Welcome

Welcome message from the 29th IEC SAOC

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We are delighted to announce that the 29th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC) will be held in the ancient city of Rome, from 28th August to 1st September 2011. It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us there.

Continuing on from the 2009 celebration in Budapest marking the ILAE Centenary, the 29th IEC will honour and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Bureau for Epilepsy and the Jubilee Year of its foundation. To mark this historic event, the Scientific Advisory & Organising Committee (SAOC) is constructing a programme of great promise. Topics will explore and integrate the scientific and social aspects of the issues faced by physicians, carers, persons with epilepsy and by all others involved in the field of epilepsy. These topics include ‘When do we consider epilepsy cured?’, ‘Impaired consciousness in epilepsy’, ‘Epilepsy during puberty – the wonder years’, ‘Older, slowing down and seizing up – epilepsy strikes again’, ‘Predicting the unpredictable: the adverse effects of treatments’, ‘Challenges in developing a new approach for classification in epilepsy’ and ‘Avoiding epilepsy deaths’, which will be addressed in the Presidential Symposium. In addition, special activities will be organised to celebrate the Jubilee Year of IBE, such as a photo competition, a book of greetings, details of the history of IBE and other special Jubilee events.

Whilst we will ensure that the programme appeals to each and every one of us for whom the understanding and management of epilepsy plays such an important role, we do hope that the congress will also represent an opportunity for you to explore this remarkable city at a time when Italy also celebrates its local history with the 150th anniversary of national unification.

We hope you will be able to accept this invitation and will join us in Rome to celebrate on this very special occasion.

Very best regards,
29th IEC SAOC

Mike Glynn (Ireland) , Co-chair
Solomon Moshé (USA), Co-chair
Emilio Perucca (Italy), Congress Director
Federico Vigevano (Italy), Scientific Programme Director
Janet Mifsud (Malta)
Giovanni Battista Pesce (Italy)

Welcome message from the Mayor of Rome

The contribution to the progress and development of medicine has always been and will increasingly be a priority in the programmes promoted by the City of Rome. Hosting the International Epilepsy Congress is therefore an honour and a great opportunity, as we are aware that from the works of this Congress and from your discussion and sharing, new important knowledge will undoubtedly arise in the field of diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.

All Romans, either from direct experience or just for having admired at the Vatican Museum “the Transfiguration” - Raffaello’s painting where a young man with epilepsy is portrayed - are in some way interested in this disease and would like to know better about its treatment.

I have learnt that 2011 is the 50th anniversary of the International Bureau for Epilepsy, and that this society was established in Rome in 1961. I wish that today, as 50 years ago, Rome will be the theatre of important events related to the fight against epilepsy.

Let me wish you, on behalf of all Romans, the warmest welcome to this City: I hope that Rome, with its art, its history and its overall beauty, will be an adequate host for this Congress, and give you the strength to continue in your important and difficult mission. I wish you very fruitful work.

Giovanni Alemanno
Mayor of Rome