Friday, 30 January 2026 — 5:30 pm
Padova Congress – Giotto Conference Hall
Working Languages:
Multilingual session with AI-powered simultaneous interpretation (KUDO)
RATIONALE
More than ever, international scientific congresses play a strategic role in advancing research, clinical practice, and global knowledge-sharing across medical communities.
In a profoundly evolving context, — shaped by technological innovation, economic pressure and the need for broader inclusivity — scientific meetings are required to address a set of concrete challenges in order to preserve and enhance their impact:
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Incentivising in-person participation as a key driver of scientific exchang
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Adopting more fluid and interactive communication models
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Ensuring financial sustainability and efficient resource allocation
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Selecting technologies that effectively expand accessibility and participation
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Improving governance, financial and organisational models of congress delivery
Addressing these priorities strengthens the role of scientific congresses as instruments for Global Health, supporting structured collaboration among scientific societies, institutions and international communities of practice.
This seminar offers practical frameworks, tools and collaboration models that associations and organisers can apply immediately to make scientific congresses more participatory, accessible and impactful — for the benefit of science and patients worldwide.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE & SESSIONS
Opening
Domenico Palladino
Welcome and introduction to the session structure
PART I – SCIENTIFIC & STRATEGIC SESSION
Chaired by Prof. Umberto Cillo
Chair's Introduction
Prof. Umberto Cillo
Global Health and Scientific Congresses: From Knowledge to Development
Scientific Keynote
Dr. Francesco Giovinazzo
Beyond Innovation: What Scientific Communities Really Need Today
Strategic Outlook
Giancarlo Leporatti
Congress 4.0: How Scientific Congresses Are Evolving to Support Global Health
PART II – INNOVATION & ECOSYSTEM SESSION
Moderated by Domenico Palladino
Technology Focus
Fardad Zabetian - Founder & CEO, KUDO
Designing Scientific Congresses for a Multilingual World Using AI
Destination & Venue Perspectives
Short contributions focused on innovative developments, infrastructures and strategic approaches presented by European destinations and congress venues.
Padua’s Congress Development Model
Stefania De Toni - General Manager, Padova Congress Strategy, Infrastructure and the Development of a Territorial Congress Ecosystem
SENIOR SCIENTIFIC COMMENTARY
Prof. Roberto Verna
Scientific Reflections on Emerging Models for Global Health Congresses
FINAL DISCUSSION & TAKEAWAYS
Moderated jointly by Prof. Umberto Cillo & Domenico Palladino
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Scientific synthesis and perspectives – Prof. Umberto Cillo
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Moderated discussion and selected questions – Domenico Palladino
KEY OUTCOMES
Participants will gain:
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Strategies to increase participation and global involvement
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Approaches to enhance the scientific value of congresses
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Solutions to improve financial performance
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Practical insights on technology selection
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A shared roadmap for collaboration in Global Health
TARGET AUDIENCE
This session is open to:
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Presidents and decision-makers of international scientific and medical societies
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PCOs and congress organisers
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Destinations and congress venues
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Institutions and stakeholders involved in Global Health
Participation is strictly limited to registered attendees of Association Days Europe 2026 and to accredited industry operators and media representatives.
Where We Are
Padova Congress
Via N. Tommaseo, 59 – 35131- Padova Italy
Tel. +39 049 840 497
info@padovacongress.it
