The goal of the Namaste project was to realize a global vision of humanism in child neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities and to share that vision with our colleagues in every country in the world. Practicing child neurology with a humanistic perspective means treating patients and their families with respect. We understood that this could have a very different meaning in other cultural contexts. Thus, we proposed a global effort to learn what humanism in child neurology means in every culture, society and country all over the world. We did not have any preconceived notions about the global aspects of humanism in child neurology. We explicitly rejected any attempt to impose a particular world view (such as an American or European world view) and designed the project to welcome contributions from everyone all over the world. In a global and interconnected world, we hoped to bring all child neurologists together to share the meaning of humanism in every culture, society and country worldwide.

Our goal was to provide a global perspective on humanism in child neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities. We have had tremendous support from the International Child Neurology Association. We wanted to be as comprehensive, diverse, nonjudgmental and global as possible. But of course, we know that we have almost certainly left out some powerful worldwide voices. We hope that this book will be the starting point to initiate a global and respectful conversation about the importance of humanism in child neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Our presentation at the joint meeting in 2020 of the International Child Neurology Association and the United States Child Neurology Society is titled, "Humanism: The Time Has Come!" But there is so much more work to be done. As editors, we submit this monograph with the hope that readers everywhere in the world will join us in creating a better and more humanistic world for our patients and their families.