This article builds on discussions held within PREZODE’s Equity Working Group, which focused on the need to reduce structural barriers to participation in scientific and policy events.
PREZODE is pleased to highlight the 2º Congresso Nacional da Saúde e Ambiente (CNSA2026), titled “Juntos pela saúde das pessoas e do planeta”, which will take place on 9–10 April 2026 at the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon, Portugal. Organised by the Portuguese Council for Health and Environment, the congress will bring together researchers, policymakers, health professionals, and civil-society actors to address the interconnections between human health, environmental sustainability, and planetary resilience.
At a time when health and environmental challenges are increasingly intertwined at global scale, CNSA2026 aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collective solutions. The event provides a space to share scientific evidence, policy perspectives, and practical experiences that support integrated approaches to safeguarding both people and the planet.
Early registration is encouraged to secure a place at this accessible and timely event:
Removing financial barriers to participation
A defining feature of CNSA2026 is its strong commitment to accessibility. Attendance is free of charge, with registration open to all (subject to venue capacity), and includes digital certificates and selected refreshments. This approach directly tackles one of the most persistent barriers to participation in conferences: high registration costs.
Such barriers disproportionately affect participants from low- and middle-income countries, early-career researchers, independent experts, and practitioners without institutional support, limiting diversity and global representation in scientific exchange.
A broader conversation on inclusive conferences
These concerns are echoed in the article “How conferences can assure global participation”, published by the Complexity Science Hub. The article highlights how registration fees, travel, and accommodation costs systematically constrain who is able to take part in scientific and policy discussions, reinforcing existing inequities.
To address these challenges, Rafael Prieto-Curiel from the Complexity Science Hub initiated the Open Arms Grant at NetSci2023. Joined by Ola Megahed Ali, they highlight practical insights and lessons learned from efforts to actively support broader and more inclusive participation in international conferences.
The authors argue that reducing or eliminating participation fees, alongside targeted support mechanisms, is a key step toward more equitable, diverse, and impactful conferences.
Alignment with PREZODE’s mission
By moving in this direction, CNSA2026 provides a concrete example of how events can foster inclusive knowledge sharing. This approach closely aligns with PREZODE’s mission to promote globally representative, collaborative efforts at the interface of health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.
PREZODE encourages its partners, working groups members, and broader community to engage with and support initiatives that actively lower barriers to participation.