Author:

Keywords:

Plurisdiciplinary platform, Cost of brain diseases, Lobbying, Brain awareness, Education, Care improvement, Patient associations

Abstract:

The Belgian Brain Council (BBC) is a registered association with statutes published in the Moniteur Belge. BBC was created 10 years ago on the initiative of Pr. Jean Schoenen. BBC is an independent National Brain Council (NBC) but aligned with the main goals of the European Brain Council (EBC). BBC is unique and a multidisciplinary platforms which UNITE scientific organizations of neuroscientists, psychiatrists and research workers, patients' associations and pharmaceutical/device companies. The BBC aims are : • To improve the quality of life of persons living with neurological and mental disorders, • To raise awareness of this subject, stimulate research, • To foster exchange between the different disciplines and associations, and • To lobby government for enhancing research and treatments. BBC is a need for : • To speak with one voice to be strong enough to influence policy makers and budget holders at the national level • To act at national research programs, in which the greatest part of overall funds is available • National research policies should be aligned with the EU policies: NBCs are the best bottom instruments to approach such challenge BBC achievements : • Use to diffuse information through a web page since 2007 regularly updated and consulted more than 900.000 times with an overall nibbler scoring of 5.6 (for instance the EBC web site has a score of 6.2 and ULB a score of 6.3) • Coordinate the belgian Brain Awareness Week, a yearly worldwide event • Organized scientifically and logistically already 5 national conferences gathering each time 250 participants. A unique platform gathering and creating interactions between all the stakeholders. The next meeting will in MONS at the MICX, OCTOBER 8, 2016 • Realized studies and publications about the cost of brain diseases in Belgium • Submit to the Belgian Government a memorandum and recommendations focused on « What future for brain research in Belgium ?