About Wanda
[Mission] - [Objectives] - [Jurisdiction] - [Foundation] - [Assembly] - [Structure] - [Policy]

Mission

WANDA seeks a world in which neuromuscular disorders are understood and eradicated and in which the people affected are well supported.

Objectives

	to encourage and facilitate cooperation between national associations, in order to help people with Neuromuscular Disorders and work towards a cure and eradication of the disorders"
	to encourage the formation of Neuromuscular Disorder Associations in countries without existing bodies, by providing information and advice
	to develop strategies for better care and services for people with Neuromuscular Disorders and support their families
	to facilitate swift dissemination of information on treatment and research findings which may be of use to Neuromuscular Disorders associations around the world
	to make effective representation, on request, to individual governments to ensure they are aware of the needs of their citizens with Neuromuscular Disorders and their families
	to be accepted by international authorities such as the WHO, UNESCO and WFN as the appropriate authority to be consulted and to make suggestions on issues affecting people who have Neuromuscular Disorders and their families, researchers and service providers

Jurisdiction

	WANDA will work on a global and on regional  level in the field of neuromuscular disorders.
	WANDA will not work on a national level unless there is no association for neuromuscular diseases or unless specifically asked by the national association.
	WANDA will endeavour to establish associations in countries where none exists.
	WANDA will have an active approach towards the establishment of continental or regional alliances

Foundation

WANDA was founded in Munich in 1990 during the International Quadriennial Congress on neuromuscular diseases.

Assembly

The Board of Management will convene a quadriennial general meeting, at the same time and venue and in conjunction with the International Congress on Neuromuscular Disorders for the following purposes

Structure

WANDA chose for a continental structure in order to do justice to equal representation and to its constitutional objective to encourage the formation of associations for neuromuscular diseases in countries where none exist.
The WANDA representatives in the various continents develop their own system of communication with the national associations for neuromuscular diseases dependent from regional needs and strutures.

Policy

(Provisional texts)

Statement of principles

WANDA is a catalysing , stimulating and facilitating organisation with a focus on:
	NMD-related issues
	Increasing global awareness policy development & strategic issues
	Strengthening emerging NMDAs
	NMD related problems in developing countries
	Empowering families involved in NMD
Is alert for new developments
	As far as of interest for NMDAs
Does not work on the national level unless
	requested by the national NMDA
	there is no NMDA in that country
Invites members
	To perform executive WANDA tasks

These statements originates from a discussion in the Vancouver assembly (2002)

Introduction for WANDA policy
for International NMD-Specific Groups (INMD spec groups)

A. International NMD-Specific Groups are of great value for

	Families involved
	#	travelling
	#	exchange of ideas, programs, news
	#	inventory of complaints, policy issues
	#	awareness
	#	mobilising sc. & fin. Resources
	#	global representation
	Research
	#	encouraging scientists
	#	data
	#	trials

B. International NMD-Specific Groups can potentially contribute to

	fragmentation
	disharmony
	discredit image NMDAs
	inadequate use of human & financial resources

C. International NMD-Specific Groups will increase in

	number
	quality
	influence
	imeaning

D. Wanda proposes (special) membership

On the condition that International NMD-Specific Groups agree with the concept that NMDAs on the national level function as umbrella for NMD-Spec. group.

E. Wanda will every four years focus on a specific NMD to

	increase awareness
	encourage collaboration
	focus on epidemiology of this NMD
	to draft a swot analysis made
	to contribute to strategy development

F. Wanda offers to International NMD-specific groups

	its website as a host
	provision of opportunities for representation and meetings