We’re excited to announce the full preliminary programme and first confirmed speakers for the 11th MOVE Congress – happening from 15-17 November in Madrid, Spain. This year we’re giving plenty of room for discussion and debate on some of the hottest global issues and how they connect with our work in physical activity and healthy lifestyle promotion. 

Our programme is shaping up, featuring rock star keynotes who have become trailblazers for social change, founding inspiring community movements that support mental health and activate seniors.

Check out the programme here

The highlights so far:

MOVE Congress Thursday, 16 November 2023
Themes and parallel tracks: 

• Nurturing our mental health and wellbeing, with a special masterclass on the successful Finnish initiative for children, Icehearts
• How sport can help serve society in times of crisis, with a workshop on supporting Ukrainian refugees
• How to deliver community sport in a more environmentally sustainable way

Confirmed keynote: 
Dominique de Marné, Co-founder, Mental Health Crowd, Germany
Dominique spent 15 years of her life in the company of mental illness, of depression, addiction, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Today, she is not only free of that company, but is also an entrepreneur, writer, speaker and mental health visionary. Her goals are to change how we talk about mental health – at all, earlier, better, more normally; to inspire and motivate; to show that mental health is more than sad piano music and black and white pictures – that #mentalhealthrocks.

MOVE Congress Friday, 17 November 2023
Themes and parallel tracks: 

• Digitalisation in community sport, with a “fish bowl” debate on grassroots esports
• Interactive sessions on how our sector can help flight childhood obesity and make workplaces healthier
• Spotlights on cities that are made for active people

Confirmed keynotes:
Joël Kruisselbrink and Azmi Alubeid, Movement and Vitality Experts, Bewegen is Leven, the Netherlands  
Joël and Azmi are movement education professionals who have gone viral on social media with their exercise videos made for and with seniors. They deviate from conventional approaches, experimenting with original ways to exercise using simple materials that everyone has at home. Joël is an applied psychologist who specialises in coaching and counselling. Azmi is a trained teacher, coach and (co)leader of movement and vitality at nursing homes. He says that, together, “We strive for progress and where we succeed, we'll keep growing and embrace each step with joy!”

We can’t wait to welcome you to the MOVE Congress 2023 – if you want to come and play with us (and learn lots at the same time), book your ticket today!

Register here

The conference is supported by the European Union through projects including Icehearts Europe, Placemaking and Sport, European Grassroots Esports, IRTS Ukraine and an EU4Health programme operating grant.