Persons with MS International Committee (PwMSIC)

The PwMSIC serves in an advisory capacity to the MSIF Council and Board and seeks to ensure that the needs and aspirations of people with MS are central to all of MSIF’s work. Each MSIF member society nominates one person with MS to serve on the PwMSIC.

Roles and responsibilities:

• To provide a link between people with MS (pwMS) and MSIF in conjunction with national MS societies


• To ensure that pwMS are involved in developing MSIF strategy and implementing agreed policy


• To participate and assist in the development and delivery of MSIF projects


• To advocate, identify and propose relevant projects, policies and programmes for MSIF consideration


• PwMSIC members commit to supporting MSIF through undertaking, in conjunction with their national society and other members of the PwMSIC, tasks requested by the MSIF Council or Board


• PwMSIC members engage in regular communication with their national MS society, MSIF and its Secretariat

The Chairman

The PwMSIC Chairman is nominated and elected by the PwMSIC to serve for a term of four years. The Chairman presides at official meetings of the PwMSIC and the Executive Committee. The Chairman automatically becomes a member of the MSIF Board and coordinates activities of the PwMSIC with the MSIF and Secretariat.

The current Chairman is Allen O'Connor from Ireland.

The Vice Chairman

A Vice Chairman is nominated and elected by the PwMSIC to serve for a term of four years. The Vice Chairman supports the work of the Chairman and coordinates activities in the Chairman’s absence.

The current Vice Chairman is Claudio Conforti from Italy

PwMSIC Executive Committee

The PwMSIC Chairman chairs an Executive Committee that comprises of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and an additional five to eight members selected by the Chairman. Additional members can be selected from the PwMSIC and other pwMS (non-PwMSIC members), selected from MSIF member societies, for their specific expertise when necessary.

The principal tasks of the Executive Committee are to:

• update and communicate with the PwMSIC membership


• inform, orient and involve new members in liaison with the MSIF Secretariat


• develop, review and recommend activities, projects and programmes and ensure that the PwMSIC fulfils its purpose


• inform the development of the Living with MS Day event


• guide the development, awarding and monitoring of:



• Evelyn Nicholson Award for International Caregiver (annual)


• James D. Wolfensohn Award for International Person with MS (biennial)

PwMSIC Executive Committee Members

Allen O'Connor, Ireland (Chairman)
Claudio Claudio, Italy (Vice Chairman)

Ellen Boyd, USA
Reni de Boer, Netherlands
Guy De Vos, Belgium
Trevor Farrell, Australia
Héctor García Caballero, Mexico
Martin Stevens, UK