On March 30, 2026, the International Brain Initiative (IBI) and the World Women in Neuroscience (WWN) hosted the first session of the event series, NeuroFuture: Conversations on Women Advancing Neuroscience Worldwide, on AI and the brain.

The webinar featured Drs. Tamami Fukushi (Tokyo Online University), Vardit Ravitsky (Hastings Center), Allison Sekuler (Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation), and Minerva Rivas Velarde (Geneva School of Health Sciences), and was moderated by IBI Immediate Past Chair, Dr. Judy Illes.

The webinar explored the different impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on health and society, particularly on equity and ethics. Speakers highlighted how AI affects Indigenous populations, individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities, and other marginalized communities, underscoring the need for inclusive design and implementation. Discussions also examined AI in the context of aging and brain health, including its role in dementia prevention and diagnostics, while acknowledging risks related to mental health, emotional well-being, and social dynamics. Key ethical considerations, such as privacy, data governance, and threats to individual autonomy, were emphasized alongside the importance of carefully weighing benefits, risks, and costs. The use of generative AI in healthcare, particularly as chatbot tools, was explored as both an opportunity and a challenge. The session discussed the importance of stronger AI governance through the development of robust regulatory frameworks at both national and international levels to ensure responsible, equitable, and sustainable use. The webinar concluded with the panelists emphasizing the importance of maintaining critical thinking during this profound societal transformation.

Watch the full webinar here:

NeuroFuture: Conversations on Women Advancing Neuroscience Worldwide

In a series of virtual panel discussions, a collaborative effort between the IBI, the World Women in Neuroscience, and UBC Neuroethics Canada will bring together a wide range of voices in dialogue on the impact of women in neuroscience innovation, and will feature distinguished women neuroscientists to explore the intersections of AI, brain, technology, and ethics, and neuroscience, diversity, and society. Through brief presentations and dynamic audience engagement, this series will create a space where ideas are strengthened through conversation across disciplines and borders.

These free virtual events are open to the full neuroscience network of faculty members, students, research trainees, patient and public stakeholders, and other professionals from organizations located on all continents of the world. Beyond knowledge exchange, this initiative will foster global collaboration and mentorship.

For more details on the upcoming webinars, please visit: https://www.internationalbraininitiative.org/events/neurofutureconversations2026

On March 20, 2026, EBRAINS and the International Brain Initiative (IBI) brought together leading experts and the public for an interactive webinar, “Mind Your Mind,” as part of Brain Awareness Week 2026.

The event explored the growing impact of neurotechnology – tools that can record and analyse brain activity – and highlighted both its transformative potential and the ethical challenges it raises.

As speakers emphasised, neurotechnology is no longer a distant promise but an emerging reality. From consumer devices such as gaming headsets and sleep trackers to clinical applications, these technologies are generating increasingly sensitive brain data. This raises important concerns, including data breaches, behavioural profiling, and the loss of control over how personal neural information is used – making concepts like “privacy by design” more important than ever.

Anthony Hannan, Chair of the IBI, highlighted the “extraordinary potential” of neurotechnology to transform and save lives. “However, as with any new technology, there’s potential for misuse and harm,” he noted. “That is why the work of EBRAINS, IBI and others leading the field of neuroethics is so important.”

Hervé Chneiweis (INSERM and EBRAINS Ethics and Society Committee) gave an overview on what neurotechnology is and what it enables, and the definitions developed by UNESCO and OECD over the past decade. Marcello Ienca (Technical University of Munich) clarified what constitutes neurodata – what is being collected and what insights can be derived from it. Olivia Matshabane (Stellenbosch University) addressed the importance of discussing the implications and risks associated with neurodata collection.

‘Mind Your Mind’ Guide to Protecting Brain Data

Ioana Podina (University of Bucharest) presented the newly launched ‘Mind Your Mind’ Guide to Protecting Brain Data, a collaboration by the EBRAINS Ethics and Society Committee and the IBI. The guide is designed as a practical resource for anyone using or considering commercial neurotechnologies.

“Our goal was to make the complex conversation around neurodata accessible to parents, employees, students, and anyone interacting with these devices in the consumer space, where regulations have not kept pace with the speed of this technology,” Podina explained.

She encouraged attendees to read, share, and help translate the guide into their native languages – supporting a broader effort to ensure that users can make informed choices and promote responsible, human-centred innovation in neurotechnology.

Read the guide here.

The original article is published by EBRAINS on March 23, 2026: https://ebrains.eu/news-and-events/2026/ebrains-and-ibi-host-mind-your-mind-webinar-on-neurotechnology-and-brain-data

In collaboration with the EBRAINS Ethics and Society Committee, the IBI Neuroethics Working Group developed the “Mind Your Mind” guide to protecting brain data, on the occasion of Brain Awareness Week 2026.

The new ‘Mind Your Mind’ guide was created to empower the public with knowledge about neurodata: what they are, why they matter, and how they can and should be protected. It is aligned with the principles of the European Charter for the Responsible Development of Neurotechnologies, which calls for ethical innovation, a human rights-based approach, and robust safeguards for neurodata.

Read the guide (PDF) here to learn how you can protect your privacy in the age of commercial neurotechnology.

March 3, 2026 — Geneva, Switzerland

On 3 March 2026, the International Brain Initiative (IBI) — Crosscultural Working Group, together with the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (EMRTD), co-organized a side event titled “Data Sovereignty and the Right to Development for Indigenous Peoples” during the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The event brought together experts, diplomats, researchers, and Indigenous rights advocates for a focused discussion on how Indigenous Data Sovereignty — the right of Indigenous Peoples to govern, control, and benefit from data about their communities, lands, cultures, and knowledge systems — is essential to the realisation of their right to development in the digital era. 

Panel speakers included senior representatives from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Indigenous organisations, academic institutions, and international human rights bodies. They examined the impacts of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, neurotechnology and digital data systems, on Indigenous governance systems and worldviews when these are excluded from data governance frameworks. 

The discussions highlighted the risks of data extraction and technological innovation without meaningful Indigenous consent, and explored pathways to embed Indigenous-led data governance, culturally grounded approaches, and rights-based technology policies in international human rights and development frameworks. Contributions from the event will help inform the ongoing thematic study by the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development on Artificial Intelligence, Cultural Rights, and the Right to Development.

The side event underscored the importance of centring Indigenous leadership and ways of knowing in global debates about technology and data governance to ensure that digital innovation supports self-determination, cultural integrity, and equitable development for Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

Authors: Drs. Agustin Ibanez & Alfred K. Njamnshi, on behalf of the IBI Neurodiplomacy Working Group

The UNESCO House in Paris hosted a landmark international neurodiplomatic gathering that placed brain health at the center of the global scientific and policy agenda. The World Brain Health Forum, co-organized by the Paris Brain Institute and the Vascular Brain Health Institute, brought together world leaders, senior policymakers, representatives of international organizations, and leading scientists to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: protecting, promoting, and providing brain health across the lifespan in an increasingly complex world.

From the outset, the Forum set an ambitious tone. Brain disorders—including neurological and mental health conditions—now affect one in three people worldwide and are among the leading causes of disability and mortality. Beyond their medical burden, these conditions undermine education systems, productivity, social cohesion, and democratic resilience. Against this backdrop, the Forum emphasized that brain health must be understood not only as a clinical concern but also as a foundational pillar of sustainable development.

The significance of the Forum was clear from its opening session, which featured keynote addresses by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General Emeritus of the United Nations; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; Philippe Baptiste, French Minister of Higher Education and Research and Space, and globally renowned scientists, including Philippe Aghion, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. All converged on a central message: neurological and mental health disorders already affect one in three people worldwide and pose a direct threat not only to health systems but also to economic development, social cohesion, and democratic vitality.

Throughout the two days at the UNESCO House and at the Paris Science Academy building, the Forum highlighted a shared conviction: the future of brain health depends on integration. Participants examined how advances in neuroscience, neuroimaging, artificial intelligence, genomics, and data science can be combined with insights from social and environmental research to generate more effective, preventive, and equitable approaches. Panels and discussions repeatedly underscored that fragmented research and isolated interventions are no longer sufficient to meet the scale and complexity of the challenge.

One of the Forum’s key moments was Agustín Ibáñez's presentation of the concept of the Brain Health Synercome, a member of the event's scientific committee. This framework aims to overcome the current fragmentation in brain research by integrating genetic, molecular, neuroimaging, social and environmental exposome data, and behavioural phenotypes within a dynamic and predictive model. Ibáñez emphasized that the main limitation facing the field today is not a lack of data, but rather their disconnection—severely constraining the ability to anticipate, prevent, or modify trajectories of brain aging and disease. The Synercome was proposed as a new scientific horizon to model the complex, non-linear interactions between biology, environment, social and economic context, while also addressing the strong bias of existing datasets toward high-income populations and promoting inclusive data infrastructures and regional leadership, particularly in the Global South.

The World Brain Health Forum extended well beyond keynote lectures. Across the day, panels addressed prevention, innovative therapies, artificial intelligence, mental health, population aging, and equity, with contributions from experts across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. A unifying theme was the urgent need to translate scientific evidence into concrete public policies and intervention strategies that reduce inequalities and maximize the societal impact of knowledge. This theme aligns with the Yaoundé Declaration on the brain economy, brain health, and brain capital, highlighted at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Science Summit Brain Days (UNGA79 & 80), as well as the G7 Brain Economy Summit (Canada) and the G20 Ministerial Meeting Side Event in South Africa. 1,2,3

The Forum also devoted significant attention to translation—how to move from knowledge to action. Sessions explored how brain health can be strengthened through prevention across the life course, how artificial intelligence can accelerate diagnosis and therapy development, and how public–private partnerships can reduce barriers to innovation. Importantly, discussions went beyond technology, emphasizing social determinants such as education, inequality, and environmental exposures as critical drivers of brain health outcomes.

A New Initiative to Strengthen Brain Health in the Global South

At the World Brain Health Forum, a new Fellowship in Brain Health for the Global South was formally established. This international initiative aims to confront profound global inequalities in brain health by training a new generation of leaders and scientists. Led by the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, the Paris Brain Institute, and the Vascular Brain Health Institute, the Fellowship seeks to strengthen local capacity, promote research excellence with social impact, and build global networks where they are most urgently needed. The initiative will also be supported by the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin and by BrainLat at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, consolidating a strategic alliance to advance more equitable brain health worldwide.

The day at UNESCO House delivered a clear message: brain health is no longer solely a medical challenge, but a fundamental pillar of societal futures. The convergence of political leadership, international institutions, and frontier science marks a turning point toward a more integrated, inclusive, and impactful approach—one capable of addressing one of the most urgent challenges of our time.

The World Brain Health Forum concluded with a strong call to action. Building on the momentum generated at UNESCO House, participants committed to developing strategic directions and policy-relevant frameworks to guide global investment, research coordination, and public health initiatives, firmly anchoring brain health within the global policy discourse (Fig 1).

Footnote:

IBI’s vision is “for border-free global science, scholarship, and innovation for the brain that are catalyzed by the critical engagement of large-scale brain initiatives and unprecedented opportunities for international collaboration.”

References:

1. Njamnshi AK, Ibanez A, Singh G, Pyykko M, Hachinski V, Eyre HA; Scientific Technical Committee. The Yaoundé Declaration. Lancet Neurol. 2024 Oct;23(10):966-967. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00364-8. Epub 2024 Aug 22. PMID: 39182501.

2. Njamnshi AK, Fame Ndongo J, Ngoh Ngoh F, Mbella Mbella L, Ghogomu PM, Fouda SM, et al. African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health. Neuroscience. 2025 Jun 21;577:161-174. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.04.032. Epub 2025 May 6. PMID: 40339899.

3. Njamnshi AK, Bassetti CLA, Madzvamutse CR, Ayadi R, Korsten L, Vradenburg G and The Africa Task Force on Brain Health. Brain Health Drives the Global Brain Economy and Prosperity. Lancet Reg Health Africa, 2026, in press.

The IBI congratulates Dr. Judy Illes, IBI Immediate Past Chair, on her promotion to Officer of the Order of Canada. This distinguished recognition reflects her groundbreaking contributions to biomedical ethics and neuroscience and for being a proponent of Indigenous knowledge as a vital source from which to reframe Western Traditional medicine.

On December 31, 2025, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, has made 80 new appointments to the Order of Canada, including 6 Companions, 15 Officers and 59 Members. Six appointments are promotions within the Order, and another represents an honorary appointment.

“When I was honoured to become a Member of the Order of Canada, I was recognized for bringing ethics to neurology and the neurological sciences in Canada.

It is such a privilege to be recognized for expanding this body of Canadian work and leadership, including cross-cultural perspectives, to the world stage.”
– Dr. Judy Illes

In 2017, Dr. Illes was initially appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to the field of neurology, including pioneering research that has highlighted the ethical, social and legal implications of advances in neuroscience.

The Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System. Since its creation in 1967, more than 8,250 people from all sectors of society have been appointed to the Order. The contributions of these trailblazers are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country.

Please join us in celebrating this significant milestone and in expressing our highest regard for this well-deserved award!

The International Brain Initiative (IBI) congratulates Dr. Alfred K. Njamnshi, IBI Neurodiplomacy Working Group Lead, for his appointment as a member of the International Brain Research Organization Africa Regional Committee (IBRO-ARC).

Along with other newly elected Regional Committee members, Dr. Njamnshi will begin his term in January 2026, contributing to IBRO’s mission to strengthen brain research and training worldwide.

About the IBRO Regional Committees

IBRO is represented regionally by five Regional Committees: the African (IBRO-ARC), Asian-Pacific (IBRO-APRC), Latin American (IBRO-LARC), Pan-European (IBRO-PERC), and the US/Canada (IBRO-USCRC) Regional Committees.

The Chair of each Regional Committee coordinates its functioning and convenes its members (up to nine) in the execution of the regional programs and partnerships. Each committee primarily operates through online collaboration in support of IBRO’s regional mission.

Each Regional Committee is responsible for the management of IBRO’s programs and partnerships in their region. They may also contribute to cross-regional activities in collaboration with other committees, and support the promotion and visibility of IBRO within their region.

Further responsibilities include:

• Identifying unmet needs and supporting the development of IBRO’s portfolio of educational and training programs

• Elaboration of an annual budget to cover regional activities

• Review and evaluation of applications for funding in the region with a commitment towards diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Participation in exchanges aimed at building consensus, making decisions, and assuring accountability within the region

• Collaboration with regional federations and societies, as well as global scientific networks, to increase brain research and awareness in the region

• Promotion of neuroscience within the regions through outreach, mentoring, and capacity-building 

For more information, please visit: https://ibro.org/about/governance/regional-committees/

The International Brain Initiative (IBI) is excited to announce that Dr. Toshihisa Ohtsuka and Dr. Jialin Zheng have assumed the role of Co-Chairs of the IBI Executive Committee. As Co-Chairs, Drs. Ohtsuka and Zheng will provide shared leadership with Dr. Anthony Hannan (IBI Chair) in advocating for border-free global science, scholarship, and innovation for the brain that are catalyzed by the critical engagement of large-scale brain initiatives and unprecedented opportunities for international collaboration through the efforts of IBI and its partners, including IBRO.

Please join us in congratulating Drs. Ohtsuka and Zheng on this appointment!

Dr. Toshihisa Ohtsuka

Toshihisa Ohtsuka, M.D. & Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, at the University of Yamanashi, with a specialization in biochemistry and neurochemistry. His work centers on the structure and function of presynaptic active zones in neurons. Recently, Dr. Ohtsuka has expanded his research to explore the homeostatic and functional alterations of active zone-associated proteins in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Since 2015, he has also served as a Program Officer for AMED's BRAIN/MINDS and BRAIN/MINDS Beyond initiatives, a role he currently maintains for BRAIN/MINDS 2.0 (2024~).  

Dr. Jialin Charles Zheng

Jialin Charles Zheng, M.D., is an internationally acclaimed medical scientist and visionary leader whose transformative impact has elevated Tongji University School of Medicine (TUSM) into a world-class academic health sciences center. As the Dean, Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Regenerative Medicine, and Director of the Brain and Spinal Cord Clinical Research Center at TUSM, Dr. Zheng has championed a culture of excellence and collaboration. A leading expert in neuroinflammation and stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and HIV-1 associated dementia, Dr. Zheng has led numerous NIH-funded and international research projects. Dr. Zheng's expertise extends to significant national roles, including serving as an invited expert for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), a member of the Ministry of Education's (MOE) Education and Instruction Committee, a Certified Expert of Clinical Medicine, an executive committee member of international brain initiative, and a member of Alliance of Academic Health Centers International (AAHCI) and Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Global Workforce Advisory Panel. A dedicated bridge-builder, he has actively fostered strategic international partnerships between Chinese institutions and leading universities in the United States and Europe, further globalizing medical education and research.

The Korea Brain Research Institute and the IBI Emotional Working Group recently hosted the 2025 IBI Daegu Conference on October 20-22, 2025 in Daegu, Korea. The conference was an inspiring gathering of distinguished international speakers, faculty members, trainees, and guests from both local and international partners dedicated to advancing scientific understanding and fostering new perspectives on the ways emotional states influence cognition, behavior, and psychiatric conditions. 

Following Dr. Pan Gill Suh’s (KBRI President) welcoming remarks, Dr. Tony Hannan (IBI Co-Chair) delivered his remarks to congratulate KBRI’s 2025 Daegu Conference and provided a brief overview of IBI’s milestones to date.

Dr. Judy Illes (IBI Chair) delivered the opening lecture on “Mapping Emotions and Ethics for Global Neuroscience” exploring the intersection of emotions and ethics through the broad lens of empirical neuroethics, and focus on the three specific themes of responsibility, accountability, and humility in neuroimaging and neurogenetic research, and in the evolution of neuroAI.

Dr. Noor Al Dahhan (2025 IBI–Canada Early Career Neuroscientist Award recipient) presented her work during the Young Investigator’s Talk on “Neural Network Disruptions and Their Impact on Emotion Regulation and Executive Functioning in Children Treated for Brain Tumors”. During her presentation, Dr. Al Dahhan highlighted the critical role of network connectivity in supporting emotion regulation and executive functioning, and underscored the importance of considering these processes as interconnected domains influenced by the organization of brain networks.

During the conference, the IBI delegation also held its 2025 IBI Summit, together with its Executive Committee, Working Group Leads, Partners, and Funding Advisory Council. This annual strategic planning summit focused on celebrating the Member Initiatives’ and Working Groups’ milestones for the past year, and discussed building the sustainability and goals of the IBI for the coming years. 

The IBI is grateful for the Korea Brain Research Institute for hosting the IBI delegation in Daegu, Korea.

The IBI is pleased to share that Dr. Anthony J. Hannan has assumed the role of Chair of the IBI Executive Committee. As the Chair, Dr. Hannan will continue to carry forward the ongoing efforts of the IBI for a border-free global science, scholarship, and innovation for the brain that are catalyzed by the critical engagement of large-scale brain initiatives and unprecedented opportunities for international collaboration.

In addition, the IBI extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Judy Illes for her visionary leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to collaboration.

The IBI now looks forward to its continuing expansion under the capable leadership of Dr. Hannan, with Dr. Illes’ guidance in her role as the Active Past-Chair.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Hannan on this appointment!

Biography:

Professor Anthony Hannan is Head of the Epigenetics and Neural Plasticity Group at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, with research laboratories on the University of Melbourne campus. Professor Hannan received his undergraduate training and PhD in neuroscience from the University of Sydney. He was then awarded a Nuffield Medical Fellowship at the University of Oxford, where he subsequently held other research positions before returning to Australia on an NHMRC RD Wright Career Development Fellowship to establish a laboratory at the Florey Institute.

He subsequently won other fellowships and awards, including an ARC FT3 Future Fellowship, the British Council Eureka Prize, the International Society for Neurochemistry Young Lecturer Award, the Federation of European Biochemical Societies Anniversary Prize, and NHMRC Senior and Principal Research Fellowships. He is a member of the Brain and Mind Committee, Australian Academy of Science (AAS), Co-Chair of the Australian Brain Alliance (ABA), and served as Co-Chair of the International Brain Initiative since 2022.

Professor Hannan and colleagues provided the first demonstration in any genetic animal model that environmental stimulation can be therapeutic. This has led to new insights into gene-environment interactions in various brain disorders, including Huntington’s disease, dementia, autism, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders.

His research team at the Florey Institute explore how genes and the environment combine via experience-dependent plasticity in the healthy and diseased brain. Their research includes models of specific neurological and psychiatric disorders that involve cognitive and affective dysfunction, investigated at behavioural, cellular and molecular levels so as to identify pathogenic mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets.

After two years dedicated to building a unifying framework for stakeholder initiatives in brain research, implementing transnational funding and facilitating other essential activities to support and enhance the partnership’s objectives, the CSA BrainHealth consortium hosted its Final Conference on October 15, 2025 at Brussels, Belgium. 

In the session “Building Capacities for Research”, Drs. Philippe Vernier (Joint CEO, EBRAINS), Damian Eke (IBI Data, Tools and Technology Sharing Working Group Co-Lead), Anthony Hannan (IBI Co-Chair; since the recent IBI Daegu meeting, he has followed in the illustrious footsteps of Dr. Judy Illes as Chair), and Mahmoud Bukar Maina (Yobe State University, Nigeria) discussed how to strengthen research capacity through infrastructure, skills, and international networks. They shared strategies for advancing data standards, digital tools, and cross-border collaborations to support high-impact brain research.

The IBI delegation also attended the 2025 Brain Innovation Days where attendees connected with leading experts, researchers, clinicians, and industry pioneers from across Europe and beyond. The programme featured cutting-edge Brain Talks, panel discussions, an Innovation Hall showcasing ground-breaking projects, and a pitch competition spotlighting emerging brain-related start-ups. 

To learn more about the 2025 Brain Innovation Days, please visit: https://www.braininnovationdays.eu/  

The IBI Neurodiplomacy Working Group was launched soon after the first African high-level science summit held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in July and August 2024. The goal of the platform is for neurodiplomacy stakeholders worldwide to engage and accelerate the vision of IBI for the promotion of brain health for all people.

Neurodiplomacy or Neuroscience diplomacy can be conceptualised as neuroscience for diplomacy, diplomacy for neuroscience, neuroscience of diplomacy and diplomacy in neuroscience for the promotion of brain health, brain economy and brain capital, geared towards the wellbeing of humanity and our planet.

The launching of the Yaoundé Declaration on the Brain Economy, Brain Health and Brain Capital in Yaoundé on World Brain Day 2024 (July 22, 2024) was the take-off activity, followed by high-level discussions of this diplomatic instrument at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 79 and UNGA80 as well as at other global, regional, and national fora. The Bern Declaration on Brain Health has since followed in 2025, and are working toward enabling other similar regional and national diplomatic instruments in the year to come.

Congratulations to Dr. Judy Illes, IBI Chair, for receiving the CSPC 2025 Trailblazer Award in Science for Policy!

Dr. Illes’ work has brought a new lens to the way that neuroscientists do their work today, not only by guiding the way that they attend to the possible unexpected clinical consequences of their work, but to the importance of integrating multicultural considerations into study design, analysis, and delivery of results that mitigates biases and ensures meaningful and just outcomes. Her trailblazing work has had a major impact on policy making in Canada and around the world. In 2025, Dr. Illes represented Canada as members of UNESCO gathered to negotiate the recommendations on the ethics of neurotechnology – expected to be adopted in the form of soft law at the UN General Assembly.

Under her leadership with the IBI Crosscultural Working Group and sponsorship from the prestigious Brocher Foundation, global leaders came together to discuss issues surrounding Indigenous research and Indigenous perceptions on mind and brain health. Alongside her publications in Nature and Nature Reviews Neuroscience on Indigenous capacity building in neuroscience, these researchers have contributed a volume on Crosscultural Perspectives on Mind and Brain, part of the book series Developments in Neuroethics and Bioethics of which Dr. Illes is Editor in Chief. This volume, alongside her other 11 books on neuroethics are considered seminal resources for the field today.

Globally, when one speaks of neuroethics, one speaks of Dr. Judy Illes. She has put science and society for brain health and people with neurologic conditions on the world map and, in doing so, has demonstrated an outstanding level of talent and service to people in Canada. It is estimated that 80% of neuroethicists in the field today have directly or indirectly learned under Dr. Illes’ tutelage or are otherwise connected with her professional family – truly an impact felt around the world.

For more details about the award, please visit: https://sciencepolicy.ca/posts/judy-illes/

In parallel with the Science Summit during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the IBI delegation engaged in multiple sessions on global brain health and economy.

Drs. Anthony J. Hannan (IBI Co-Chair) and Alfred K. Njamnshi (IBI Neurodiplomacy Working Group Lead) participated in a panel on "From Fragmentation to Coordination: Building a Global Brain Research Framework”, as part of the 2025 Brain Days, hosted by the European Brain Council on September 25-26, 2025.

They explored how international collaboration can accelerate brain research and innovation, strengthen synergies across initiatives, and address barriers to data sharing and capacity building. The discussion highlighted opportunities to align global efforts and ensure research translates into tangible benefits for citizens and societies worldwide. 

In this panel, Dr. Shubha Tole, International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) President-elect, discussed with Drs. Hannan and Njamnshi how the IBI and IBRO can collaborate to enhance global neuroscience through complementary goals and missions. Meanwhile, Dr. Friederike Bathe, Coordination and Support Action (CSA) BrainHealth Coordination Office Head, also discussed opportunities to fund emerging international partnerships in neuroscience. 

In addition, Dr. Allison Sekuler (IBI Canada) participated in a panel on “Masterminding Brain-Positive Systems Change” during the 2025 Brain Economy Summit on September 24, 2025. The Summit brought together industry leaders, research experts, design professionals, and other stakeholders. Participants discussed the importance of working together to generate an actionable agenda that advances scientific breakthroughs on youth mental health, brain health, dementia, aging, and more.

To learn more about these sessions, please visit:

• 2025 Brain Days: https://www.braincouncil.eu/event/unga80/

• 2025 Brain Economy Summit: https://euromed-economists.org/science-summit-at-unga80-the-brain-economy-summit-2025/

Watch the recording of the panel on "From Fragmentation to Coordination: Building a Global Brain Research Framework” here:

WHO has recognized mental health and, more recently, brain health as public health priorities. This momentum was further advanced at the National, Regional, and International Plans for Brain and Mental Health: Bridging the Gaps (June 12–13, 2025) symposium organized by the Swiss Brain Health Plan and the Swiss Brain Health Foundation. The event united global experts around a transformative vision: brain health must be embraced as a positive, fundamental component of overall health and human potential beyond the absence of disease.

The gathering featured 22 brain health initiatives from organizations worldwide. Despite local differences, a clear consensus emerged and is summarized in the decalogue (panel). A virtual survey of participants identified the top three priorities among 20 brain health topics: definition of brain health, identification of measures of brain health, and development of population-wide strategies to promote brain health.

Read the full document here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(25)00286-8/fulltext

Dr. Judy Illes, IBI Chair, delivered a keynote lecture on Advancing New Partnerships for Global Brain Health at the first summit of the Latin American Brain (LATBrain) Initiative on September 4, 2025 at the Aging Research Center, South Unit of the Center for Research and Advanced Studies in Mexico City, Mexico.

The LATBrain Summit focused on promoting research in Latin America and the strengths of the region. Dr. Illes’ presentation emphasized the important relationship between the IBI and LATBrain in advancing the understanding of the brain and strategies to mitigate the burden of neurologic and neuropsychiatric conditions. Together, participants searched for actions and collaborative opportunities to promote innovation and scientific advances in global brain health.

“We may have low resources, but we are strong people.”
-Dr. Luisa Rocha, LATBrain

IBI Chair, Dr. Judy Illes, recently hosted a discussion with Dr. Luisa Rocha on LATBrain’s role in global neuroscience collaboration. Dr. Rocha is Mexico’s official representative in LATBrain and is the general coordinator of the initiative. She is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacobiology at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) in Mexico City, Mexico.

Origins and evolution of LATBrain

Dr. Rocha shared that LATBrain was established in 2021 in response to the need for stronger regional collaboration among neuroscientists across Latin America. While the region produces high-quality neuroscience research, structural and political challenges often intersect its global impact. LATBrain emerged as a unifying platform to promote collaboration and strengthen the field within and outside the region.

One of LATBrain’s first major activities was a symposium in 2022 on the neurological impacts of COVID-19, in partnership with the University of Honduras. Broadcast across Latin America, the event caught the attention of both scientists and professionals working in brain health. Since then, LATBrain has organized annual international symposia, mostly focused on neurodegenerative diseases. Looking ahead, LATBrain will host its first summit in September 2025, with the IBI as a proud partner.

Vision for the future: LATBrain’s goals and IBI partnership

In 2023, LATBrain conducted a regional survey to assess the needs and challenges faced by neuroscience professionals in Latin America. The findings highlighted deep pride in the region’s scientific expertise, but also systemic obstacles, such as the lack of consistent national support for science, largely due to governmental instability.

Dr. Rocha emphasized that advocacy must go beyond the scientific community:

“We need scientists who not only work in labs, but who also speak directly to governments and the public about the importance of science.”

LATBrain aims to play a leadership role in science policy advocacy, public engagement, and neuroscience education. This includes highlighting Latin America’s historical contributions to neuroscience, such as Nobel prize winners from Argentina and unique regional knowledge.

Dr. Rocha described how the IBI can help support these goals:

“The only way to move forward is through collaboration, within and beyond our region.”

She also noted the value of highlighting Latin America’s niche contributions to neuroscience, such as animal models native to the region that offer unique insights into brain function and dysfunction. For example:

1. A species, Lama pacos (alpaca), in Peru that thrives at high altitudes, offering insight into hypoxic brain adaptation.

2. A rodent-like animal, Proechimys guyannensis, in the Amazon that appears naturally resistant to epilepsy, with a brain structure and receptor distribution unlike any other known species.

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Regional challenges and the distinct nature of brain disorders in Latin America

Dr. Rocha noted that while the demographics for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are similar across North and Latin America, the underlying risk factors differ. In Latin America, malnutrition, environmental contaminants, and mining-related exposure contribute to higher vulnerability. Genetic diversity also plays a role. In Mexico, for example, populations with mixed ancestry, including Indigenous, European, and Jewish heritage, present unique patterns in the prevalence of neurological disorders. Dr. Rocha referenced specific regions of Colombia where clusters of Alzheimer’s cases have a known genetic basis. Colombia is also one of the original sites where the Huntington’s disease gene was identified.

Strategic partnerships with IBRO, FENS, and other global networks

LATBrain’s strong partnership with IBRO (International Brain Research Organization) has been key in supporting young researchers in Latin America. Dr. Rocha highlighted IBRO’s programs that help early-career scientists return to the region to establish research careers.

“We consider the support of IBRO in Latin America as essential.”

She also spoke about the Federation of Neuroscience Societies of Latin America, founded in 2013, which has helped organize regional meetings and strengthen connections across countries, slowly but steadily.

Dr. Judy Illes added:

“The relationships with IBRO and FENS have been enormously beneficial for building our organizations. Through IBRO, I was part of the early leadership of what is now World Women in Neuroscience. It’s been a joy to mentor so many passionate young women from Latin America through that initiative.”

New opportunities for collaboration with Canada and the IBI

Dr. Rocha emphasized the need for deeper cross-national partnerships with Canada and other IBI member countries.

“We can build strong networks to investigate key brain science questions. Distance is no longer a barrier. If we can share data and collaborate through digital platforms, we can work from anywhere.”

She pointed to a successful model network organized by Dr. Pedro Valdés and noted the potential of expanding such efforts globally. Collaborations with institutions in countries like South Korea, which have advanced infrastructure but seek research partners, could be mutually beneficial. Dr. Rocha expressed hope that the IBI’s Global Exchange platform could facilitate these goals by connecting researchers, enabling data sharing, and supporting training opportunities.

“We may not have the highest-tech equipment, but we know how to adapt and innovate. That’s something we can teach young researchers.”

Closing reflections

Dr. Rocha concluded by emphasizing LATBrain’s commitment to raising awareness of the region’s contributions and needs, and to creating lasting collaborations that advance global brain health.

“I’m proud to be part of Latin America. We have a long-standing tradition of scientific inquiry. Our resources may be limited, but our intellect and creativity are strong. By combining that strength with the technological advances of other regions, we can transform neuroscience in Latin America.”

The Board of Directors of the International Neuroethics Society (INS) has voted to appoint Professor Marcello Ienca, IBI Neuroethics Working Group Lead, to the position of President-Elect for one year and to serve as its next President for two years starting in 2026. Dr. Ienca will be the eighth INS President since its formation in 2008 and its first leader from continental Europe.

To read the full article, please visit: https://neuroethicssociety.org/posts/ienca-next-president/

No opening of the cranium, no cutting into the brain, no blood. Today's precise psychosurgery presents options for patients with treatment-resistant disorders.

IBI Chair, Dr. Judy Illes, together with other experts, discuss the ethics of emerging neurotechnologies.

To read the full article, please visit: https://nationalpost.com/feature/psychosurgeries-are-back

Dr. Melissa Perreault, IBI Crosscultural Working Group Lead, delivered a keynote lecture on diversity, equity and inclusivity in neuroscience at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology on July 14, 2025 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

More than 300 conference participants listened and heard her inspiring messages on trust, integrating holism and Euro-Western perspectives, and the importance of focusing on allies to today’s and future generations.