The Canadian Pediatric Epilepsy Network is a network of scientists and health care professionals in partnership with organizations which provide education and support to children with epilepsy. The objective of the network is to gain a better understanding of childhood epilepsy through collaborative research conducted with doctors, psychologists, nurses, social workers, educators and scientists across Canada. The network was launched at a meeting in Ottawa in the spring of 2000 where several oral presentations addressed the issues of the fundamental questions of epilepsy, the economic impact and the neuropsychology of childhood epilepsy. The intent was to provoke discussion on future areas of research for the network.