Ever since I realized how critically global neuroscience needs political support from the international community, I have believed that this is a perfect opportunity for a small nation like Iceland to use its influence to advance neurological research worldwide.
The Icelandic government has responded to my request and deserves recognition for successfully convincing the Nordic Council of Ministers to make spinal cord injuries one of their priority projects. This achievement demonstrates that a small nation like Iceland can take the lead in bringing important global issues to the forefront—as long as it remains steadfast in its efforts.
Now, we Icelanders must continue supporting the nervous system—doing so would be a great service to humanity. Our next goal is to ensure that the nervous system becomes an official Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) at the United Nations in September.
Making the nervous system an SDG would bring global attention to neurological disorders and increase funding for neuroscience research. The Icelandic government has been working toward this within the United Nations, but they report that the effort is facing significant challenges. However, if Iceland could demonstrate that the Icelandic people demand global action on neuroscience, it could be the decisive factor in pushing this initiative forward. Often, it is the grassroots movements that achieve the greatest impact.
For this reason, the following organizations:
- SEM Organization
- MND Association
- MS Association
- Mental Health Alliance (Geðhjálp)
- Parkinson’s Association
- Lauf Epilepsy Association
- Icelandic Spinal Cord Injury Institute
- Heilaheill – The Icelandic Brain Association
…are calling on all Icelanders to stand with the nervous system by signing their names in support of this initiative at taugakerfid.is.
Everything is at stake for the nervous system, as the next set of Sustainable Development Goals will not be established until 2030—and we cannot afford to wait that long for meaningful action.
