Latest news with #WFN
Cision Canada
7 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
2025 World Brain Day Dedicated to Brain Health for All Ages
LONDON, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ -- The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) is pleased to announce Brain Health for All Ages as the theme for the 2025 World Brain Day (WBD 2025), taking place on Tuesday, July 22. This global campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of supporting brain health throughout every stage of life. "Brain health isn't a moment in time—it's a lifelong commitment," said Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, President of WFN. "World Brain Day 2025 is our call to action to protect neurological well-being from the earliest stages of development, through childhood, adulthood and into older age. It's a commitment to care, equity, and access for all." Neurological disorders remain the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the second leading cause of death globally. Yet many of these conditions can be prevented, or better managed with early intervention, education, and equitable access to care. This year's campaign emphasizes five key messages: awareness, education, prevention, access, and advocacy. Brain health must be supported across the full human lifespan: Pre-Conception: A parent's health and habits shape a child's brain even before birth. Good nutrition, regular check-ups and lifestyle choices form a strong foundation for brain health. Pregnancy & Postnatal: A mother's physical and emotional well-being is critical for healthy brain development in the womb. Prenatal and postnatal care, proper nutrition and stress management protect both mother and child. Early Childhood & Adolescence: Early life experiences influence learning, emotional growth and social development. Safe environments, immunizations, and positive parenting support long-term brain health. Adulthood: A balanced lifestyle habits—healthy eating, sleep, exercise, and stress control—reduce the risk of neurological disorders. Aging Adults: Staying socially engaged helps preserve independence and quality of life in later years, in addition to regular check-ups for early detection of conditions ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. "As we move into 2025, it's more important than ever to make brain health a global priority," said Prof. Tissa Wijeratne, Co-Chair of World Brain Day. "Everyone, no matter their age or where they live, deserves the chance to live with a healthy brain. This year, we're focusing on fairness in care, supporting families, and making brain health something that truly matters to everyone." "The earlier we prioritize brain health, the greater our chance to reduce the burden of neurological disease," said Dr. David Dodick, Emeritus Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic and World Brain Day Co-Chair. "This year's theme reminds us that brain health is a journey—not a milestone. It begins before birth, refined in childhood, and preserved through adulthood and older age, influencing our potential, resilience, and quality of life at every age." World Brain Day is a global call to action for both individuals and institutions to share meaningful information and activities on brain health. July 22 is a day dedicated to protecting and promoting brain health across the entire lifespan. Visit for more information and access to campaign tools. Established by the WFN in 2014, World Brain Day continues to serve as a global platform for raising public awareness on key neurological health topics. Individuals, societies, and countries are encouraged to participate and amplify their voices on social media using hashtags such as #WorldBrainDay, #WBD2025, and #BrainHealthForAllAges. About the World Federation of Neurology With support from its 124 national neurological Member Societies, the World Federation of Neurology fosters quality neurology and brain health worldwide by promoting neurological education and training, with an emphasis on under-resourced areas of the world. As a non-state actor in official relations, WFN supports the World Health Organization (WHO) efforts to give everyone an equal chance to live a healthy life. With Member Societies around the globe, WFN unites the world's neurologists to ensure quality neurology and advocate for people to have better brain health. Learn more about the World Federation of Neurology at
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2025 World Brain Day Dedicated to Brain Health for All Ages
LONDON, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ -- The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) is pleased to announce Brain Health for All Ages as the theme for the 2025 World Brain Day (WBD 2025), taking place on Tuesday, July 22. This global campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of supporting brain health throughout every stage of life. "Brain health isn't a moment in time—it's a lifelong commitment," said Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, President of WFN. "World Brain Day 2025 is our call to action to protect neurological well-being from the earliest stages of development, through childhood, adulthood and into older age. It's a commitment to care, equity, and access for all." Neurological disorders remain the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the second leading cause of death globally. Yet many of these conditions can be prevented, or better managed with early intervention, education, and equitable access to care. This year's campaign emphasizes five key messages: awareness, education, prevention, access, and advocacy. Brain health must be supported across the full human lifespan: Pre-Conception: A parent's health and habits shape a child's brain even before birth. Good nutrition, regular check-ups and lifestyle choices form a strong foundation for brain health. Pregnancy & Postnatal: A mother's physical and emotional well-being is critical for healthy brain development in the womb. Prenatal and postnatal care, proper nutrition and stress management protect both mother and child. Early Childhood & Adolescence: Early life experiences influence learning, emotional growth and social development. Safe environments, immunizations, and positive parenting support long-term brain health. Adulthood: A balanced lifestyle habits—healthy eating, sleep, exercise, and stress control—reduce the risk of neurological disorders. Aging Adults: Staying socially engaged helps preserve independence and quality of life in later years, in addition to regular check-ups for early detection of conditions ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. "As we move into 2025, it's more important than ever to make brain health a global priority," said Prof. Tissa Wijeratne, Co-Chair of World Brain Day. "Everyone, no matter their age or where they live, deserves the chance to live with a healthy brain. This year, we're focusing on fairness in care, supporting families, and making brain health something that truly matters to everyone." "The earlier we prioritize brain health, the greater our chance to reduce the burden of neurological disease," said Dr. David Dodick, Emeritus Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic and World Brain Day Co-Chair. "This year's theme reminds us that brain health is a journey—not a milestone. It begins before birth, refined in childhood, and preserved through adulthood and older age, influencing our potential, resilience, and quality of life at every age." World Brain Day is a global call to action for both individuals and institutions to share meaningful information and activities on brain health. July 22 is a day dedicated to protecting and promoting brain health across the entire lifespan. Visit for more information and access to campaign tools. Established by the WFN in 2014, World Brain Day continues to serve as a global platform for raising public awareness on key neurological health topics. Individuals, societies, and countries are encouraged to participate and amplify their voices on social media using hashtags such as #WorldBrainDay, #WBD2025, and #BrainHealthForAllAges. About the World Federation of Neurology With support from its 124 national neurological Member Societies, the World Federation of Neurology fosters quality neurology and brain health worldwide by promoting neurological education and training, with an emphasis on under-resourced areas of the world. As a non-state actor in official relations, WFN supports the World Health Organization (WHO) efforts to give everyone an equal chance to live a healthy life. With Member Societies around the globe, WFN unites the world's neurologists to ensure quality neurology and advocate for people to have better brain health. Learn more about the World Federation of Neurology at Media Contact:Ashley Logan, Yakkety Yakashley@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE World Federation of Neurology View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Express
28-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Express
Kinabatangan woman's bond with jumbos wins recognition
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Nurzhafarina receiving the 2025 Whitley Fund for Nature award from WFN patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London April 30. (Pic: Facebook/Seratu Aatai) Kota Kinabalu: It was as if destiny had written her path. For over two decades, Nurzhafarina Othman's life journey in Sabah has been deeply intertwined with the majestic presence of the Bornean elephant, particularly within the lush, tropical rainforests of the Lower Kinabatangan. What began in 2003 as a decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) unexpectedly opened the door to an entirely new world, one that allowed her to understand, in a profoundly holistic way, the ecology, social structure and behaviour of the largest land mammal in South-east Asia. The native of Kedah has since dedicated her life to studying every aspect of the Bornean elephant's life cycle as a senior lecturer at the UMS Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, playing a vital role in the conservation of these gentle giants, whose future is increasingly threatened. Her journey is even more inspiring with her leadership as the founder and director of Seratu Aatai, a non-profit dedicated to elephant conservation, an unwavering commitment that earned global recognition in April when she was awarded the prestigious Whitley Award, often known as the 'Green Oscars'. Speaking to Bernama, she shared how a unique and powerful bond naturally formed between her and the elephants during her encounters in the field, which revealed a side of the species many never see, sensitive, affectionate and intelligent creatures capable of deep emotional expression. It is a connection built not just on science, but on mutual respect and understanding, that continues to shape her mission to protect these extraordinary animals and the fragile ecosystems they call home. Advertisement 'There's a feeling that we chose each other. At first, studying Bornean elephants was just a means to complete my degree. But the more time I spent with them, it felt as though they were telling me to stay,' said the young scientist softly in a recent exclusive interview. 'There has always been an opportunity to learn, to understand them more deeply. It's as if I was meant to be part of their story,' she added with a quiet conviction. As she recounted her journey, Nurzhafarina shared that she has never experienced aggression from the pachyderms; instead, her presence has always been met with calm, almost as if her wild and resilient companions recognised that she was not there to intrude, but to help protect and preserve their world. 'The elephants gave me their time. I spent so much of it with them that I came to know 50 individual females by sight. I even named each one. I followed them for four years. I felt accepted, and at the same time, I kept learning from them. 'We often misunderstand them. Elephants don't attack. Yet we use words like 'attack' or say they 'invade' our space. But I don't think those words are fair because the truth is, they were here long before us,' she explained. It's this quiet truth that fuels Nurzhafarina's lifelong mission to help humans and elephants coexist with understanding and respect, as she believes that local communities sharing the same landscape with Bornean elephants must learn to live in harmony, not through fear, but through tolerance and empathy. Founded in 2018, Seratu Aatai, which means 'united in heart' in the Sungai language, works closely with these communities through education and outreach to promote deeper awareness and compassion, not just for elephants, but for all forms of wildlife. Seratu Aatai is the only conservation group in Sabah solely dedicated to the protection of the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) in Lower Kinabatangan, a rich, biodiverse region over 300 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, also home to orangutans, sun bears and the iconic proboscis monkey. The first time Nurzhafarina witnessed the reality of life for Bornean elephants in the wild, it changed her perspective forever. She saw not just the beauty of these gentle giants, but the struggle they face in navigating what little remains of their natural home, forests now surrounded and fragmented by human activity. That moment stirred something deep within her, a calling to become a voice for the elephants, a bridge between human and animal, so these creatures might continue to play their vital role in the forest ecosystem and the wider balance of nature. Speaking about her recent recognition as a recipient of the Whitley Award 2025, Nurzhafarina admitted it was difficult to put her emotions into words. Presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the award is known for its intense competitiveness and global prestige. On April 30, she received the £50,000 (approximately RM287,000) award from WFN Patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London, as a powerful endorsement of her work to protect the estimated 300 remaining Bornean elephants in eastern Sabah. The award also recognises her innovative approach in engaging stakeholders in the oil palm industry across the Lower Kinabatangan, encouraging elephant-friendly practices and building a network of safe corridors for the world's smallest elephant species. 'This award comes with great responsibility. I am grateful to the Whitley platform because it opens up more opportunities for me to share the story of the Bornean elephants. It also gives confidence to everyone working in the field that we are truly on the right path,' she said. For her, this is not just a career, it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the knowledge and skills she has been given to protect the Bornean elephant, a species classified as 'Endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. While she acknowledges that uniting all parties in the conservation effort is challenging, Nurzhafarina hopes the local communities will join her in this vital mission. She believes it is essential to preserve Kinabatangan as a symbol of harmony and coexistence between humans and wildlife. 'I see Kinabatangan as a very special place. Despite the many challenges in maintaining wildlife habitats, this region remains resilient and strong. 'Sabah and Borneo are renowned for their natural wealth, with forests and wildlife that exist nowhere else. This is what draws people here. So, we must find a balance between development and environmental conservation,' she emphasised. Her words echo a deep bond, not only with the elephants she protects but with the land they share, reminding us all of the delicate harmony that sustains life in this unique corner of the world. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
26-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Award-winning conservationist unites Bornean elephants and humans
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Nurzhafarina Othman is one of six conservationists worldwide to receive the 2025 Whitley Award. (Bernama pic) Kota Kinabalu: Deep in the lush forests of Borneo lies a story not just about conflict, but about the coexistence of humans and elephants learning to share the same land. Malaysian elephant conservationist Nurzhafarina Othman said one could spend a lifetime studying the Bornean elephant ('Elephas maximus borneensis'), and yet still miss half the story if one doesn't also listen to the humans who live alongside them. According to the 2025 Whitley Award recipient, protecting Bornean elephants requires balance, and success lies not only in understanding the science of conservation but also in connecting with the hearts of local communities who have long hosted these gentle giants. 'We can't focus only on the elephants,' she said. 'They're actually easier to learn about: they don't change their minds easily, so they're easier to understand. 'Humans, on the other hand, can be supportive one day and change the next. But they're not just bystanders, they're key players … so, we're trying to balance both approaches to ensure we achieve meaningful conservation.' Nurzhafarina, a senior lecturer at the Tropical Biology and Conservation Institute at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), was recently honoured with the UK award also known as the 'Green Oscar', presented by the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN). Advertisement The prize, which recognises her efforts in protecting the Bornean elephant, comes with a £50,000 grant (about RM287,000), and was presented by WFN patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London on April 30. 'This award comes with great responsibility,' she told Bernama. 'I am grateful to the Whitley platform because it opens up more opportunities for me to share the story of the Bornean elephants. It also gives confidence to everyone working in the field that we are truly on the right path.' Asked by FMT Lifestyle if she had any thoughts on the recent case involving a young elephant that died in a collision on the East-West Highway, she replied: 'I don't have much to say except that it is heartbreaking, and it's not the first case. In Sabah, we must do more to prevent roads from cutting through key wildlife areas. 'It doesn't matter who's behind the development: agencies must take responsibility and invest in real measures to protect elephants and other species.' Hearts united to save elephants Nurzhafarina highlighted that Bornean elephants are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to their small and declining population. The founder and director of Seratu Aatai, a non-profit organisation whose name means 'united hearts', estimates that only around 250 of them remain in Sabah. According to the IUCN, Bornean elephants have lost 60% of their forest habitat in the past four decades owing to logging and palm-oil cultivation. In working with communities affected by elephant-related issues, Nurzhafarina's team found that many locals are unsure what to do when elephants enter their areas. 'These people's crops, like oil palm, are their main source of income. When fear sets in, we need to stand with them, help them understand, and work together to find solutions,' Nurzhafarina explained. Seratu Aatai plays a vital role in bringing together all stakeholders and nurturing a more positive outlook by shifting how people perceive elephants. Nurzhafarina's goal is to help communities accept that elephants 'belong to everyone' and are part of their shared environment. 'We often hear about human-elephant conflict, and we want to change the way people see that issue. Awareness does not instantly lead to action. We need to walk alongside them, learning together what works and what doesn't. 'We try to be the bridge between voices that often go unheard and those with more resources, like government agencies or global organisations such as WFN. Together, we run programmes with communities to understand elephant behaviour, track their movements, and guide them to safer areas.' Nurzhafarina stressed that solutions must be holistic – it's not simply a matter of relocating the elephants elsewhere. 'We don't want an 'as long as it's not in my backyard' mindset. Instead, everyone should tackle this as a shared responsibility.' According to her, one of the biggest challenges faced by communities is lack of resources. Many affected villagers are smallholders surrounded by large oil-palm estates that can afford infrastructure like electric fencing or drainage systems. But elephants are more likely to enter small farms, making it essential for big industry players, especially owners of large plantations, to share responsibility in addressing the problem. 'Communities must also be given the tools and support to implement effective protection strategies. Unfortunately, most of them just can't afford to do that on their own,' she pointed out. Previous studies by her team show that the people of Sabah understand the root causes of this conflict and genuinely value elephants. But their biggest concern remains the issue of elephants entering their living areas. Nurzhafarina, who is among six conservationists worldwide to receive the 2025 Whitley Award, said the situation calls for a more comprehensive approach. 'We need to help communities understand that elephant habitats are shrinking. The solution requires collaboration from everyone … we need to work on a larger scale, beyond isolated efforts.' Still, she acknowledges that bringing all stakeholders together with a shared vision remains a challenge – one that will require ongoing cooperation, trust and empathy. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
17-05-2025
- Science
- Barnama
Bridging Worlds: Nurzhafarina's Mission To Unite Communities And Endangered Bornean Elephants
KOTA KINABALU, May 17 (Bernama) -- Deep in the lush forests of Borneo lies a story not just about conflict, but about the coexistence of humans and elephants learning to share the same land. Much like finding the perfect recipe, conserving Bornean elephants requires balance. According to the 2025 Whitley Award recipient, success lies not only in understanding the science of conservation, but also in connecting with the hearts of the local communities who have long hosted these gentle giants. In an exclusive interview with Bernama, Dr Nurzhafarina Othman, a leading Malaysian elephant conservationist, said one could spend a lifetime studying the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) - the way they move, eat and live, yet still miss half the story if we don't also listen to the people who live alongside them. It's a journey of understanding between two worlds, woven into the complex rhythm of life. Nurzhafarina, a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), was recently honoured with the 2025 Whitley Award, also known as the 'Green Oscar', presented by the United Kingdom-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN). 'Humans, on the other hand, can be supportive one day and change the next. But they're not just bystanders, they're key players in this ongoing conservation story. So we're trying to balance both approaches to ensure we achieve meaningful conservation,' she said. 'Conservation must happen on two levels. We need to understand elephants, and at the same time, we need to understand people. We can't focus only on the elephants. They're actually easier to learn about. They don't change their minds easily, so they're easier to understand. The prestigious award recognises her tireless efforts in protecting the Bornean elephant and comes with a grant of £50,000 (about RM287,000), presented by WFN Patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society, London, on April 30. Nurzhafarina, who is also the founder and director of 'Seratu Aatai', a non-profit organisation whose name means 'united hearts', said the Bornean elephants are listed as 'Endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to their small and declining population. She estimates that only around 250 of them remain in Sabah. She said that in working with communities affected by elephant-related issues, her team found that many locals often felt isolated and unsure of what to do when elephants entered their areas. 'Imagine, these elephants are huge, and the people don't know what to do. Their crops, like oil palm, are their main source of income. When fear sets in, we need to stand with them, help them understand and work together to find solutions,' Nurzhafarina said. As such, she said Seratu Aatai plays a vital role in 'uniting hearts', bringing together all stakeholders and nurturing a more positive outlook on conservation by shifting how people perceive elephants. She said elephants are often viewed as the responsibility of the government, NGOs or institutions like UMS, but in truth, they belong to everyone, especially the communities living closest to them. Her goal is to help communities see that elephants are part of their shared environment. 'We often hear about human-elephant conflict, but we want to change the way people see that issue. Awareness doesn't instantly lead to action. We need to walk alongside them, learning together what works and what doesn't. We're always listening. 'We try to be the bridge between voices that often go unheard and those with more resources, like government agencies or global organisations such as WFN. Together, we run programmes with communities to understand elephant behaviour, track their movements and guide them to safer areas,' she said. She said solutions must be holistic, not just relocating problems elsewhere. 'We don't want a mindset of 'as long as it's not in my backyard'. Instead, we want everyone to unite in tackling this as a shared responsibility,' Nurzhafarina said. According to Nurzhafarina, one of the biggest challenges communities face is a lack of resources. Many affected villagers are smallholders surrounded by large oil palm estates that can afford infrastructure like electric fencing or drainage systems. As a result, elephants are more likely to enter small farms, making it essential for big industry players, especially large plantation owners, to share responsibility in addressing the issue, she said. 'While law enforcement is important, communities must also be given the tools and support to implement effective protection strategies. Unfortunately, most of them just can't afford to do that on their own,' she added. She said previous studies by her team showed that the people of Sabah do understand the root causes of this conflict and genuinely value elephants. However, their biggest concern is the elephants entering their living areas. Nurzhafarina said the situation calls for a more comprehensive approach. 'We need to help communities understand that elephant habitats are shrinking. The solution requires collaboration from everyone, not just smallholders, but also large landowners. We need to work on a larger scale, beyond isolated efforts,' she stressed. Still, she acknowledged that bringing all stakeholders together with a shared vision remains a challenge, and one that will require ongoing cooperation, trust and empathy. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
