The European Brain Council (EBC) was proud to lead the 2026 Brain Days at the Science Summit of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, marking another major milestone in the efforts to advance brain health, research and capital on the global policy agenda.

In collaboration with Perkins&Will, Victoria Walsh, Devin Kleiner and Katlyn Blong of Perkins&Will, Christopher Moses (Alliance Theatre), Mike Schleifer (Lincoln Center Theater) and Moushumi Sharmin (Western Washington University), moderated by Hala El Khorazaty (Perkins&Will), examined how inclusive and evidence-informed design can support learning, emotional wellbeing and brain health from childhood through higher education.

The afternoon opened with Carmencita Bua (Skylark Transition Program) in conversation with Hala El Khorazaty on Skylark at Meleto and the need to better support young people in the transition to independent adulthood.

In collaboration with HKS and The Pedersen Foundation, Kara Hourihan (The Pedersen Foundation) and Upali Nanda (HKS) presented Neurospatial Design: Evidence in Practice, showing how the design of physical environments can be informed by evidence on cognitive, emotional and psychological wellbeing.

In collaboration with the Center for BrainHealth, Sandra Chapman and Ian Robertson (Center for BrainHealth, The BrainHealth Project), George Vradenburg (Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative) and Krystal Sexton (Cognitive Capital Group), moderated by Richard Hatzfeld (Finn Partners), explored how to turn brain science into scalable impact, including the launch of the BrainHealth Pulse assessment.

In collaboration with the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease, Lisa Mosconi (Weill Cornell Medicine), Susan Peters (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) and Lynn Posluns (Women’s Brain Health Initiative) joined moderator Dan Pawson (Business Collaborative for Brain Health) to address the urgent need for sex- and gender-responsive research, menopause-aware workplace policies and greater support for women’s cognitive health throughout the life course.

Suzanne Dickson closed the programme by reflecting on the collective energy, knowledge and partnerships represented across the two days, and on the opportunity to carry this momentum forward.

The 2026 Brain Days were made possible through the commitment and collaboration of an exceptional group of partners: the European Partnership for Brain Health, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Coordination & Support Action BrainHealth, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, Northwell Health, European Academy of Neurology, Brain Health Mission, The Carter Center, Siemens Healthineers, Catalight Foundation, Perkins&Will, HKS, The Pedersen Foundation, Center for BrainHealth and the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease.

These partnerships make it possible to convene leaders and contributors from across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas – and, crucially, to connect the perspectives of science, policy, clinical practice, patient advocacy, education, business, finance, philanthropy, design and communities.

From a 25-person roundtable five years ago, the Brain Days have grown into a two-day convening space for leaders in research, care, prevention, education, policy, finance, technology, design, advocacy and lived experience. As the fifth edition draws to a close, the message is clear: brain health is a social, economic and human priority, and the momentum now is to turn a shared vision into sustained collaboration, political commitment and meaningful action. The next phase is to build on it – through stronger global collaboration, science diplomacy, national leadership and continued work towards a UN Resolution for the Brain.

For the fifth year in a row, the European Brain Council (EBC) joined partners and stakeholders from across the global brain health community in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), bringing brain health, research, innovation and the broader societal and economic value of brain health into discussions taking place throughout the UN High-Level Week.

Across a week of high-level meetings, scientific exchanges and multi-stakeholder dialogue, EBC helped connect European and international perspectives around a common objective: strengthening global action on brain health and ensuring that brain health is recognised as a strategic priority for societies, economies and sustainable development.

As part of EANS 2026, the European Brain Council (EBC) contributed to Session 57: RISE Europe (Research Spotlight Session) on Friday, 2 October. The session brought together perspectives on the European research landscape and the conditions needed to strengthen and advance neuroscience research across Europe.

EBC President Prof. Suzanne Dickson presented “An overarching and cohesive approach in advocating for the brain in Europe,” highlighting the importance of coordinated advocacy for brain health and research at European level.

EBC Board Member Prof. Tomás Ryan followed with “How do we stay competitive? European neuroscience research landscape,” focusing on the European neuroscience research landscape and the challenges and opportunities for maintaining Europe’s competitiveness in research.

The session also featured presentations on translating research into clinical trials, developments in academic networks in European neurosurgery, and clinical research in cranial subdural empyema, followed by a discussion.

The EBC booth was present throughout the congress, serving as a visible representation of the Council and its ongoing initiatives. It provided attendees with an opportunity to learn more about EBC’s work, including its projects, partnerships, and advocacy efforts in neuroscience and brain health. Through the booth, the Council was able to maintain a presence at the event, reinforce its role within the European neurosurgical and neuroscience community, and highlight its commitment to promoting research, collaboration, and innovation across Europe.

On 25 June, the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services officially launched a new National Brain Health Strategy. The strategy will be in effect from 2026 to 2036, reflecting a long-term commitment to strengthening brain health across the life course. Below is a translated overview of the strategy’s main objectives, providing insight into its strategic direction for the next ten years:

3.1 Good brain health throughout life – health promotion, prevention and management

3.1.1 A brain-friendly society

• Strengthen the knowledge base on key measures to promote brain health and prevent brain disorders at both individual and societal levels
• Reinforce efforts targeting risk factors for non-communicable diseases
• Prevent and reduce loneliness

3.1.2 Increased knowledge and health literacy

• Increase public awareness of brain health
• Promote understanding of how individuals can maintain their own brain health
• Improve knowledge of prevention of brain disorders
• Adapt information to patients and strengthen health literacy

3.1.3 A brain-friendly start in life

• Safeguard brain health in pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care
• Increase parental knowledge about infant and child brain health

3.2 Good care pathways – from symptom to diagnosis, treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation

3.2.1 Timely assessment and accurate diagnosis

• Update national clinical guidelines in line with new knowledge, introduce new methods, and clarify responsibilities

3.2.3 Equal access to interdisciplinary, evidence-based specialized rehabilitation

• Ensure early and intensive rehabilitation as standard practice for stroke and other acute brain conditions
• Use technology to increase intensity and access to diagnosis and treatment
• Reduce unwarranted variation in access to services

3.3 Increased knowledge and quality in services through research, innovation and collaboration with industry

3.3.1 Better access to data

• Provide faster and easier access to health data
• Improve coverage and data quality in national medical quality registries
• Strengthen performance on quality indicators

3.3.2 Norway as a leading actor in research and innovation

• Establish a national brain research hub involving academia, health services, user organisations and industry
• Contribute to the national action plan for clinical research, aiming to double clinical research by 2036
• Support strong performance of Norwegian researchers nationally and internationally

3.4 More user-centred services and better support for caregivers

3.4.1 Improved collaboration across sectors

• Increase knowledge in services about specific needs linked to brain disorders
• Develop better support for individuals and caregivers, including municipal and voluntary sector involvement

3.4.2 Tools for participation and shared decision-making

• Develop welfare technology to support prevention, treatment and follow-up
• Expand shared decision-making tools across diagnostic groups
• Strengthen digital solutions for collaboration between services and users

3.4.3 Support for caregivers

• Provide strong support and follow-up for caregivers
• Ensure accessible and tailored information
• Increase use of caregiver agreements
• Implement national guidance on caregiver support

From 6 to 10 July 2026, the European Brain Council (EBC) participated in the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. Organised by the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Neuroscience (SENC), the biennial Forum is Europe's largest neuroscience congress, bringing together more than 8,000 scientists, clinicians, students and stakeholders from around the world to explore the latest advances in brain research. The scientific programme spanned the full spectrum of neuroscience, from fundamental discovery science to translational and clinical research, and included plenary and special lectures, scientific symposia, technical workshops, special interest events, career development activities and networking opportunities. 

At FENS Forum 2026, EBC contributed through the organisation of several networking and special interest events, led a dedicated session on the European Partnership for Brain Health, and engaged with the neuroscience community throughout the congress via its exhibition booth. The Forum provided an important platform for EBC to connect with researchers, clinicians, policymakers, patient organisations, National Brain Councils and European partners, strengthening collaboration across the neuroscience community and supporting efforts to translate research into innovation, improved brain health and better care and policy across Europe. 

On the 7th of July, EBC contributed to the Special Interest Event “Political Advocacy for Neuroscience Research Funding in a Changing World – ‘What Can I Do?’”, organised by the FENS Advocacy Committee. The session explored the increasing importance of advocacy in securing sustainable support for neuroscience research amid a changing European and global funding landscape.

Bringing together neuroscientists and advocacy representatives, the discussion examined the role of the scientific community in engaging with policymakers, developing advocacy networks and fostering collaboration across sectors to promote effective research funding strategies and supportive policies.

Frédéric Destrebecq, Executive Director of the European Brain Council and European Brain Foundation, contributed to the session by highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in neuroscience advocacy and the value of connecting researchers, patient organisations, policymakers and other stakeholders to strengthen collective impact.

Other speakers shared national experiences, practical approaches to advocacy engagement and lessons learned from efforts to influence research policy. The session concluded with a panel discussion and audience exchange, encouraging participants to actively contribute to a strong, competitive and well-represented neuroscience ecosystem in Europe through sustained advocacy and collaboration.

On the 8th of July, EBC co-organised the Special Interest Event “Brain Health and Brain Capital: Shaping the Future of Neuroscience Research, Innovation and Policy” together with the Spanish Brain Council and the Spanish Society of Neuroscience (SENC).

Moderated by Mara Dierssen, President of the Spanish Brain Council, President of the Spanish Association for the Advancement of Science, and researcher within the Systems and Synthetic Biology Programme at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the session explored how the concepts of brain health and brain capital are influencing future priorities for neuroscience research, innovation and public policy across Europe.

The event highlighted the growing societal and economic impact of neurological and mental disorders and the need to translate neuroscience advances into improved healthcare, prevention strategies and evidence-based policies. Frédéric Destrebecq provided a policy perspective on brain health, brain capital and the brain economy in Europe, emphasising the importance of strategic investment in brain health.

Rym Ayadi, Founder and President of the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association, Co-founder of the Brain Capital Alliance and Member of the Steering Committee of the Global Brain Economy Initiative, presented insights into the Brain Capital Index and the transition towards a brain economy in Spain. Esther Berrocoso, Board Member of the Spanish Brain Council, Scientific Director of the Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation of Cádiz (INiBICA), Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Cádiz and researcher within the CIBER Mental Health network (CIBERSAM), discussed the current state of neuroscience in Spain, including key challenges, opportunities and the importance of European alignment.

The session underscored the need for stronger links between research, healthcare systems, innovation ecosystems and policymaking to accelerate the translation of neuroscience discoveries into societal impact. It concluded that positioning brain health as a strategic priority for Europe is essential not only to improve health outcomes, but also to foster scientific excellence, drive innovation and support long-term societal and economic resilience.

From 27–30 June 2026, the European Brain Council (EBC) participated in the 12th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in Geneva, Switzerland. Bringing together neurologists, researchers, healthcare professionals, patient representatives and policymakers from across Europe and beyond, the annual congress provided an important platform to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration and discuss the future of neurology and brain health.
Throughout the congress, EBC highlighted the importance of placing brain health higher on the European policy agenda, advocating for stronger investment in research and innovation, improved care pathways and greater collaboration across sectors. Through a series of scientific sessions, policy discussions and stakeholder engagements, EBC contributed to ongoing conversations on how to improve outcomes for people living with neurological and brain disorders.

Prof. Suzanne Dickson also participated in the plenary session “Partnering for the Brain in Europe and Beyond”, where she presented EBC’s ongoing work to advance a coordinated European approach to brain health.

The session emphasised the importance of collaboration between scientific organisations, policymakers, patient organisations and international partners to accelerate progress in brain health. EBC’s contributions highlighted its involvement in the European Partnership for Brain Health, as well as its advocacy efforts at international level, including engagement in global policy discussions such as the United Nations General Assembly.

The discussion explored the growing momentum for brain health at European level, highlighting recent policy developments and the importance of a coordinated EU approach to neurological health. Speakers reflected on the progress achieved to date while discussing future priorities for strengthening brain health policy, promoting research and ensuring that neurological disorders remain high on the European agenda.