Summary - Faculty of Paediatrics Autumn Conference: Every Child- Every Future

This year’s RCPI Faculty of Paediatrics Autumn Conference will explore how we can transform the world for children with disabilities while recognising the rapidly changing environment in which all children grow, learn and thrive.

Alongside clinical perspectives, a special presentation will be delivered by Sinéad Burke who is an internationally recognised disability advocate, educator and entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Tilting the Lens, a global consultancy that helps organisations design more accessible and inclusive systems. Through her work, she champions the rights of children and adults with disabilities, advocating for environments where every child can participate, belong and thrive.

Founder of Ireland's national autism charity AsIAm Adam Harris will speak about campaigning on behalf of autistic people and their families to advance the rights and inclusion of autistic people through public policy, education and awareness.

The 2026 Annual Ralph Counahan Memorial lecture will be delivered by Dr Julie Hauer. Dr Hauer is a consultant at Seven Hills Paediatric Centre in Massachusetts and has been on the faculty at Boston Children's Hospital since 2009. With more than 30 years' experience caring for children with severe neurological impairment and complex medical needs, she is internationally recognised for her expertise in complex symptom management, shared decision-making and paediatric end-of-life care. Her work has helped shape approaches to improving the quality of care and outcomes for children with medical complexity and their families.

As part of the EU Presidency programme, we will hear from experts on the evolving challenges of vaping among young people, the development of EU legislation to safeguard children as they navigate the digital world, and how innovation and advances in technology are transforming care and improving quality of life for children living with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Updates will be shared from national clinical programmes and from the areas of neonatology, paediatric cardiology, paediatric nephrology, allergy and neurodisability.

The autumn conference by RCPI Faculty of Paediatrics is a key event in the college year.

Learning Outcomes

Following attendance at this conference, participants will be able to:

Describe current developments within national paediatric and neonatal clinical programmes.
Discuss key European Child health priorities and their impact on clinical practice.
Evaluate the role of digital innovation and emerging technologies in paediatric healthcare.
Recognise the importance of advocacy, inclusion, and patient engagement in improving health outcomes.
Review recent advances across a range of paediatric specialties.
Identify opportunities to incorporate evidence-based developments into paediatric clinical care.
Reflect on multidisciplinary approaches to improving outcomes for children and young people.