Abstract Body

Like many organisations the WFN faced major challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Paradoxically, but not uniquely, the challenges and the resulting changes have energised the Federation generating fresh focus, renewed endeavour and positive outcomes which have been overwhelmingly beneficial.

Firstly, the WFN embarked on a review of its administrative processes to update internal operations in 2018. The installation of an electronic calendar providing organisational memory and communication tools assisted the management of repetitive tasks and workflow, giving an overview of activity and real time progress. Website and social media activities were updated after the Strategic Planning Meeting, now a biennial event.

Secondly, communicability with member societies became crucially important as the only effective way to run the WFN and its educational and advocacy activities. Additions to the London Office staff and relocation followed. The 2019 World Brain Day campaign was lengthened and bookmarked with opening and closing webinars. The 2019 WCN Opening Ceremony incorporated an inaugural e-spectacular highlighting EMINS, the WCN and the WFN.

Thirdly, member societies and specialty groups formed invaluable collaborations for a number of educational activities. Notable was the Geographical and Tropical Neurology Specialty Group in association with the Indian Academy of Neurology developing their highly regarded Neuroinfection Series. The inaugural e-Learning Day on Stroke in Africa held by AFAN and the WFN with support from the EAN and AAN was so successful it will likely continue as an annual event.

Fourthly, collaborative partnerships underpinned the involvement of the GNA with the annual World Brain Day which focused on migraine (IHS) in 2019, Parkinson’s Disease (MDS) in 2020 and multiple sclerosis (MSIF) in 2021. The Discussion Paper developed as the preliminary response to the WHA 73.10 Resolution on “A Global Action Plan for Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders” also benefitted by the contribution of several members of the GNA. The Resolution represented a landmark event in the relations between the WHO and the neurological world.

Finally, as a consequence of these developments, the WFN is now sufficiently flexible to shift from physical to electronic or virtual platforms. The 2021 World Congress of Neurology, the annual extended World Brain Day, the online Needs Registry survey and the innovative Brain Health Initiative are all thriving because of this flexibility. These initiatives add to the visibility of the WFN, promote adroitly the mission of the WFN to “foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide” and provide a confident vision for the future.