We know a great deal about what works in NCD prevention, but putting that knowledge into policy and practice remains a challenge. How can communication help close this implementation gap?
Join JA PreventNCD, JACARDI and WHO/Europe for Translating Evidence Into Policy & Practice Through Strategic Public Health Communication, a practical capacity-building event for communication professionals and subject-matter experts working in public health.
6–7 October 2026 · UN City, Copenhagen and online
Tuesday 12:30–17:00 · Wednesday 09:00–16:00 · All times CET (Copenhagen time).
In-person registration has now been closed but you can still register for online participation.
Purpose and expected outcomes
Public health initiatives produce valuable evidence, tools, pilot results and recommendations. Their impact depends on whether this work reaches the right decision-makers, at the right time, in a clear and actionable form, supported by purposeful engagement and follow-up.
This event will explore how communication professionals and subject-matter experts can work together to help evidence inform policy and practice. Participants will gain practical approaches to:
- Identify and understand relevant policymakers and opportunities for engagement.
- Translate scientific and technical findings into clear policy messages and actionable recommendations.
- Select appropriate communication products, channels and messengers, and plan targeted outreach and follow-up.
- Work effectively with the media and respond to changing communication challenges.
- Apply these approaches to real policy challenges in a practical group workshop.
The programme also offers opportunities for networking, peer exchange and learning across organisations and countries.
Who should attend?
The event is intended for communication professionals and subject-matter experts working in public health, including representatives from WHO, Joint Actions, ministries of health, public health institutes, research organisations and other organisations working at the science-policy interface.
It is particularly relevant to colleagues leading work packages, tasks and pilots, and those working on policy communication, stakeholder engagement, dissemination, policymaker outreach, campaigns and strategic communication planning.
Registration
In-person registration has now been closed but you can still register for online participation below.
Register for Day 1
Register for Day 2
- Dates: Tuesday–Wednesday, 6–7 October 2026.
- Times: Tuesday 12:30–17:00; Wednesday 09:00–16:00. All programme times are CET (Copenhagen time).
- Venue: UN City, Copenhagen.
- Format: Hybrid, with in-person and online participation.
- Jointly organised by: WHO Regional Office for Europe, JA PreventNCD and JACARDI.
For questions, contact [email protected].
Programme
Below you can find the confirmed programme.
Tuesday 6 October 2026
12:30–17:00 CET
12:30–13:00 Opening
Welcome and opening remarks
- Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe, Director, Prevention and Health Promotion, WHO Regional Office for Europe
- Knut-Inge Klepp, PhD, MPH, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Scientific Coordinator of JA PreventNCD
- Dr Benedetta Armocida, MD, PhD | European Coordinator of JACARDI (TBC)
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13:00–13:15 Presentation
From communication to policy impact in the EU context
- Antonio Parenti, Director for Public Health, Cancer and Health Security, DG SANTE, European Commission
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13:15–13:35 Presentation
From Parking Spaces to Healthy Places - Translating Public Health Evidence into Urban Action
- Christine Mikkelsen, Advisor, Department of Strategy and Mobility at Agder County Municipality, Norway / Pilot Lead - Transformation of the Schoolyard at Arendal Upper Secondary School
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13:35–14:20 Panel
Panel discussion: We know what works, but how do we make it matter? How does strategic communication support policy action
Panelists
- Kremlin Wickramasinghe - WHO Regional Office for Europe
- Hanna Tolonen - Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
- Betina Bergmann Madsen – City of Copenhagen
- Jacob Schouenborg - International Sport and Culture Association
- Birgit Beger - European Heart Network
Moderators
- Benedetta Armocida - JACARDI
- Knut-Inge Klepp - JA PreventNCD
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14:50–15:20 Keynote
Keynote: Rethinking how we communicate about health
- Steve Hamill, VP of Policy Advocacy and Communication, Vital Strategies
- Martine Chaussard, Deputy Director, Policy Advocacy and Communication, Vital Strategies
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15:20–16:00 Lightning presentations
How do we communicate effectively when the story keeps changing? (lightning presentations on new communications challenges)
- Catherine Paradis – alcopops and new alcoholic industry tactics in Europe
- Angela Ciobanu – flavours of novel tobacco products
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16:00–16:45 Presentations
Campaigning in Europe, possibilities and barriers. Communication approaches in practice
- Anita Thorolvsen Munch - JA PreventNCD
- Veronika D’Anna - WHO/Europe
- Nóra Strommer - JACARDI
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16:45–17:00 Closing
Wrap-up of Day 1
- Aleksandra Olsen, Communications Officer, WHO/Europe
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Wednesday 7 October 2026
09:00–16:00 CET
9:00–9:10 Recap
Recap of Day 1
- Sólveig Karlsdóttir - JA PreventNCD
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9:10–9:20 Presentation
Communicating the Safe Hearts Plan
- Claire Hewitt, DG Sante communications
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9:20–9:40 Presentation
Implementing the Safe Hearts Plan on national level
- Hanna Tolonen, Deputy Director General, Research, Development and Innovation, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), JACARDI & JA PreventNCD
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9:40–10:00 Presentations
Closing the gap: Putting women's cardiovascular health on the agenda
- Yoko Inagaki, WHO/Europe,
- Manisha Nair, Copenhagen University
- James Kennedy, European Society of Cardiology
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10:00–10:15 Presentation
How latest CVD evidence supports EHN advocacy and campaign work
- Alessandra Boschi, Communications Coordinator (EHN)
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10:45–11:30 Presentation
Constructive journalism
- Louise Sloth, DR journalist on health, Denmark
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11:30–11:40 Presentation
Communicating Evidence for Media and Policy: Practical Tips
- Cristina Cebrián Méndez, JACARDI
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11:40–12:00 Panel
How can we work with media on health topics more effectively?
Panelists
- Bhanu Bhatnagar, Media lead, WHO/Europe
- Freyr Guðlaugsson, JA PreventNCD
- Cristina Cebrián Méndez, JACARDI
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13:00–13:45 Workshop
Communicating with policymakers: practical walkthrough from evidence to policy action
- JA PreventNCD & JACARDI Communications teams
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13:45–14:50 Workshop
Group workshop: applying the process
- JA PreventNCD & JACARDI Communications teams
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14:50–15:30 Workshop
Group presentations and reflections
- JA PreventNCD & JACARDI Communications teams
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15:30–15:50 Panel
Panel feedback and key takeaways
- JA PreventNCD & JACARDI Communications teams
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15:50–16:00 Closing
Wrap-up of Day 2
- Aleksandra Olsen, Communications Officer, WHO/Europe
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