The two key annual events in the international multiple sclerosis (MS) movement often fall on October. This year, Barcelona hosted the congresses and welcomed leaders of the movement to stand against MS together. Dr Yan Vlasov, President, the Russian MS Society (RuMSS), also attended the MS International Federation (MSIF)’s Global Networking Meetings on 2-6 October and the 31^st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) that took place on 7-10 October.

MSIF’s meetings are a traditional harbor for national leaders of the MS movement to meet in person. Yet, the organizers seek to make the event as interesting as possible, so attendees debated during workshops and MSIF committees sessions informed by current issues.

The agenda included discussions on the strategic plan over 2017-2021. The attendees also elected MSIF’s leadership, listened to guest speakers and could visit the employment centre run by the Barcelona-based MS Foundation.

Then, Dr Vlasov attended the ECTRIMS Congress. The National Neurologic Society of Spain was created in Barcelona in 1949, so the venue was chosen in the right place.

The ECTRIMS Congress-2015 tackled such aspects of seeing MS in future as early diagnostics with a differentiation approach, individualized treatment for MS to improve its efficiency, environmental and latitudinal effects, etc.

The Congress also considered measures to prevent the disease, which is new for MS researchers. The attendees paid attention to optimizing care for patients with MS and looked into issues of MS neuro-pathogenesis.

To make the ECTRIMS congress agenda even more interesting, training and poster sessions were available, and representatives of nursing services, the Charcot Foundation and International Multiple Sclerosis Cognition Society had been invited.

These arrangements along with the fascinating atmosphere of Catalonia – the cradle of Gaudí, Picasso, Dalí, Montserrat Caballé, Josep Carreras, and the 1992 Olympic Games were held there – ensured successful world events to be held there!

Pavel Zlobin
Vice President, RuMSS