The World Dementia Council was established following the 2013 Dementia Summit hosted by the UK government as part of its G7 presidency. It has a board of international experts from across the dementia field, a number of government members and an executive staff. The Council’s mission is to support and challenge the international community to deliver on the ambition from the 2013 Dementia Summit to make advances in the development of treatments, understanding and implementation of risk reduction, awareness of the condition and provision of quality care for people living with the disease. The G8 communique sets out a belief that through international attention and collaboration, information sharing, and global networks, advances would be made faster that would improve the lives of people living with dementia today and in the years ahead. The Council aims to provide thought leadership for the dementia community and to advance the cause through advocacy to international organizations. The Council delivers its mission through:

  • Drawing attention to the urgency of the cause and the need for action from national decision makers by engaging them through international forums (such as the G7 and G20) and through participation in Council events.
  • Engaging national policymakers through events, providing evidence and examples of how policy challenges are being addressed globally, and making recommendations for action.
  • Networking senior international stakeholders, within the dementia field and beyond, with each other and with policymakers.
  • Our members

    The World Dementia Council has 24 members working across six continents. Council members are global leaders who work in research, academia, industry and civil society. The Council also includes members who are living with dementia. 

  • Our executive team

    The World Dementia Council has a small executive team based in London. It is led by the executive director, Lenny Shallcross.

  • Our history

    The World Dementia Council (WDC) was created in February 2014, following the G8 Dementia Summit in London in December 2013.