The true magic lays in the ongoing process of pure inclusion

What's big can potentially create a lot of impact. The EACD congress - the largest conference in the world in the field of childhood disability - totally delivered on that promise. Read the interview with EACD Bruges 2024 Meeting President Elegast Monbaliu.

At the end of May, the EACD congress was held in Bruges. EACD stands for "European Academy of Childhood Disability" and is the largest conference in the world in this field. What's big can potentially create a lot of impact, and the congress totally delivered on that promise. VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau spoke with Professor Elegast Monbaliu, EACD Bruges 2024 Meeting President, about milestones, teamwork, music concerts and abandoning the cookbook method.

In which way did EACD establish a milestone as a conference?

Our conference, the largest worldwide focusing on neuromotor and childhood onset disabilities, has achieved a significant milestone by creating an impact task force track. This initiative is designed to benefit the local community and region by involving all stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, their parents, policymakers, medical professionals, and industry representatives.

We conducted a comprehensive mapping of the most pressing needs and gaps in our community. Based on this analysis, we developed a clear action plan aimed at achieving the greatest impact in the short, medium, and long term. This milestone is crucial not only for the EACD but also for our local community. It ensures that we address the real needs and desires of those affected by disabilities, providing them with the answers and support they require.

When you reflect on the organization of this conference, what are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of how smoothly the collaboration went. It was wonderful to see everyone fully committed to supporting such a vulnerable group. The level of collaboration was exceptional, demonstrating that when we work together, our combined efforts achieve much more than we could individually. I'm very proud of this teamwork, as it truly embodies the saying, "teamwork makes the dream work."

What do you hope participants or delegates will remember from this Congress?

I hope the participants and delegates of this conference remember how we created a significant impact for our community and goal group. I want them to feel inspired and engaged by our efforts to address the real needs of this group.

First, we focused on improving access to sports facilities and making sports more accessible. Second, we provided opportunities for hands-on experiences with both low and high-tech new technologies, allowing participants to enjoy and engage with these innovations. Third, we demonstrated how the inclusion process can begin early, by organizing an impressive music concert. Over the course of a year and a half, individuals with and without disabilities came together, making music, inspiring one another, forming friendships, and having fun. While the final concert was the culmination of this journey, the true magic lay in the ongoing process of pure inclusion.

I hope our delegates are inspired by these achievements and take action within their own communities to foster similar inclusive experiences.

What is your golden tip for people who also want to organize a conference with impact?

The golden tip for organizing a conference or congress with impact is to ensure the involvement of the local community. This includes engaging with tourism, city hall, and other key stakeholders.

Secondly, it's crucial to find common ground in shared values. This approach shouldn't be a step-by-step cookbook method, but rather one based on a shared vision, mission, and the real goals you want to achieve.

Additionally, you need to prioritize and make decisions, as it's impossible to do everything at once. Starting the impact track process early is vital to ensure success. Choosing what to focus on means both winning and losing, but it’s a necessary part of creating a meaningful impact.