Welcome
As the President of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), I am delighted to invite you to the 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting taking place between 8-11 October 2025 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The 2025 meeting will be a combined meeting with our longtime colleagues and friends of the Nordic Spinal Cord Society (NoSCoS).
The ISCoS Annual Scientific Meeting is always a forum where various clinicians and researchers in the field of Spinal Cord Damage come together to present their latest scientific work, network with colleagues from around the world, debate and discuss the latest development in the field and interact with consumers’ representative.
Spinal cord damage due to injury or disease is a life changing condition that requires the input of large number of professionals, that vary along the various stages of the person journey from the acute phase, into rehabilitation, and for the years to come thereafter until old age. It is therefore an opportunity to meet and engage with doctors from various disciplines, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, clinical psychologists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, case managers and others. What they all have in common is their passion to advance the care and treatment of spinal injured persons.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the various exhibitors showing the latest advanced technologies that help and make life of the individuals with spinal cord damage, comfortable.
Please join us for the highly engaging meeting where you will learn more from the latest research findings in the field of Spinal Cord Damage, catch-up with colleagues and friends and meet new people, and to discuss the latest in field and get inspired!
We look forward to seeing you in Sweden.
Dear NoSCoS and ISCoS Participants,
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I warmly welcome you all to the joint ISCoS/NoSCoS meeting in October 2025. As the President of NoSCoS, I extend my sincere hope that this gathering will be a constructive and inspiring opportunity for all of us to advance our shared mission.
This meeting marks the 19th NoSCoS gathering since our first meeting in 1989, also in Gothenburg.
These early meetings were driven by visionaries like Professor Lars Sullivan from Gothenburg and Professor Alain Rossier from Switzerland. He became a role model for me—the first paraplegic colleague I met—and a powerful example of resilience and leadership.
Simultaneously, this is the 64th ISCoS meeting, continuing a legacy that began in 1955 under the remarkable leadership of Sir Ludwig Guttman, the founding father of modern spinal cord rehabilitation. Together, this is the 3rd joint NoSCoS/ISCoS meeting, a testament to the growing collaboration between our scientific societies and our collective commitment to improve the lives of individuals with SCI.
Reflecting on these years, I have had the privilege of attending nearly every meeting since 1985. One of the most rewarding developments I have witnessed has been the broadening of our participant base. Today, these meetings are enriched not only by medical doctors but also by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists, mentors, administrators, and others. This diversity allows for a truly holistic approach to our mission: improving the quality of everyday life for those with SCI.
Our focus has evolved significantly. In the past, one goal was to help paraplegics walk, leading to FES and exoskeletons. The goal of rehabilitation remains: Full participation in society.
We are also facing global challenges, including war in Europe. This makes our work—and the networks we create at meetings like this—more important than ever. While modern technology facilitates global collaboration, there is no substitute for face-to-face connections. A handshake, a conversation, and the memory of meeting someone in person remain unique in building strong, lasting relationships.
This joint NoSCoS/ISCoS meeting provides a golden opportunity to unite professionals. Take full advantage of this platform to connect with colleagues and foster collaborations. By doing so, you will not only enrich your own professional journey but also enhance your ability to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
I am confident this meeting will be a source of inspiration and mutual support. Welcome to Gothenburg and thank you for your dedication to our shared mission.
With warm regards,
