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.
The short program for HCIM 2026 is available to download, offering a concise overview of key dates, main highlights, and the structure of the event.
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
More program
Elements Throughout the Meeting
| 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. |
| Main Hall |
Heart Stand by Elisabeth Helland Larsen and Sykehusklovnene |
The project features a mobile podcast space on site, where healthcare clowns are invited to sit down for short conversations about life, death, and their experiences in pediatric palliative care. These recorded reflections aim to foster dialogue, reduce taboo, and highlight the role of art and imagination in end-of-life care. |
| 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. |
| Outside the Main Entrance |
The Theodora Smiling Bus |
Come capture a joyful souvenir of HCIM 2026 ! Share a smile, and take a memorable photo to keep. |
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