June 3rd 2014 – Today the European Academy of Neurology [EAN] is founded. The new EAN is a merger of the European Federation of Neurological Societies [EFNS] and the European Neurological Society [ENS].

During its first General Assembly, the 72 institutional and individual delegates from 45 member countries of the Society elected the Officers of the Board. The results of this vote are below and the new Officers pictured:

– President: Günther Deuschl, Germany
– Vice President: Franz Fazekas, Austria
– Secretary General: Didier Leys, France
– Treasurer: Marianne de Visser, The Netherlands
– Chair Scientific Committee: Antonio Federico, Italy
– Chair Liaison Committee: David B. Vodusek, Slovenia
– Member at Large: Per Soelberg Sörensen, Denmark

EFNA looks forward to working with the new EAN, whose purpose is to:

– To increase the availability and standards of neurological services;
– To advance the development of neurology as the major medical specialty caring for patients with neurological disorders;
– To encourage collaboration between European national neurological societies;
– To strengthen collaboration between clinical neurology and related professional and lay organisations;
– To support neurological research, encourage research collaboration, and promote dissemination of research results;
– To strengthen the standard, availability and equality of neurological education for neurologists and affiliated/related health professionals;
– To raise awareness among the lay public, media, health care providers and other stakeholders, as well as law and policy makers about the burden and cost of neurological disorders and the benefits which clinical neurology can bring;
– To collaborate with international, national and regional neurological associations and related international health organisations;

The EAN will base its activities on the following five values:

– Professionalism. The EAN will strive to reach the highest scientific standards and to deliver unbiased information in its research and educational activities.
– High ethical standards. The EAN will apply high ethical standards in all its activities within science, education, liaison, and administration, complying with applicable regulations and codes of ethics.
– Involvement. The EAN will strive to involve its members and collaborators in the organisation of research, education and liaison activities.
– Independence. The EAN will operate as a professional and scientific organization, independent from the political or commercial interests of external companies or organisations.
– Transparency. The EAN will provide transparency in the organisation of all its scientific and administrative activities.