Conference Programme

Wednesday 25th August | Thursday 26th August | Friday 27th August

“Epilepsy… so what?”
The 12th ECES will take place from Wednesday 25th August to Friday 27th August 2010. The theme of the conference is “Epilepsy… so what?” which analyses different aspects of living with epilepsy. The main objective of this programme is to reduce the stigma by discussing issues associated with epilepsy. In addition, the 12th ECES Programme is mainly based on topics suggested by Members of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE). The majority of speakers were also suggested by IBE European member associations. During the conference, delegates will have many opportunities to socialise and participate in discussion groups, parallel sessions and other programmed activities.

To see the programme at a glance, please click on the image below.

WEDNESDAY 25th AUGUST
Opening Day

On Wednesday 25th August, the IBE European Committee will have its annual meeting and representatives from all IBE European member organisations are welcome to participate. In the evening, the 12th European Conference on Epilepsy & Society will officially commence with the Opening Ceremony and Reception. Later, there will be a Karaoke Evening for everyone to enjoy.

THURSDAY 26th AUGUST 

On Thursday there will be a variety of main topics such as Epilepsy brain and mind, Epilepsy and cognition, Epilepsies, AEDs and health issues, Ethics in epilepsy and Epilepsy is more a social condition than a medical one. During the afternoon there will be a Discussion Group and Parallel Sessions, and the day will be rounded off with a pleasant Social Evening.

8.00 - 9.00  ARIANE Room  Global Campaign Against Epilepsy - Launch of the European Report
 
One of the most significant events at the 12th European Conference on Epilepsy and Society in Porto will be the launch of the European Report on Epilepsy of the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy. This longawaited, important report, which is being published by the WHO, will be officially launched by Dr Matt Muijen, WHO Regional Advisor for Mental Health.

The report will bring together, for the first time, all available evidence from the region on the epidemiology, etiology and management of epilepsy and will be a valuable tool for those working for change at
national level.

MAIN SESSIONS

9.00 -  9.30   APOLLO Room  Epilepsy brain and mind
Niall Pender, Ireland
Chair: Athanasios Covanis, Greece   Co-Chair: José Lopes Lima, Portugal

9.30 - 10.00  APOLLO Room  Epilepsy and cognition
Melissa Filippini, Italy
Chair: Athanasios Covanis, Greece   Co-Chair: José Lopes Lima, Portugal



10.30 - 11.00 <-->  APOLLO Room  Epilepsies, AEDs and health issues
Janet Mifsud, Malta
Chair: Athanasios Covanis, Greece   Co-Chair: José Lopes Lima, Portugal

11.00 - 11.30  APOLLO Room  Ethics in epilepsy
Ley Sander, UK
Chair: Athanasios Covanis, Greece   Co-Chair: José Lopes Lima, Portugal

11.30-12.15  APOLLO Room  Epilepsy is more a social condition than a medical one
Victoria Dimech, Malta & José Lopes Lima, Portugal
Chair: Janet Mifsud, Malta      Co-chair: Aisling Farrell, Ireland



13.30-14.00  APOLLO Room  Brain Stimulation
Ley Sander, UK
Chair: Athanasios Covanis, Greece

14.00 - 15.30 DISCUSSION GROUP   APOLLO Room

Chair: Seppo Sarkkula, Finland
14.00 - 14.30 Driving and Epilepsy    
Mike Glynn, Ireland
14.30 - 14.50 Epilepsy in the family
An De Cock, Belgium
14.50 - 15.10 What is life like for people living with epilepsy
Per Olsen, Denmark
15.10 - 15.30 A chance for a better life (Mainstreaming Project)
Sam Whitmore, Scotland

PARALLEL SESSION 1 

16.00- 16.30 Group A:  APOLLO Room
Chair: Nelson Ruao, Portugal

16.00 - 16.15 School and work    
Nelson Ruao, Portugal
16.15 - 16.30 Emergency cards and warning devices
Aisling Farrell, Ireland



<-->16.00- 16.30 Group B:  ARIANE Room
Chair: Andriani Ioannidou

16.00 - 16.15 Best practice in twinning of IBE Members
Seppo Sarkkula, Finland
16.15 - 16.30 Personal development opportunities    
Michael Alexa, Austria

 

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PARALLEL SESSION 2

16.30- 17.00 Group A: ARIANE Room
Chair: Nelson Ruao, Portugal

16.30 - 16.45 School and work
Nelson Ruao, Portugal
16.45 - 17.00 Emergency cards and warning devices
Aisling Farrell, Ireland

16.30- 17.00 Group B:  APOLLO Room
Chair: Andriani Ioannidou

16.30 - 16.45  Best practice in twinning of IBE Members
Seppo Sarkkula, Finland
16.45 - 17.00 Personal development opportunities
Michael Alexa, Austria

FRIDAY 27th AUGUST

The last day of the conference will cover three main topics: Photosensitivity and epilepsies, Treatment issues: the views of doctors, patients and industry and Influencing policy. After lunch, delegates will have the opportunity to present their posters during an hour especially allocated for Poster Presentations. The afternoon Discussion Group will follow and the popular Youth Session will cover a topic entitled Sex, Drugs and Lifestyle choices. The conference will come to an end with a concluding session, which will highlight the different aspects and information conveyed throughout the conference. 

UCB BREAKFAST SESSION

8.00 - 9.15  - Inspiring Voices of people Living with Epilepsy    

UCB is a biopharmaceutical company based in Brussels, Belgium that is dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology.

UCB is committed to enhancing the lives of people with epilepsy, their families and carers and is working to create greater awareness and understanding of epilepsy.

The UCB Breakfast Seminar at the 12th European Congress of Epilepsy and Society is entitled ‘The Inspiring Voices of People Living with Epilepsy’.

Three people will share their personal experiences of epilepsy. By sharing real life situations it is our hope that encouragement and motivation can be provided to others living with epilepsy. The sharing of personal stories with epilepsy will be followed by a facilitated and interactive question and answer session with the audience.

MAIN SESSIONS

9.15 - 10.15   APOLLO Room  Photosensitivity and epilepsies
Graham Harding, UK & Athanasios Covanis, Greece  
Chair: Ley Sander, UK

10.45 - 11.45   APOLLO Room   Influencing policy 
Gay Mitchell, Ireland & Tarun Dua, Switzerland
Chair: Mike Glynn, Ireland

EUCARE POLITICAL ACTION GROUP

11.45 - 13.15 More concerted action for more change!
Chairs: Reeta Kalviainen, Finland and Janet Mifsud, Malta (Interactive Session)

Opening + Brief overview of PAG activities (including
Resolution) – Hanneke de Boer, Netherlands
ILAE/IBE Collaboration in Europe – the way forward – Michel Baulac, France
European Epilepsy Day: a short introduction – Mike Glynn, Ireland
Quiz    

14.00- 15.00 POSTER PRESENTATIONS  Poster area

Coordinator: Janet Mifsud, Malta

Poster presenters will present their posters.

14.00 - 15.00  WORKSHOP  EPI -  A comunicação social e a epilepsia
A comunicação social e a epilepsia - Ricardo Rego & Nelson Ruão, Portugal
Chair: Rosalvo Almeida, Portugal

15.00 - 16.00 DISCUSSION GROUP  APOLLO Room

Chair: Victoria Dimech, Malta

15.00 - 15.20 Training for success
Honor Broderick, Ireland
15.20 - 15.40 Working with politicians
Peter Scott, UK
15.40 - 16.00 Are smoking, caffeine, alcohol and stress risk factors for seizures? 
Judit Bekes, Hungary

16.00 - 17.00 YOUTH SESSION   APOLLO Room

Youth session: sex, drugs and lifestyle choices
Stine Strømsø, Norway

17.00 - 17.15 CONCLUDING SESSION   APOLLO Room

Athanasios Covanis, Greece & José Lopes Lima, Portugal