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Our members
The Council is led by a board of international experts from across the dementia field together with national government representatives. It is chaired by Professor Philip Scheltens, with Dr. Joanne Pike serving as vice chair.
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Our executive team
The executive team runs the Council’s programmes on a day-to-day basis working with members of the Council to deliver activities around the world. It is led by the executive director, Lenny Shallcross.
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Our history
The World Dementia Council (WDC) was created in February 2014, following the G8 Dementia Summit in London in December 2013.
The World Dementia Council (WDC) was established by the UK Government following the G8 Dementia Summit held in London in 2013. The Council’s mission is to support and challenge the international community to drive progress on the commitments made at the Dementia Summit. This includes advancing the development of diagnostics and treatments, improving the understanding and implementation of risk reduction and brain health, raising awareness of dementia, and ensuring the provision of quality care for those living with the disease. The G8 communiqué outlined a belief that international collaboration, information sharing, and global networks will accelerate progress and improve the lives of people affected by dementia. The Council plays a leading role in this effort, advocating for dementia to remain a priority on the global agenda, providing thought leadership and building international networks.
To achieve its mission, the Council focuses on three key areas: raising the urgency of dementia by advocating to national political leaders through global platforms such as the G7, G20, Council-led events and working with advocacy organizations; convening events and providing evidence-based insights to help policymakers address key challenges and implement effective solutions; and connecting senior stakeholders across the dementia field and beyond, fostering collaboration with policymakers to drive action.
The Council is led by a board of global experts, drawn from around the world and across the dementia field who shape the organisation’s priorities. There are members from high-income countries as well as low- and middle-income countries. Council members work in industry, life sciences, venture capital, academia, care and advocacy. Alongside them there are national government members and representatives from international government bodies. It also has a board of trustees. Both the Council and trustees are chaired by Professor Philip Scheltens, with Dr. Joanne Pike serving as vice chair, and its executive team is led by executive director Lenny Shallcross.