The development of international cooperation of epilepsy in Asia

The development of international cooperation among epilepsy professionals in Asia has three milestones: the Epilepsy International Congress in Kyoto in 1981, the formation of the Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Organization in Shizuoka in 1991, and the 4 th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress in Nagano in 2002. The Epilepsy International Congress in Kyoto was the beginning of awareness of the importance of international exchange in Asia. The Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Organization was formed to promote exchange and cooperation among national epilepsy organizations in Asia. Since 1996, Asian Oceanian Epilepsy Congress has been held two yearly, the first was in Seoul. The 4 th Asian and Oceanian Congress in 2002 showed great progress in the scientific program and the large number of participants. In 1996, the Commission on Asian and Oceanian Affairs was formed by the International League Against Epilepsy to promote the development of epilepsy in the region. Since 2000, the Commission has organized epilepsy teaching workshops in various economically less advantaged countries in Asia. The Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Academy is presently being planned to further promote epilepsy education in the region.