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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

IBE Day at the 34th International Epilepsy Congress Wednesday 1st September 2021 Time: 07:00 EST, 13:00 CET/CAT, 16:30 IST, 19:00 CST, 21:00 AEST If you are unsure about the start time for where you live, contact us at [email protected] for help. PROGRAMME 1. Making Epilepsy a National Health Priority - intersectoral collaboration Chairs: Mary Secco, IBE Secretary General and Action Amos, IBE Vice President Africa Topics and speakers: 10-year intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (IGAP) Tarun Dua, WHO Brain Health Unit Improving care for children with neurological disorders in resource poor settings Jo Wilmshurst, President International Childhood Neurology Association Improving access to essential medicines Gaby Ooms, Health Action International Putting epilepsy on social policy and development agendas John O'Toole, Division for Inclusive Development, UN Dept of Economic & Social Affairs Leveraging the IGAP to improve care for people with epilepsy Alla Guekht, Chair ILAE Global Advocacy Council Working with donors Gardiner Lapham, Trustee BAND Foundation Epilepsy Advocates Toolkit Karen Robinson, Epilepsy South Africa Global health in epilepsy database Karen Parko, ILAE North America 2. Empowering Youth to Raise their Voices Chairs: Lorraine Lally (Ireland) and Scarlett Paige (Australia), co-chairs of the IBE Youth Team Topics [...]

Following the close of the election nomination period, we would like to introduce the incoming Vice President North American Region, Deirdre Floyd. Deirdre will complete the current term of IBE Regional Vice Presidents, which will come to a close at the time of the IBE General Assembly in 2023. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 14 years old and for many years my seizures were relatively controlled. I worked at many different jobs although my true background is in the arts as a production assistant and make-up artist. Over 35 years ago my seizures changed significantly and I had to stop working. My epilepsy specialist suggested I contact the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes to do volunteer work. Since then, I’ve held many different positions including Fundraising Chair, Vice Chair, and President of the local agency. I have done a significant amount of advocacy work at the local and national levels, including chairing the Purple Day for Epilepsy Campaign that was founded by Cassidy Megan in Nova Scotia, and serving as President of the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance. Until recently I served on the board of the Canadian League Against Epilepsy representing the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA). Currently I serve [...]

Join us on Sunday, 13th June, for the IBE Epilepsy & Society Symposium as part of the 13th AOEC congress programme! The all-day programme is a great opportunity for people with #epilepsy and their care providers to take part in a day of interactive discussion with speakers. While there will be some focus on the situation for people with epilepsy living in the South East Asian and Western Pacific regions, there will be plenty to interest everyone! Time: 09:00 - 17:30 Japan Standard Time Topics include: Epilepsy & Covid-19 Driving with Epilepsy Golden Light Awards with personal testimonials Review of the Special Art Exhibition REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! http://www.epilepsycongress.org/aoec/registration/   Delegate Registration Fees (for Symposium only): High Income Countries: US$30 up to 14th May, US$45 from 15th May Upper Middle Income Countries: US$20 to 14th May, US$30 from 15th May Lower and Middle Income Countries: US$15 to 14th May, US$20 from 15th May Links: Register for the symposium here Find out if you qualify for reduced registration here For any questions on registration, please email [email protected] For any general queries on the symposium, please email [email protected] All presentations and discussion will be in English. Organised by the IBE Regional Executive Committees Western [...]

A Golden Opportunity to recognise and award a young person affected by epilepsy in your Chapter Is there a young member of your association who is affected by epilepsy or cares for someone with epilepsy, who has been a “shining light” for others and is deserving of recognition? We are calling on IBE chapters to submit nominations for the International Golden Light Award, to be presented during the 34th International Epilepsy Congress 2021. BACKGROUND The award recognises the contributions of people affected by epilepsy in their community and were first presented in 2004, with the original title ‘Outstanding Person with Epilepsy Award’. The title of the award was changed to Golden Light Awards in 2016, to recognise the fact that people with epilepsy should not be defined by their condition, thereby embracing the call of the International Bureau for Epilepsy to ‘bring epilepsy out of the shadows and into the light’. The awards are now presented at all regional and international epilepsy congresses. CANDIDATES To be considered for an award, candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age on 1st January 2021. Proof of age may be requested. The candidate must be nominated by the IBE chapter in which [...]