CONVIN: From Designing the Future to Advances in Healthcare - Two Months of International Events and New Opportunities

From the future of design and artificial intelligence to developments in pharmacology, internal medicine, and childhood disability, the past two months have further highlighted CONVIN’s expanding role in organizing events that sit at the heart of international scientific progress.

This period was marked by the successful delivery of three major scientific and academic events, as well as by an international announcement of particular significance for Greece: the official presentation of EACD 2027, which will take place in Athens in June next year.

The first milestone was CUMULUS 2026 – Roots | Routes in Design, the annual international conference of the Cumulus network, which brings together universities, researchers, and design professionals from around the world. This year’s edition focused on one of the most critical conversations of our time: how artificial intelligence, sustainability, and cultural heritage can coexist in shaping new design practices. At a time when AI is already influencing the way products, services, and experiences are conceived, the conference highlighted the role of design as a bridge between technological innovation and societal needs.

In the life sciences field, the 13th Panhellenic Congress of Pharmacology brought forward the developments that are redefining modern therapeutic approaches. Global pharmaceutical research is rapidly advancing towards personalized medicine, targeted therapies, and pharmacogenomics, making pharmacology one of the most dynamic scientific disciplines of our era. Within this context, the congress served as a platform for knowledge exchange and the presentation of new research findings to the Greek scientific community.

Similarly, ESIM 2026 (European Summer School of Internal Medicine) brought young internists from across Europe to Greece as part of one of the most important educational initiatives of the European Federation of Internal Medicine. At a time when healthcare systems are facing the challenges of ageing populations and the growing complexity of chronic diseases, the training of the next generation of physicians has become increasingly important. Through interactive clinical cases, hands-on workshops, and collaboration among young professionals from dozens of countries, the programme highlighted the pivotal role of Internal Medicine in contemporary European healthcare.

The international dimension of the period concluded in Galway, Ireland, where CONVIN President Antonia Alexandrou and Vice President Georgia Menti participated in the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) 2026. The congress is widely regarded as Europe’s leading scientific meeting on childhood disability, neurodevelopmental care, and rehabilitation, bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers from across the continent.

During the congress, it was officially announced that EACD 2027 will take place in Athens, Greece, from 9–12 June 2027, at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre. Hosting such a significant event further demonstrates Greece’s growing presence on the international congress map while creating new opportunities to attract leading scientists and researchers to the country.

From design and artificial intelligence to pharmacology, internal medicine, and childhood disability, the past two months have highlighted a common denominator: the importance of knowledge, collaboration, and international networking as driving forces for scientific and societal progress. Through events that connect research with practice and global trends with local communities, CONVIN continues to play an active role in conversations that shape the future.