Program & sponsors
Program
MONDAY | PRE-CONFERENCE DAY | October 6
Oct 6 Time | Session | Venue |
|---|---|---|
To join one of these sessions, you need to subscribe for the entire conference. In the online registration form you can choose one of the sessions below. | ||
14:45 - 16:15 | Campus Woudestein sustainable landmarktour Join this guided tour of Campus Woudestein to learn how sustainability and planetary health principles are integrated into campus design, connect with others interested in sustainability, and explore key initiatives at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Session leader: ▪ Annemiek Strijker (Policy advisor sustainability, Erasmus University Rotterdam) | Erasmus University Campus (indoor & outdoor) Meeting point: Bayle building, 7th floor open space |
13:00 - 16:00 | Foundation Present Delegates may sign up to lend a hand to Rotterdammers who could use help to transform their paved gardens. This is a great way to become a Rotterdammer for a day, connect with a local, learn about life in the city, and leave behind a positive green impact in the city, and on the citizen. Session leader: ▪ Raymond Landegent (Community-driven green entrepreneur and ambassador of the National Championship Tile-tipping) | Meeting point: Metro station ‘Marconiplein’ |
13:30 -16:30 | Leading transitions: board-level and clinical leadership that promote sustainable healthcare practices This workshop features an interactive simulation game, followed by engaging roundtable discussions, exploring the barriers, facilitators, and synergies in clinical and board-level leadership for advancing sustainable healthcare practices and organizations. Session leaders: ▪ Prof. dr. Andy Garman (Professor of health systems management at Rush University’s College of Health Sciences) ▪ Prof. dr. Erik van Raaij (Professor of Sustainable Procurement in Healthcare at Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management and Rotterdam School of Management) ▪ Dr. Maike Tietschert (Assistant Professor in healthcare sustainability at Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management) | Erasmus MC (indoor) Meeting point: Room SP-3411 |
14:30 - 15:30 & 15:30 - 16:30 | Forest Bathing: reconnecting with nature This Forest Bathing session aims to promote mental health, physical health, and social relationships by connecting with nature through physical sensations, and disconnecting from daily worries. It consists of a leisurely walk in Het Park, a beautiful park in Rotterdam, accompanied only by the smells and colors of nature, and guided meditation. Session leader: ▪ Orlagh Nic Fhionnbhairr (Planetary Health Alliance Campus Ambassador and Operations Officer Irish Doctors for the Environment) | Het Park (outdoor) Meeting point: The entrance of Het Park in front of the Rotterdam Euromast stop |
13:30 - 15:00 | Walk through artistic landmarks across the city of Rotterdam FULLY BOOKED This walk through Rotterdam's artistic landmarks offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of culture, urban design, and planetary health. By engaging with public art and architecture, participants can reflect on how creative spaces contribute to mental well-being, social cohesion, and sustainable urban environments. The activity highlights the role of green and inclusive public spaces in fostering resilience and improving population health. Anne-Marie Ros (Artist, curator and art guide) | In the city (outdoor) |
13:30 - 15:30 | Rotterdam Green Walk FULLY BOOKED Beginning on the green rooftop of De Doelen, the conference center hosting PHAM 2025, delegates will learn about the partnerships needed to transform a historic building which is key to the cultural enrichment of all Rotterdammers. From there the group will cross the famous Fire Boundary, learning about how the city rebuilt after WWII, and walk to the nearby neighbourhood “Oude Westen” to learn about community driven transformation, and hear from neighbourhood workers and residents what this has meant to their daily lives. Session leaders: ▪ Paul Claessens (Chairman of the local residents ‘action group Oude Westen’) ▪ Lieke Bolt (Administrative & volunteers officer at the action group Oude Westen’) ▪ Miranda Nauta (Program manager greening the city for the municipality of Rotterdam) | Conference Center De Doelen (outdoor) Meeting point: Registration desk PHAM - Conference Center De Doelen |
13:30 - 15:30 | Exploring Nature Based Schoolyards Delegates will be invited to visit a nature-based schoolyard at elementary school De Provenier, nearby Rotterdam Central Station. Departing from De Doelen, the group will walk through Central Station and receive an explanation of local sustainability initiatives, to exit in Provenierswijk, and will be met by the director of the school who will explain the importance of nature based schoolyards and the impact it has had on his pupils. Session leader: ▪ Elijan Bes & Eva van Bolderen (Project managers for the Nature-based Schoolyard program in Rotterdam) | Conference Center De Doelen (outdoor) Meeting point: Registration desk PHAM - Conference Center De Doelen |
13:00 - 14:30 | The transformative power of the Planetary Health social movement Ten years after the 2015 report of the Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission launched the Planetary health approach, there are still many challenges along the pathway to fulfil original principles, values, and vision. The updated definition states that “Planetary Health is a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement”. This latter dimension is often a blind spot in social research and dialogue among the Planetary Health community. This session looks into following questions: • What does it mean that Planetary Health is (also) a social movement? • How being a social movement positions Planetary Health in the global health landscape (by the way, under transformation)? • What can be learned from past (or parallel) social movements for engaged ecology, peace, or rights? • Who should participate in the forefront of this social movement? Which voices are missed? Which alliances are needed? • How Planetary Health research, meetings, and programs may harness and push the momentum for moving on the deep and urgent societal transformation, new paradigm, critical mindset, and diverse lifestyles to make it happen? Facilitators: ▪ Swasti Madan (BCH Planetary health WG); and ▪ Magalie Schotte (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Be-cause health coordinator ) Keynote speakers: ▪ Remco Van de Pas (UN University & Be-cause health Planetary health WG – keynote, online) ▪ Julia Steinberger (University of Lausanne – keynote, online) Guest speakers: ▪ Calixto Suarez (Arhuaco representative from the Sierra Nevada, Colombia): Planetary health from IP perspective ▪ Beverly Longid (International Solidarity Officer of KATRIBU Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas – Philippines) : Planetary health from human rights activism perspective (IP) ▪ Chantal Riggs (Community Building and Engagement Coordinator, Planetary Health Alliance) : Planetary health from youth movement perspective ▪ Katrina Ceballos (Research assistant Complexity and Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp & Be-cause health Planetary health WG): Planetary health from science and activism perspective ▪ Davide Ziveri (Environmental Health Specialist, Fédération Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion & co-coordinator Be-cause health Planetary health WG): Planetary health from NGO / humanitarian action perspective | Erasmus University Campus (indoor) Meeting point: Bayle building, 7th floor, room J7-55 |
13:30 - 16:30 | Painting planetary health: Exploring systems change through collaborative art This 3-hour interactive workshop explores art as a communication and engagement tool for advancing a systems approach to planetary health. Participants will brainstorm and paint panels in small groups that prompt further thinking on the urgent challenges facing planetary health. Session leader: ▪ Devin O'Donnell (University of Sussex Science Policy Research Unit) | Erasmus University Campus (indoor) Meeting point: Bayle building, 7th floor, room J7-59 (open space) |
15:00 - 16:30 | Communicating planetary health to a non-expert audience FULLY BOOKED Planetary health presents a powerful, solutions-oriented vision for the future, but its complex and abstract language can make it challenging to convey its message to those who are not familiar with the field. In this workshop, we will explore practical strategies to communicate planetary health clearly and effectively to a non-expert audience. Session leaders: ▪ Fred Balvert (Strategic communications advisor at Erasmus MC) ▪ Alizia Kamani (Strategic communications advisor for research projects at ESHPM) ▪ Veerle Cannemeijer (PhD candidate planetary health communication at ESHPM) | Erasmus University Campus (indoor) Meeting point: Bayle building, 7th floor, rooms J7-55 |
15:00 -16:30 | Just and sustainable research practices A hands-on session about just and sustainable science, in which we critically reflect on biomedical research practices and provide educational tools that can be used in your own education and scientific research. Session leaders: ▪ Marit de Kort (Policy officer at Graduate School of Life Sciences at UMC Utrecht) ▪ Arte Groenewegen (Medical doctor and co-founder of The CO2-assistant) ▪ Iskander Khairoutdinov (Educational innovator planetary health at UMC Utrecht) | Erasmus University Campus (indoor) Meeting point: Bayle building, 7th floor, rooms J7-43 + J7-45 |
17:30 - 19:00 | Welcome reception hosted by the Municipality Rotterdam Join us at the beautiful City Hall (national monument and part of the national heritage) and meet other delegates, while enjoying drinks and bites. Welcome by vice-mayor Pascal Lansink-Bastemeijer (Alderman for Enforcement, Outdoor Space and Mobility at the Municipality of Rotterdam) | City Hall Rotterdam |
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TUESDAY | October 7
Oct 7 Time | Title and speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|
08:15 - 18:00 | Registration & information desk open | Foyer |
08:15 - 09:30 | Welcome and registration delegates with coffee / tea | Foyer |
all day | Poster displays will be available on digital screens | Foyer |
09:30 - 11:00 | Opening Ceremony: Welcome messages This session will welcome participants with an international parterre of hosts. It will also foresee the integration of arts as spotlight for this year, with the participation of children reading poems and sharing their ideas on planetary health and a final video with children's messages from all around the world, collected through the support from the Arts Committee. Opening and welcoming words ▪ Chiara Cadeddu (Erasmus School of Health Policy Management & Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Marie Studer (Planetary Health Alliance) Keynote speeches: ▪ Mr. Wopke Hoekstra (European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, European Commission) ▪ Maarten IJzerman (Dean of Erasmus School of Health Policy Management) ▪ Jantine Schuit (Rector Magnificus, Erasmus University Rotterdam) ▪ Pim Martens (Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) Planetary Health Committee) ▪ Walter Ricciardi (Founder of the Italian Institute for Planetary Health) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
11:00 - 12:30 | Special session - plenary: 10th Anniversary (From the Lancet publication to Planetary Health 7th Annual Meeting) This panel will celebrate how the Planetary Health field and movement have expanded in an array of arenas over the past decade and will set the stage for celebrating the 10th anniversary throughout the conference. Panelists will include some who have been part of the movement from the beginning and those who have joined more recently as the Planetary Health community has expanded. It will represent the diversity of Planetary Health with regard to geographic regions, current research, and areas of engagement. A focus of discussion will be around how Planetary Health is taking shape in the world from your perspective and what you think is next for Planetary Health. ▪ Judith Rodin - MODERATOR (Former President Rockefeller Foundation) ▪ Andy Haines (LSHTM) ▪ Nicole Redvers (Western University; Dene (a member of the Deninu K'ue First Nation Band) ▪ Maisarah Faiesall (Sunway Centre for Planetary Health) ▪ Melvine Otieno (Planetary Health East Africa Regional Hub) ▪ Tatiana Camargo (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul) ▪ Michael Weatherhead (Wellbeing Economy Alliance) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
12:30 - 14:00 | Lunch | Foyer |
14:00 - 15:00 | Plenary: Planetary Boundaries and Planetary Health This session will highlight the effort to bring together the Planetary Boundaries and Planetary Health communities. A matrix is being released in 2025 that highlights the research that ties each of the Planetary Boundaries to specific health impacts related to noncommunicable disease, infectious disease, mental health, maternal and reproductive health, etc., providing the science base for understanding the link between environmental degradation and human health impacts and can be used to illustrate the health co-benefits of policy solutions. PHAM will include a mechanism through which PHAM attendees can recommend additional studies that fit into this matrix (either via a large print out and sticky notes and/or an online platform). Consider adding reference to Earth Public Information Collaborative (EPIC) as communications mechanism that can bring these communities together Session will lay the groundwork for discussion of the Roadmap and Action Plan b/c for each of the PB/Health cells in the table, we need to use the tools in the Roadmap (education, governance, private sector engagement, communications) to help address those challenges and metrics to help us measure our progress. ▪ Jane Madgwick - MODERATOR (Plantlife International) ▪ Johan Rockström (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research) ▪ Sam Myers (Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health & Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Lisa Poertner (Institute of Public Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
15:00 - 15:35 | Plenary: Planetary Health Roadmap: Leading the Field from “Evidence to Action” to “Urgency and Agency for Systems Change This session will introduce the next phase of the Planetary Health Roadmap, highlighting how the field is moving from evidence-based action toward systems-level transformation driven by urgency and agency. Speakers will present concrete examples from across Roadmap working groups, including stakeholder mapping and journalist engagement efforts in Communications, and the development of a new Index Framework to track progress in Metrics. In Business, initiatives include designing health indicators for corporate disclosures and a leadership transformation program rooted in a return-on-values framework. The Education group has developed curriculum resources, educator webinars, and a global video campaign featuring over 50 contributions. Policy & Governance efforts have focused on demystifying the multilateral system and improving access to key global policy processes. These diverse efforts are being integrated through the Planetary Health in Action Handbook, aimed at advancing cross-sector collaboration and accelerating systemic change. ▪ Tulsi Modi (Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Jemilah Mahmood (Sunway Centre for Planetary Health) ▪ Oliver Lacey-Hall (Sunway Centre for Planetary Health) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
15:35 - 15:50 | Plenary: Planetary Health Announcement ▪ Sam Myers (Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health & Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Honourable Chang Lih Kang (Malaysian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation) ▪ Jemilah Mahmood (Sunway Centre for Planetary Health) ▪ Datuk Asma (Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
15:50 - 16:00 | Plenary: Planetary Health Youth Prize Includes announcement of Hackathon winners ▪ Sam Myers (Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health & Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Chiara Cadeddu (Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management) ▪ Chantal Riggs (Planetary Health Alliance) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
16:00 - 16:30 | Coffee break | Foyer |
16:30 - 18:00 | PHA Regional Member Assembly: PHA Members Assembly and Regional Hubs A gathering for members & non-members of the Planetary Health Alliance to learn more about PHA membership. This gathering will also include Regional Hub presentations and information on how to engage with each Planetary Health Regional Hub. Session Goals: - Member Community call/gathering for PHA Members - Learn more about PHA membership - Learn more about Planetary Health Regional Hubs - Intra and Inter Regional discussion ▪ Chantal Riggs (Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Hannah Turley (Planetary Health Alliance) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
WEDNESDAY | October 8
Oct 8 Time | Title and speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|
08:15 - 17:30 | Registration & information desk open | Foyer |
08:15 - 09:00 | Welcome and registration delegates with coffee / tea | Foyer |
All day | Poster displays will be available on digital screens | Foyer |
09:00 - 10:30 | Plenary: The European Green Deal as a key case study for advancing the Great Transition This session will delve into the European Green Deal, using it as a comprehensive case study to examine its framework and implementation. The analysis will focus on defining and designing an optimal Green Deal that can effectively drive the Great Transition across various sectors and geopolitical landscapes. By scrutinizing the EU Green Deal's strategies, policies, and outcomes, participants will gain insights into how such initiatives can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of different regions. ▪ Dorota Sienkiewicz (EuroHealthNet) ▪ Astrid Ladefoged (European Commission / DG RTD) ▪ Yogi Hendlin (Erasmus University) ▪ Giovanni Mori (Italia Impossibile) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
10:30 - 11:00 | Morning coffee break | Foyer |
11:00 - 12:30 | Parallel sessions Planetary Health Cities A key component of achieving the Great Transition is re-imaging the way we build the places we live. This session will look at the Planetary Health dimensions of urban and community design at different scales—from the materials that we use to construct buildings; to the way that neighborhoods can be structured to support thriving communities; to municipality-wide energy, transport, waste and financing models. It will include a discussion of Planetary Health principles to guide city planners in taking a cohesive approach to creating cities that promote ecosystems that support human health and will include case examples from several cities. ▪ Seydina Fall - MODERATOR (Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health, USA) ▪ Morten Højer (Chief Advisor for Copenhagen, Denmark) ▪ Jin-Won Noh (Institute for Planetary Health (IPH) at Yonsei University, South Korea) ▪ Leigh Graham (The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, USA) ▪ Ann-Marie Aguilar (International WELL Building Institute, UK) | Van Weelde Room |
Workshop on Behavioural change in Planetary Health To achieve the goals of Planetary Health, behavioural change is needed across all levels of society—individual, community, and political. Changing daily behaviours and attitudes, both in our personal lives and the workplace, is essential to securing the future of our planet. Therefore, behavioural science is a key discipline to explore and apply within the context of Planetary Health. This session will introduce some fundamental behavioural science principles, before engaging participants in practical exercises to apply behavior change principles to Planetary Health. ▪ Lena Lehrer - MODERATOR (Institute for Planetary Health Behavior) ▪ Kira Maur (Institute for Planetary Health Behavior) ▪ Sarah Pelull (Institute for Planetary Health Behavior) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
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Global Governance, International Law, and Diplomacy for Planetary Health - Building Capacity Among Advocates This session will reflect the work done by the Governance Working Group since the launch of the Planetary Health Roadmap and Action Plan in 2024. Each speaker will share on how they have grown in their own capacities as advocates for governance for planetary health, and share key insights as to how other planetary health activists can grow in this space. Presentation on the Global Governance Strategy for Planetary Health by ▪ Matthew Carvalho - MODERATOR (Sunway Centre for Planetary Health and O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law) Intervention by Berta Paz Lourido (University of the Balearic Islands) Recorded Video Interventions from Members of the Governance Working Group: ▪ Ina Kafunda (Alumni of Georgetown University Law Center) ▪ Kennedy Michael (UCSI University) ▪ Vanessa Goes (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) | Jurriaanse Room |
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Next Generation meeting A gathering for the Next Generation Network to network, engage, and collaborate with this global community. This gathering will feature an overview of current Next Gen initiatives; presentations from the winners of the virtual and in-person Planetary Health Challenge; and culminate with time to meet and network with other Next Gen individuals. Session Goals: Next Generation networking | Planetary Health Challenge winner presentations | Learn more about current Next Gen initiatives | Discuss how to get involved and what programs the network would like to see ▪ Chantal Riggs - MODERATOR (Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Duaa Mohamed Suliman Moh Noor (Health Policy Department – Mohamed Bin Rashid School of Government) ▪ Ezekiel P. Guanbie (School of Pharmacy, University of Liberia) ▪ Amira Puji Hastuti (University of Indonesia | Room 5-8 (Van der Vorm, Plate, Van Rijckevorsel, Ruys Rooms) |
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11:00 - 12:30 | Rethinking Planetary Health Through Critical Transdisciplinary Research: Strategies and Challenges We are witnessing profound global transformations at the political, social, and ecological levels that call for innovative approaches to research and policymaking. In order to tackle these crises and develop policies that promote planetary health, it is crucial to produce knowledge that recognises and captures this complexity by transcending traditional academic disciplines. Building on the developments of the JHU-UPF PPC’s nascent Transdisciplinary Policy Lab (TPL) and the Eco-Social Determinants of Health Inequities (ESDHi) Network, this workshop aims to provide a space for knowledge sharing in order to advance collective skills and understanding on the challenges, opportunities, and strategies of carrying out transdisciplinary research for planetary health in the 21st century. The workshop is aimed at researchers, students, activists, and scientists who are interested in developing transdisciplinary research to promote planetary health. To consult all the information about the ESDHi Network, please visit: www.socialdeterminants.org ▪ Joan Benach (JHU-UPF Public Policy Center, Universitat Pompeu Fabra) ▪ Ferran Muntané (JHU-UPF Public Policy Center, Universitat Pompeu Fabra) ▪ Eliana Martínez-Herrera (National School of Public Health, Universidad de Antioquia) | Van Beuningen Room |
12:30 - 14:00 | Lunch | Foyer |
13:00 - 13:45 Lunch Session: Der Körper ist ein kleiner Spiegel / The body is a small mirror by Noé Valdes Vega (Researcher, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen / Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden) This lecture-performance-workshop explores movement as a means of achieving resonance, facilitating our relationship with the environment. It will integrate theoretical discussion with excerpts from our community project Movement Practice Sharing Sessions (MPSS), offering a glimpse into their embodied and interactive nature. In response to socio-political, cultural, and environmental disturbances, movement becomes a form of 'decentralized listening.' In this performance, we will demonstrate how movement enables exchange and connection with nature and community, inviting all to consider our own embodied experience. This workshop was created by the following team: ▪ Frédéric Coupet (Artistic Advisor, Rehearsal Director) ▪ Prof. Antje Risius (Supervisor, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (Partner Institution)) ▪ Prof. Katharina Christl (Mentor, Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden) ▪ Anna Louise Weßling (Cooperation Partner, Museum Friedland) | Plenary: Van Weelde Room |
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12:30 - 14:00 Lunch Session: film 'The Message of Jequi' Jequi, a quilombola boy from the Vale do Jequitinhonha in Minas Gerais, faces a significant challenge: to denounce the ills that "progress" threatens to bring to his region, especially the exploitation of natural resources, such as the waters of the river where he plays every day. Using his ancestral wisdom, Jequi devises a plan to share this warning with as many children as possible through a simple solution: a message in a bottle. Film directed by Igor Amin - Filmmaker, Educator, and Water Activist | Room 5-8 (Van der Vorm, Plate, Van Rijckevorsel, Ruys Rooms) |
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14:00 - 15:30 | Plenary: De-Risking Planetary Health: driving the transition in an uncertain world Investing in Planetary Health initiatives often carries high perceived risks for both public and private financial institutions, primarily due to uncertainty about long-term returns, regulatory barriers, and complex global environmental challenges. This panel will explore the role of banks, venture capital, governments (national, regional), philanthropy, insurance companies, and others to make the case for investing in Planetary Health solutions and a thriving future for all. ▪ Vera Siesjö - MODERATOR (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) ▪ Andy Valenciano (Democracia+) ▪ Zac Taylor (Delft University of Technology & Resilient Delta) ▪ Siobhan Airy (Erasmus University Rotterdam) ▪ Martijn Looijer (National Delta Program) ▪ Harold Hendriks (Unive) ▪ Hielke van der Aa (NWB Bank) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
15:30 - 16:00 | Coffee break | Foyer |
16:00 - 17:30 | Parallel sessions Planetary Health and Open Science: experience from the MOSAIC planetary health project According to the UNESCO definition, Open Science is « a set of principles and practices that aim to make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefits of scientists and society as a whole. Open science is about making sure not only that scientific knowledge is accessible but also that the production of that knowledge itself is inclusive, equitable and sustainable ». This is an essential concept to be integrated in planetary health and the MOSAIC Horizon project is aiming at making this real. MOSAIC's goal is to promote the health of local cross-border populations in East Africa and the Amazon stating that, insofar people are involved in data and knowledge co-production with scientists, they are capable of exploiting complex and multi-thematic data, information and knowledge on their environment, health, well-being and practices, in order to adopt acceptable, feasible and sustainable adaptation and mitigation solutions. ▪ Eduarda Marques da Costa - MODERATOR (University of Lisbon) ▪ Emmanuel Roux (French national institute for sustainable development (IRD) ▪ Valérie Morel (University of Artois, Arras, France) ▪ Victor Mose (African Conservation Centre (ACC)) ▪ Suzana Blesic (Institute for medical research, University of Belgrade) ▪ Vanessa Harris (University of Amsterdam) | Van Weelde Room |
Measuring Planetary Health This session introduces an ambitious new effort to develop a composite metric for Planetary Health, measured at the national level to align with the political structures most capable of enacting change. While planetary health challenges cross geopolitical boundaries, it is within nations that policy decisions—and investments—are made. The metric is designed to identify strategic opportunities to rebalance human and natural systems. Along the way, the team confronted data gaps, contextual variability, and competing priorities—overcoming these challenges through innovative methods and deep collaboration. Presenters will share the conceptual framework, key findings, and a path forward to make this tool a catalyst for measurable, systemic change. ▪ Nazia Ahmad - MODERATOR (Sunway Center for Planetary Health) ▪ Erin Hughey (Pacific Disaster Center) ▪ Kathryn Jacobsen (University of Richmond) ▪ Josh Verkerke (Pacific Disaster Center) | Jurriaanse Room |
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Planetary Health, Peace, and Security This session will explore the deep interconnections between violent conflict, human and ecological health, and systemic instability. It will acknowledge the ways that environmental degradation (e.g., droughts, famine, climate disasters) contribute to conflict. In addition, it will describe how armed conflict, displacement, and militarization lead to ecosystem destruction, increase climate vulnerability, and weaken the institutions and governance systems needed to address planetary challenges. Framed through a Planetary Health perspective, the session will also highlight the significant co-benefits of peace for both people and the planet and will discuss how a peaceful and secure world supports long-term human and environmental well-being. ▪ Farhang Tahzib - MODERATOR (European Public Health Association (EUPHA)) ▪ General Tom Middendorp (Royal Netherlands Army) ▪ Fumihiko Yoshida (Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (RECNA), Nagasaki University) ▪ José Pablo Quinones Guzman (The Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates) ▪ Beverly Longid (Katribu, Philippines and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
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Lightning talks Moderated by Sacha Wright & Gaia Surya Lombardi Abstracts of the following topics will be presented: • Arts, Narrative, and other Community • Engagement in Planetary Health • Biodiversity and Health • Business in Planetary Health • Climate Change and Health • Communication around Planetary Health • Environmental Pollution and Health • Food Systems and Nutrition • Gender, Culture & Participatory Approach in Planetary Health For the overview of abstracts being presented, Click here | Room 5-8 (Van der Vorm, Plate, Van Rijckevorsel, Ruys Rooms) |
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16:00 - 17:30 | Poster Pitches Session Moderated by travel scholars Posters with the following topics will be presented / pitched: • Arts, Narrative, and other Community Engagement in Planetary Health • Biodiversity and Health • Business in Planetary Health • Climate Change and Health • Communication around Planetary Health • Environmental Pollution and Health • Food Systems and Nutrition • Gender, Culture & Participatory Approach in Planetary Health • Policy and Advocacy in Planetary Health | Foyer |
19:30 - 23:30 | Informal conference dinner | Jack Rotterdam |
THURSDAY | October 9
Oct 9 Time | Title and speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|
08:15 - 18:00 | Registration & information desk open | Foyer |
08:15 - 09:00 | Welcome and registration delegates with coffee / tea | Foyer |
All day | Poster displays will be available on digital screens | Foyer |
09:00 - 10:30 | Plenary: Building the Movement for a Positive Future From its inception, Planetary Health has been defined as a social movement. To build the momentum and increase the power of this movement, it will be critical to work alongside other movements striving towards a future where humans and all life can thrive. This panel will begin with an overview of what makes effective social movements and highlight examples of other successful movements. It will highlight strategies that could be deployed to activate organizations and individuals to advance Planetary Health. ▪ Teddie Potter - MODERATOR (University of Minnesota) ▪ Thobile Chittenden (Wellbeing Economy Alliance) ▪ Emma Rawson-Te Patu (World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)) ▪ Calixto Suárez (Indigenous Arhuaco della Sierra Nevada di Santa Marta (Colombia)) ▪ Carlos Faerron (Planetary Health Alliance) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
10:30 - 11:00 | Morning coffee break | Foyer |
11:00 - 12:30 | Parallel sessions Communicating Planetary Health This session will present the Communications Working Group’s main lessons from these three streams of work and introduce the draft Communications Strategy. The session aims to share insights, gather feedback on, and seek endorsement for the draft Strategy, thereby directing the working group to accelerate its full development and implementation ahead of the next PHAM. In view of the radical changes that the world has been undergoing over the past 12 months, both technological and geopolitical, this session will also open space to discuss the potential of additional assets such as artificial intelligence which present both risks and opportunities to achieve the goal of communicating and advocating for planetary health. ▪ Oliver Lacey-Hall (Sunway Center for Planetary Health) ▪ Dr. Jaya Schreedhar (Asian College of Journalism; Internews) ▪ Dr. Cornelia Walther (Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
The Planetary Health Transition for Businesses While corporate activities have been a primary driver of the triple planetary crisis, contributing to about 70% of GHG emissions and 90% of biodiversity loss through extractive linear economic models, climate physical and transition risks now threaten $12 trillion in global economic value by 2050. This session examines systemic lock-ins perpetuating unsustainable practices. The session will address the challenges in transitioning firms, both large and small, towards planet friendly practices. Panelists will critically assess barriers to scalability, including short-termism in capital allocation and policy misalignment, while proposing mechanisms to accelerate private sector accountability within planetary boundaries. This session will start with an overview of the Business Action Group formed under the Planetary Health Action Plan by Prof Pervaiz Ahmed, followed by a presentation on values based corporate development by Prof Mahendhiran Nair and Prof Santha Vaithilingam, and will close with a panel discussion on the challenges in greening smaller businesses in different regions around the world. Session Objectives: To discuss the Planetary Health challenges faced by businesses, from the perspective of large firms, as well as SMEs from developing countries. ▪ Prof. Pervaiz K. Ahmed - MODERATOR (Sunway Institute of Global Strategy and Competitiveness, Sunway Center) ▪ Prof. Mahendhiran Sanggaran Nair (Sunway University) ▪ Prof. Santha Vaithilingam (Sunway University) ▪ Malaika Barbara Ebbli (Malaika) ▪ Prof. dr. ir. Anke van Hal (Nyenrode Business University) | Van Weelde Room |
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Advancing solutions for planetary health: insights from the Pathfinder Initiative This session will present insights from the Pathfinder Initiative, including evidence on the health benefits of climate mitigation and adaptation actions across sectors and in diverse settings; guidance on designing studies, and implementing and evaluating solutions for planetary health; and learnings from capacity strengthening work in sub-Saharan Africa. Following presentations, further discussion will aim to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among the planetary health community to inform and advance research, policy and action on climate and health, and accelerate a just transition to a healthy, net-zero future. ▪ Dr. Iris Blom - MODERATOR (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)/ WHO) ▪ Dr. Peninah Murage (LSHTM) ▪ Dr. Lorna Benton (LSHTM) ▪ Rebecca Newbould (LSHTM) ▪ Elizabeth Kimani-Murage (African Population and Health Research Center) | Jurriaanse Room |
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12:30 - 14:00 | Lunch | Foyer |
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch session: Beyond Cost and Outcomes: Integrating Environmental Impact into Health Technology Assessment through Life Cycle Thinking The healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 4–5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet environmental considerations remain peripheral in most Health Technology Assessment (HTA) frameworks. Traditional HTA models, such as the widely adopted HTA Core Model developed from EUnetHTA, primarily focus on clinical, economic, ethical, organizational, and social domains, with environmental issues addressed only marginally within safety considerations. In a time of escalating climate challenges, there is an urgent need to evolve HTA towards a “Green HTA” paradigm that systematically incorporates environmental dimensions into decision-making. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) offers a robust, standardized methodology for quantifying environmental impacts across a product’s full lifecycle—from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal. By integrating LCA into HTA, decision-makers can identify critical environmental hotspots and assess trade-offs alongside traditional health and economic outcomes. Evidence from pharmaceuticals, telemedicine, and medical devices shows that environmental impacts vary greatly by technology and lifecycle stage, highlighting the need for tailored mitigation strategies. Embedding environmental metrics into HTA requires overcoming challenges such as data availability, methodological standardization, and alignment with regulatory frameworks. However, initiatives like the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method and the INAHTA principles on environmental sustainability provide a pathway towards harmonization. A Green HTA approach could guide healthcare systems in selecting technologies that deliver not only clinical and economic value but also contribute to planetary health goals. This session will explore innovative methodological approaches for integrating environmental impact into HTA, drawing on international experiences, case studies, and policy developments. It will provide a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to advance the discourse on aligning healthcare technology adoption with the imperatives of environmental stewardship and sustainable health systems. ▪ Eugenio Di Brino (Co-founder e Partner di Altems Advisory, academic spin-off Università, Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma) ▪ Rossella Di Bidino (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Italy, INAHTA Member) ▪ Lucia Sara D’Angiolella (Pricing & Reimbursement Lead PhD External Affairs di Novo Nordisk, Italy) ▪ Alisha Morsella (Healthcare and Sustainability consultant and PhD in Ocean and Human Health in Island States) ▪ Marco Marchetti (HTA Director, Agenzia nazionale per i servizi sanitari regionali, Italy) ▪ Emmanouil (Manos) Tsiasiotis (Lead Project Coordinator EDiHTA, Researcher Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) ▪ Michele Basile (Co-founder and Partner of Altems Advisory, an academic spin-off of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome)  | Van Weelde Room |
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13:00 - 14:00 Lunch session: Bridging Frameworks and Shaping the Future of Planetary Health Education: Priorities, Audiences, and Action This session bridges Planetary Health with One Health, Climate & Health, Environmental Health, and Eco-Health to build a shared roadmap for education. We will: assess how to measure the availability and quality of Planetary Health learning offers, identify priority audiences for the coming years, and spotlight strategies that make education transformative, shaping skills, agency, and intent to act. Short impulse inputs from invited experts will frame a focused discussion aimed at concrete next steps and collaborative opportunities across academia, practice, and policy. ▪ Jelena Malogajski (Planetary Health Alliance, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA) ▪ Chiara Cadeddu (Planetary Health Alliance, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands) ▪ Laurent Chambaud, ASPHER, Paris, France ▪ Eric Twomey, ASPHER, Brussels, Belgium ▪ Katharina Brugger (IANPHI / Austrian Public Health Institute) ▪ Sinaia Netanyahu (WHO Bonn Office European Centre for Environment and Health, Bonn, Germany ) ▪ Cristina O’Callaghan Gordo (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain) ▪ Carmen Jochem (University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany)  | Room 5-8 (Van der Vorm, Plate, Van Rijckevorsel, Ruys Rooms) |
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14:00 - 15:30 | Plenary: Regenerative Solutions for a Regenerative Future This session will begin with an overview of the concept of regenerative solutions, and will provide examples from various sectors (e.g., agriculture and education) to highlight initiatives to transform degraded and polluting spaces into green places where we can all thrive. This emphasis on generative solutions is a core component of economic models, like Donut Economics, that drive communities to live within Planetary Boundaries. This session will feature a discussion of those economic principles necessary to foster regenerative approaches and will include an example of a city that has applied such principles to building a regenerative future. ▪ Caitlin McElroy - MODERATOR (Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment) ▪ David Webb (The University of Western Australia) ▪ Calixto Suarez (Indigenous Arhuaco della Sierra Nevada di Santa Marta (Colombia)) & translator Carlos Faerron (Planetary Health Alliance) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
15:30 - 16:00 | Coffee break | Foyer |
16:00 - 17:30 | Parallel sessions Oceans and Planetary Health This panel session will explore the critical relationship between our oceans and Planetary Health. Experts from various fields will discuss the impact of ocean health on global ecosystems, climate regulation, and human well-being. Topics will include the intersection of marine biodiversity, pollution, sustainable fisheries, climate regulation, and its importance for all dimensions of human health and wellbeing. Attendees will gain insights into current research, innovative solutions, and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing ocean health for future generations. ▪ Oliver Ashford - MODERATOR (WRI) ▪ Lota Creencia (Western Phillipines Unversity) ▪ Ahmad Damaj (The Ocean Cleanup) ▪ George Birch (Oyster Heaven) ▪ Sione Tu'itahi (Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand) | Van Weelde Room |
Educating to Achieve the Great Transition This session will highlight the global dimensions of Planetary Health education by showcasing diverse and impactful examples from around the world. It will begin with a dynamic panel discussion on the theme Planetary Health Education: For Everyone, In Every Space, followed by brief presentations highlighting the Education Action Group’s progress over the past year in Health Roadmap in Motion: Advancing Education Through a Year of Action. Planetary Health Education: For Everyone, In Every Space ▪ Dr. Jelena Malogajski – MODERATOR (Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Dr. Hina Shan (National University of Medical Sciences) ▪ Dr. SanYuMay Tun (University of Oxford) ▪ Dr. Husein Moloo (University of Ottawa) Planetary Health Roadmap in Motion: Advancing Education Through a Year of Action ▪ Dr. Teddie Potter (University of Minnesota) ▪ Dr. Jelena Malogajski (Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Dr. Jennifer Cole (Royal Holloway, University of London) ▪ Jennifer Rasmussen (Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Stacy Villegas (Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
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Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Planetary Health: Opportunities, Ethics, and Responsible Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we address global health and environmental challenges. From tracking environmental hazards to predicting health outcomes and modelling the impacts of interventions, AI offers new potential to advance the goals of Planetary Health. However, alongside its opportunities, AI also raises critical ethical and environmental concerns, necessitating robust guardrails to ensure its responsible and prosocial application. This panel discussion will explore key developments in AI and its intersection with Planetary Health, focusing on how AI can be designed and implemented to drive positive societal and environmental outcomes. It will also provide insights into the ethical frameworks and standards necessary for mitigating risks and promoting sustainable AI applications. ▪ Sara Khalid - MODERATOR (University of Oxford) ▪ Cornelia Walther (University of Pennsylvania) ▪ Manish Pant (UNDP, USA) ▪ James Parr (Trillium Technologies) ▪ John Havens (IEEE Planet Positive 2030, Founding ED IEEE AI Ethics Initiative) ▪ Dr. Federica Lucivero (Ethox Institute, Oxford University) ▪ Josh Verkerke (Pacific Disaster Center) | Jurriaanse Room |
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Lightning talks session Abstracts of the following topics will be presented: • Health System Greening and Strengthening • Infectious Diseases and Environmental Change • Mental Health and Environmental Change • Planetary Health Education or Curriculum • Policy and Advocacy in Planetary Health • Technology (including AI) in Planetary Health • Urban Health and Sustainability For the overview of abstracts being presented, Click here | Room 5-8 (Van der Vorm, Plate, Van Rijckevorsel, Ruys Rooms) |
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16:00 - 17:30 | Poster Pitches Session Posters with the following topics will be presented / pitched: • Health System Greening and Strengthening • Infectious Diseases and Environmental Change • Mental Health and Environmental Change • Planetary Health Education or Curriculum • Technology (including AI) in Planetary Health • Urban Health and Sustainability" | Foyer |
FRIDAY | October 10
Oct 10 Time | Title and speakers | Location |
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08:15 - 16:00 | Registration & information desk open | Foyer |
08:15 - 09:00 | Welcome and registration delegates with coffee / tea | Foyer |
All day | Poster displays will be available on digital screens | Foyer |
09:00 - 10:30 | Plenary: A diverse and inclusive world for planetary health Planetary Health aspires to be both diverse and inclusive. Diversity means embracing differences in gender, race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, ability, cultural background, bodies, functionality, capabilities, and other identity factors. Inclusion involves actively engaging and valuing everyone's contributions, ensuring equal access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making processes. It means creating an environment where diverse voices are heard, respected, and integrated into actions and policies for Planetary Health. How far has the movement come in achieving diversity and inclusion? In this session, representatives from different marginalized groups will participate in a dialogue to unite various movements and struggles. The discussion will be dedicated to opening a conversation between different movements and their histories, fostering an exchange of practices and knowledge. ▪ Davide Ziveri - MODERATOR (Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Laetania Belai Djandam (Health in Harmony; Indigenous Environmental Activist, The Climate Reality Project Indonesia ) ▪ Aneth Gerana (FUWAVITA) ▪ Tara Daniel (Women’s Environment & Development Organization (WEDO)) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
10:30 - 11:00 | Morning coffee break | Foyer |
11:00 - 12:30 | Parallel sessions Health on the Move: Migration in a Changing Environment - A Fireside Chat Addressing the health, economic, and social challenges posed by mass migration due to climate-related disasters, droughts, and resource scarcity. ▪ Patricia Nayna Schwerdtle - MODERATOR (University of Melbourne) ▪ Muhammad Zaman (Center for Displacement) ▪ Ilse Ruyssen (Ghent University) ▪ Nicolas Bishop (IOMUN Migration) | Van Weelde Room |
Planetary Health Law: Legal Innovations for a Thriving Planet This session will explore the expanding breadth of legal frameworks, policies, and mechanisms to advance Planetary Health. Through diverse case studies from around the world, panelists will examine legal tools ranging from environmental and global health law, to human rights and trade. Attendees will gain insights into the successes and challenges of implementing legal strategies to address threats to Planetary Health, while also considering equity, justice, and community engagement. ▪ Alexandra Phelan - MODERATOR (Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health) ▪ Michele Goodwin (Georgetown O'Neill Center) ▪ Arpitha Kodiveri (Vassar College) ▪ Eric Ip (University of Hong Kong) ▪ Marlies Hesselman (University of Groningen) ▪ David W. Patterson (University of Groningen) | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
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Hydrology and Health: Systems approaches in human health and water management Water is a foundational determinant of human and planetary health, influencing everything from infectious disease dynamics to agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability. As climate change alters hydrological cycles and intensifies water-related risks, transdisciplinary, systems approaches are essential to understanding and managing the complex interdependencies between water and health. This panel explores the intersections of hydrology, environmental change, and human health, particularly on integrated approaches to water management and innovations to address pressing challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, pollution, heat stress, and inequities in access to clean water. The panel includes perspectives from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe, as well as a Netherlands case study of transdisciplinary research that integrates ecology, water management, climatology, and virology to explore dynamics of climate change, water management, and disease risk. ▪ Henk Ovink - MODERATOR (Economic Commission on Water) ▪ Dr. Ashraf Aly Hassan (United Arab Emirates University) ▪ Emile Sylvestre (Delft University of Technology) ▪ Duaa Mohamed Suliman Moh Noor (Mohamed Bin Rashid School of Government) ▪ Reina Sikkema (Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Center / Erasmus MC ) ▪ Marit Meier (Water Authority Schieland and the Krimpenerwaard) | Jurriaanse Room |
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12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch | Foyer |
13:30 - 15:30 | Closing Session: Mainstreaming Planetary Health: urgency and agency towards 2027 ▪ Jessica Kronstadt (Program Director, Planetary Health Alliance) ▪ Paul Polman (Rockefeller Foundation Board) ▪ Casimiro Vizzini (Africa-Europe Foundation) introducing Lidia Brito (UNESCO) ▪ Chiara Cadeddu & Annemiek Strijker (EUR) ▪ Rachel Marcus (Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health & Planetary Health Alliance) PHAM 2027 hosts | Plenary: Willem Burger Room |
FRIDAY | POST-CONFERENCE EVENT October 10
Oct 10 Time | Session | Venue |
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To join this tour, you need to subscribe for the entire conference. In the online registration form you can choose the 'Night Sky Tour'. | ||
walk-in from 19.30 hrs and start of the programme at 20.00 hrs | Night Sky Tour at ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo Join us after closing hours at ARTIS for a unique evening that takes you to the stars - beginning with a planetarium show and ending with an adventure in the darkness of Europe’s future urban night sky reserve. Explore how night, nature, and the unseen microbial world are all connected to our health and the planet’s well-being. Check the flyer for more information. | ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo |
the program is subject to change.
You need a password to download this abstract. You can request one by contacting pham2025@erasmusmc.nl.
Program for body & mind
Meditation / Mindfulness (2-3 minutes)
This short grounding practice uses posture, breath awareness, and gentle visualization to help participants reset mentally, release distractions, and arrive fully present for the session. Through guided cues, attendees connect with their body and breath, fostering calm focus and readiness.
Yoga: Stretch, Flow, Balance (20-25 minutes)
This 20-minute movement session guides participants through gentle stretches, breath-linked side bends, and a flowing yoga sequence with balancing postures, helping to release tension, build focus, and energize the body. It combines grounding, strength, and balance to prepare participants for the session ahead.
Tuesday
- 13:30 – 14:00 (30 min.) – Yoga - Stretch, Flow, Balance (Location: TBD)
- 16:00 – 16:05 (2-3 min.) – Meditation/Mindfulness (Location: Plenary)
Wednesday
- 10:30 – 10:35 (2-3 min.) – Meditation/Mindfulness (Location: Plenary)
- 13:30 – 14:00 (30 min.) – Yoga- Stretch, Flow, Balance (Location: TBD)
- 15:30 – 15:35 (2-3 min.) – Meditation/Mindfulness (Location: Plenary)
Thursday
- 10:30 – 10:35 (2-3 min.) – Meditation/Mindfulness (Location: Plenary)
- 13:30 – 14:00 (30 min.) – Yoga- Stretch, Flow, Balance (Location: TBD)
- 15:30 – 15:35 (2-3 min.) – Meditation/Mindfulness (Location: Plenary)
Friday
- 10:30 – 10:35 (2-3 min.) – Meditation/Mindfulness (Location: Plenary)
Opportunities
We are pleased to invite contributions for a Special Issue of Challenges featuring the proceedings of the Planetary Health Annual Meeting 2025. This Special Issue will spotlight new knowledge and practice from across disciplines—including science, policy, the humanities, and the arts—that advance the Planetary Health agenda. See the Challenges website for more information on the call for papers: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/challenges/special_issues/317F16PENA.
Sponsors
This meeting is sponsored by
Partners
Knowledge Partners
Under the patronage of
Rotterdam 2025