The 7th AOEC Congress will take place in Xiamen, China, from 15-18 May 2008.

Welcome Message from the Chairs of the International Organising Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the International Organising Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee, it gives us great pleasure to invite you to the 7th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC) which will take place in beautiful Xiamen on the south-east coast of China, from the 15th to the 18th May 2008.

We hope that you will find the Scientific Programme at least as attractive as with the earlier Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congresses. The main topics are Diagnostic Issues in Paediatric Epileptology; Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Epilepsy in Asia; Epilepsy Genetics – Towards Daily Practice; Epilepsy and Co-morbidities and Social Issues. We have introduced some new features in the programme which include holding post main sessions simultaneously with other parallel sessions and platform sessions. The parallel sessions feature topics on Classification, Imaging, AED Issues, Ethical Issues and Basic Science as well as informative Video sessions. These topics in the Main, Post-Main and Parallel sessions have been selected to ensure that the AOEC continues to be of high academic standard and clinically relevant.

A Chairman’s Symposium has been added to the first day of the congress. On the last day a Highlights session will take place which will sum up the main topics discussed at the 7th AOEC. The inaugural Masakazu Seino Memorial Lecture will be held during the congress and we hope that the Memorial Lecture will become a permanent feature of future AOEC meetings. In addition, there will be a two-day programme for people with epilepsy, focusing on support and education as well as the HOPE project.

A number of bursaries will be available to those that submit an abstract as well as to people with an interest in the meeting who do not have this possibility; full details on both applications will be available shortly on the congress website. We would like to encourage all researchers and practitioners to consider contributing to the programme by submitting abstracts for oral and poster presentations. Investigators from diverse fields of research and both patient groups and foundations are making important progress in the understanding of epilepsy and it is vital that this information is shared and acknowledged. Please note the deadline in your diaries of the 15th January 2008 for submission of an abstract or a bursary award.

Xiamen is a vibrant and bustling city that has a relaxing coastal charm and boasts numerous tourist attractions, including islands, temples and parks. It is also called “Egret Island” due to the thousands of egrets inhabiting there which is a truly magical sight. Places to visit include Gulangyu Island, Zhongshan Park, Xiamen Underwater Sea World and Nanpuoto Temple, to name but a few.

We look forward to welcoming you to Xiamen in 2008 and we hope that you will benefit greatly from the scientific programme, renew friendships, share information and ideas with new acquaintances and enjoy your stay in one of China’s finest cities.

With warm regards,

Shichuo Li (China)
Co-chair, International Organising Committee
President, China Association Against Epilepsy

Susanne Lund (Sweden)
Co-chair, International Organising Committee
President, International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)

Peter Wolf (Denmark)
Co-chair, International Organising Committee
President, International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)

Shih Hui Lim (Singapore)
Co-chair, Scientific Advisory Committee
Chair, Commission on Asian and Oceanian Affairs

Liwen Wu (China)
Co-chair, Scientific Advisory Committee

SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY AND THEIR CARERS

A special programme organised by the IBE Western Pacific and South East Asia Regional Committees will run in parallel with the 7th AOEC from Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th May 2008. Keynote addresses, the HOPE project, informative training sessions, group discussions and a full day tour of Xiamen are some of the highlights of this programme.

On Thursday 15th May, participants are invited to take part in the 7th AOEC Opening Ceremony held in the Xiamen International Exhibition and Convention Centre (XICEC). Friday 16th May will be a busy day with Shunglon Lai (Taiwan), Anchor Hung (Hong Kong) and Shichuo Li (China) coordinating a comprehensive range of events. The day begins with a keynote address by the IBE President Susanne Lund (Sweden). Speakers and presentation titles are currently being finalised for the rest of programme.

Much focus will be on the Lectures from the AOEA experts, HOPE Project and the Outstanding Persons with Epilepsy, where individuals share their personal experiences. Group discussions in a variety of languages will feature, enabling everyone to give their own view points. Meet friends old and new during the coffee breaks and enjoy a delicious lunch with the possibility of impromptu speeches and songs. An informal Get Together Party has been arranged in the evening for all participants of the IBE programme; it promises to be a wonderful occasion.

On Saturday 18th May, a tour of Xiamen has been specially arranged. Travel around Xiamen by coach and step back in time as you visit museums, memorials, and historical and cultural sites as well as the beautiful natural vistas of the island.
This Programme has been supported by an Educational Grant from UCB Pharma.

OUTSTANDING PERSONS WITH EPILEPSY AWARDS
Outstanding persons nominated by IBE Member Associations in the South East Asian and Western Pacific Regions will attend the Special Programme and will tell their own personal stories about how they deal with their epilepsy. These special people each has unique experiences of facing the difficulties of epilepsy and finding solutions in order to improve their confidence, quality of life and opportunities open to them.

Click here to read more about the Outstanding Persons Awards and how to nominate candidates.

Click here to visit the congress website for further details on the congress programme, bursaries, committees and other congress information………..!

Click here to download the Second Announcement.

Click here to download the Congress Programme at a Glance.