognises the importance of engaging people with epilepsy and their care providers in all our decision making. Involving these stakeholders in all our activities is vital if they are to become the motivators of tomorrow. The objective is to see an expanded IBE board emerge over the next decade whose membership consists of people with a wide range of knowledge, experience, expertise and skills. As a first step, a new series of working ‘Teams’ is being created, each one focusing on a specific issue related to epilepsy and we would like you to consider membership. - A Global Academy Team will work on an important new initiative to train people with epilepsy to become international advocates and spokespersons. They will need to develop the necessary knowledge to be confident in interacting with public institutions, the scientific community and industry. Members of the Team will provide: input of people affected by epilepsy on module content; support with translation as necessary; promotion of the academy at local, national and international levels. - A Global Action Team will work on encouraging the implementation of the World Health Assembly Resolution on Epilepsy at national [...]

It is with great sadness that IBE announces the death of its esteemed Treasurer, Anthony Mulenga Zimba. A victim of Covid-19, Anthony passed away in hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, on the morning of Sunday 9th August. Anthony had a long history of service to IBE, having served on the African Regional Committee from 2005 to 2009 and on its International Executive Committee for the last 11 years, firstly as Vice President for the African Region from 2009 to 2017 and as Treasurer from 2017 until his passing. During this time, he worked tirelessly on behalf of people with epilepsy and those who care for them. His particular focus was on his beloved Africa and, as a result of his efforts, many IBE chapters in the region were supported through the IBE Promising Strategies Program in a range of projects aimed at improving their quality of life through training, advocacy and employment opportunities. He was also a member of the organising committee of the African Regional Epilepsy Congresses that took place in Nairobi, Cape Town, Dakar and Entebbe. Anthony was the founder of the Epilepsy Association of Zambia in 2001, which became a chapter of IBE soon thereafter. To improve his knowledge [...]

It was with great sadness that IBE learned earlier today of the sad passing of Dr Vinod Saxena. From India, Vinod served as IBE Vice President Western Pacific Region from 2009 to 2013 and was a member of the IBE Regional Committee Western Pacific for several years. As a member of the board, he was held in high esteem for his insightful contributions, delivered always with courtesy, diplomacy and, usually, a little wit. His love of life was infectious and his kindness to others did not go unnoticed. He was dedicated to supporting people with epilepsy to achieve the best possible quality of life and for his exemplary work he received the Ambassador for Epilepsy award in 1991. It was fitting that the award was bestowed during the 18th International Epilepsy Congress, which was held in his home city of New Delhi. IBE would like to extend its sincere sympathy to his family with the hope that memories of happier times will help them through the difficult days that lie ahead. May he rest in peace.