Expertise and current research performed: Brainwave is the Irish member of The International Bureau for Epilepsy. Brainwave was established in 1967 by a group of individuals concerned to improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy in Ireland. Over the 38 years since its inception, the Association has grown and expanded and now provides a range of services from headquarters in Dublin and from regional offices in Offaly, Kilkenny, Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Letterkenny and Dundalk. The objectives of Brainwave are: to provide support, information and advice to people with epilepsy; to provide information and advice to health professionals in dealing with epilepsy; to improve public understanding of epilepsy (in order to eliminate fear and prejudice) through awareness campaigns and education programmes; to undertake, encourage and assist research into the causes of, cure for and management of epilepsy and into the social and psychological effects of the condition; to promote legislative and civil rights for people with epilepsy and to campaign to eliminate all discriminatory practices and policies affecting them; to assist in the development of support groups for people with epilepsy in the area of training and employment.; to provide information on issues related to driving: insurance, changing legislation; to provide practical aids to people with epilepsy; to operate as a public forum and an advocate for the condition of epilepsy; and to raise funds to support its work in an awareness-creating manner.The International Bureau for Epilepsy is an international body of lay organisations established in 1961 and focussed on the social and medical aspects of epilepsy. IBE has 110 members, representing national epilepsy organisations, based in 82 countries world wide. IBE is involved in a number of projects, including EUCARE and the Global Campaign against Epilepsy. The IBE addresses such social problems as education, employment, insurance, driving licence restrictions and public awareness. The Bureau also works in close liaison with the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE). The objectives of the IBE are: (1) Organisation: to provide an international organisation for national epilepsy organisations and other epilepsy organisations whose primary purpose is to improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy and those who care for them. (2) Support: to provide a strong global network to support the development of new members, to support existing members to develop to their fullest potential and to encourage co-operation and contact between members. (3) Communication: to promote the facts about epilepsy and to communicate the IBE’s vision, mission and messages to the widest possible audience. (4) Education: to increase awareness, understanding and knowledge of epilepsy and on the needs of people with epilepsy and those who care for them. (5) Representation: to provide an international and global platform for the representation of epilepsy in relation to national and international organisations and governments. In order to accomplish these objectives, IBE: publishes information about epilepsy and about the IBE, which shall be disseminated as widely as possible; promotes the exchange of information and co-operation between organisations concerned with epilepsy; stimulates research into epilepsy; encourages education and training with respect to epilepsy; organizes and facilitates international and regional conferences, congresses, meetings and seminars on epilepsy; raises the level of awareness, understanding and knowledge of epilepsy among relevant international agencies. Most recent activities are related to: ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign Against Epilepsy; EUCARE and Cognitive Function Research Project.

Personnel involved in the project

Mike Glynn (M): Chief Executive of Brainwave and Treasurer of the International Bureau for Epilepsy, Member of the EUCARE Management Group and a Member of the IBE European Regional Committee; Susanne Lund (F): Chief Executive at the Swedish Epilepsy Association. Member of IBE Public Education Commission since 1997 and its chair since 2001. From 2001 also IBE Vice President with responsibility for Communications, which includes the IE News (as Editor), the IBE website and other IBE publications. Since 2003 a member of the Management Group of EUCARE. President of IBE since August 2005; Ann Little (F): Executive Director, International Bureau for Epilepsy and IBE media coordinator.