On behalf of the entire team involved in the organisation of WCN2005 it is a pleasure to invite you to come to Sydney to celebrate again the major gathering of neurologists that occurs worldwide every four years. This creates a unique opportunity for you to update your knowledge in cutting edge areas of neurology and the neurosciences from leaders in their field internationally. It is also an ideal opportunity for you and your colleagues to present original material for peer review and dissemination of information to one of the broadest neuroscience communities in the world. As you can see from the program outline, almost every conceivable aspect of the neurosciences is represented.

Not to be underestimated are the collaborative links which may be forged at meetings such as this. Many of us look forward to reaffirming old friendships and creating new ones in such a conducive environment. We know that many of you look forward to attending this meeting for this very reason.

Also, the opportunity exists to spend time in one of the most beautiful cities in the world with such icons as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as attractions to name but a few. We look forward to your attendance and welcoming you in our typically hospitable Australian fashion.

Professor Geoffrey Donnan
Chairman

Dear Colleagues

I know that neurologists the world over will be eagerly awaiting November 2005 when many of us, who would otherwise be shivering in mid-winter, will have the opportunity of joining our friends “down under” for an Australian spring in the beautiful city of Sydney.

The local Organising Committee for this, the XVIIIth World Congress of Neurology, is putting together a most impressive program for us all, replete with Nobel Prizewinning speakers, teaching courses, symposia, debates and breakfast sessions, as well as a social and tours program that will feature those aspects of landscape and wildlife that make Australia the unique country that it is.

Sydney has fast become one of the most sought after destinations for international meetings of all kinds and, having personally attended the Planning Meeting for the Congress in July 2003, I can vouch for the unrivalled spectacle presented by the city’s waterfront and, of course, the incomparable Opera House. I urge you to make plans now to register for WCN 2005. You will find the experience scientifically and sociallyrewarding and help demonstrate the truly global reach of our fast developing World Federation.

I look forward to seeing you in the Southern hemisphere in November, 2005.

Jun Kimura
President
World Federation of Neurology

The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) The WFN is the international body for societies and associations of medical specialists committed to the study of neurological diseases. The WFN oversees the running of the international Congress.

The Australian Association of Neurologists (AAN) AAN's membership is open to training and practising neurologists, clinicians, scientists and health professionals interested in neurology or neuroscience in Australia. AAN was selected as the host organisation for the WCN2005.