Once a year, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the most important political decision-makers, business leaders, representatives from research and science, technology and culture, philanthropy, NGOs and philanthropy come together to discuss global challenges and develop potential solutions. Just a short distance from the main venue of the WEF, the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative hosted – in the Brain House - an engaging program to emphasize the critical connection between brain health and global challenges.

In a world where discussions about artificial intelligence, political divisions and climate challenges take center stage, leaders realize  what the most important human abilities to create a prosperous future are  - our capacity to reason, adjust, and work together. On the main agenda, topics like brain health, brain capital, and strategic brain plans were highlighted, which were discussed in the conceding session on January 23 by  Lucy Perez (McKinsey), Christa Studzinski (Ontario Brain Institute), Cara Altimus (Milken Institute), George Vradenburg (Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative), Andy Moose (World Economic Forum), and Claudio Bassetti (European Brain Council and SFCNS Swiss Brain Health Plan).

Looking ahead to 2025, brain health continues to gain momentum on the global agenda, with efforts to foster collaborations and partnerships among like-minded stakeholders. These initiatives aim to strengthen the GlobalBrainCoalition and expand cooperation with the InternationalAlliance for national brain plans.

We are delighted that Prof. Claudio Bassetti and Prof. Indrit Bègue, chair and  member of the SFCNS Swiss Brain Health Board, respectively, were able to attend the WEF and present the work done in Switzerland and globally including the creation of an international alliance of national brain plans (SFCNS 2nd Swiss Brain Health Plan Stakeholder Meeting in Bern, 2024) . Following presentations at the EBC-organized UNGA events in New York in 2023  and 2024  and other activities at European level (e.g. at the European Parliament) the SBHP has confirmed its value as a model to develop national plans.

If business leaders as well as political representatives now recognize the importance of brain health, we are on the right track: No health without brain health!

Photo (from left to right):
Andy Moses (World Economic Forum), George Vradenburg (Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative), Lucy Perez (McKinsey Health Institute), Chista Studzinksi (Ontario Brain Institute), Cara Altimus (Milken Institute), Claudio Bassetti (European Brain Council and SFCNS Swiss Brain Health Plan)