On March 18, 2025, CBRS Executive Director Dr. Jennie Z. Young represented Canada at the International Brain Health Plans Summit in the European Parliament, organized by the European Brain Council and hosted by MEP Aurelijus Veryga.
The meeting gathered leaders advancing national brain health strategies, with contributions from Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Spain, Poland, Finland, Denmark, and Canada, alongside the World Health Organization and European institutions.
Dr. Young presented Canada’s call for a Canadian Brain Research Initiative (CBRI) — a national framework to unite and scale brain research — highlighting how it connects to global priorities of innovation, productivity, and workforce resilience.
Across countries, a common message emerged:
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Brain health requires a holistic approach across the lifespan
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Research must be fully integrated into health systems
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Policy action is needed beyond health ministries, embedding brain health in economic and workforce agendas
With Canada holding the G7 Presidency, CBRS emphasized the importance of embedding brain health within global priorities such as innovation, productivity, and workforce resilience.
CBRS is proud to bring Canadian expertise to these global conversations and to connect international momentum back home. As part of our ongoing work, we continue to position brain health as a policy and investment priority — in Canada and worldwide.
