Program
The HCIM 2026 program is designed to offer a rich and diverse experience, bringing together experts, practitioners, and researchers to explore the latest developments in healthcare clowning.
Through a combination of keynote speeches, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions, participants will engage in inspiring conversations and hands-on learning.
Stay tuned for the detailed program schedule and get ready for three days of insightful exchanges, creative exploration, and meaningful collaboration.
Day 1
Wednesday, March 11
Evolution of the last 10 years
08:00 - 09:00Registration & welcome coffee
09:00 - 10:30Opening
Opening ceremony10:30 - 11:00Coffee break
11:00 – 12:00Parallel sessions round 1
Program soon to be announced.12:00 - 13:45Lunch break
13:45 - 14:45Parallel sessions round 2
Program soon to be announced.15:00 - 16:00Parallel sessions round 3
Program soon to be announced.16:30 - 18:00Plenary session 1
The power of humour and play
Christopher Bailey
Humanizing healthcare with the support of science
The art of re-connecting heart and brain: a neuroscientific perspective
Solange Denervaud & Mathieu Horeau18:00 - 19:00Swiss aperitif & networking
19:00 - 20:00Evening show
Day 2
Thursday, March 12
The art of connecting and its impact
08:00 - 09:00Registration & welcome coffee
09:00 - 11:00Plenary session 2
Establishing trust with the child, their parents and the healthcare team
The art of connecting
Baruch Krauss
When clowns replace general anaesthesia
Cyril Sahyoun, Marine Cacioppo,
Hélène Beausoleil & Sylvie Daillot11:00 - 11:30Coffee break
11:30 - 12:15Plenary session 3
12:15 - 13:45Lunch break
14:00 - 15:00Parallel sessions round 4
Program soon to be announced.15:00 - 15:30Coffee break
15:30 - 16:30Parallel sessions round 5
Program soon to be announced.18:30Festive dinner at Musée Olympique (can be booked separately)
Day 3
Friday, March 13
The future of healthcare clowning in shaping healthcare together
08:00 - 09:00Registration & welcome coffee
09:30 - 10:30Plenary session 4
Beyond the red nose:
Thought leadership for arts in health in humanized care
What if clown organizations disappeared tomorrow—would healthcare miss us?
Or are we missing our own opportunity to lead a deeper transformation in care?
Ilse Beckers10:30 - 11:00Coffee break
11:00 - 12:00Parallel sessions round 6
Program soon to be announced.12:00 - 13:30Lunch break
13:30 - 15:00Plenary session 5
The right to joy: A rights-based approach to healthcare clowning
Healthcare clowning is often seen as a nice extra—a cherry on top—
but what if we considered it through the lens of human rights?
Natalie Porias & Kadri Sova15:00 - 15:30Closing ceremony
15:30-16:00Goodbye snack
| Location | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Main Hall | Poster Sessions | Several projects will be presented in the poster session, which will be accessible throughout the entire meeting. |
| Main Hall | Video Stations | A selection of projects presented in the format of short videos will be displayed throughout the entire meeting. |
| Main Hall | Photo Exhibition by Alfonso Novo | A selection of impactful images from the various programmes of the Theodora Foundation across Europe. |
| Outside the Main Entrance |
SPECIAL FEATURE: |
A mobile, playful care unit presented by Danske Hospitalsklovne & Design School Kolding. The ClownBulance serves as a creative hub for conversations, interaction, and inspiration around mobile emotional support in healthcare. |
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