The 10th ICEVI-Europe International Conference received the “Inclusive Congress 2025” award at the Italian Knowledge Leaders event.

The award was presented at Rome’s Campidoglio, thanks to the nomination by the Padova Convention & Visitors Bureau, in collaboration with L.C. Congressi S.r.l. and the Robert Hollman Foundation.

Rome, 15 December 2025 — The 10th ICEVI-Europe International Conference (International Council for Education and Rehabilitation of People with Visual Impairment), held in Padova from 15 to 17 May 2025, received the “Inclusive Congress 2025” award at the Italian Knowledge Leaders event organized by Convention Bureau Italia.

This recognition was made possible thanks to the Padova Convention & Visitors Bureau (Consorzio DMO Padova), the city’s tourism and congress promotion agency, a member of the Padova Chamber of Commerce. Its support for the initiative, along with membership in Convention Bureau Italia, enabled the nomination.

The award was given to the ICEVI-Europe Conference in recognition of the numerous accessibility measures and solutions implemented, from the event website to materials such as programs, advertising, and invitations. All were designed with high-contrast colors, accessible fonts for people with visual impairments, and QR codes for audio reading via smartphone. Additional features included real-time broadcast information, signage, badges and posters in Braille, personalized inclusive menus, dedicated support services for visually impaired attendees, guide dogs, and the accessibility of all historic venues involved.

The 10th ICEVI-Europe International Conference

The 2025 edition of the conference focused on a central theme for the international community of professionals working with visually impaired individuals:

“SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: What can we do? What can be done?”

The program emphasized the need for a multidisciplinary approach in supporting children and young adults with visual impairments, exploring key aspects of their quality of life: medical and psychological care, education and schooling, rehabilitation, orientation and autonomy, and the development of life skills.

Maria Eleonora Reffo, Director General of the Robert Hollman Foundation, stated:
"The Padova edition of the 10th ICEVI-Europe Conference was an important opportunity to strengthen dialogue among international professionals on education, rehabilitation, and inclusion for children and young adults with visual impairments. One of our main goals in organizing the event was also to put into practice the care model that has inspired the Foundation’s clinical and professional work for 46 years. During the conference, we focused on creating an environment that promoted inclusion and participation for all, particularly through environmental adaptations and relational care."

A Collaborative Nomination

The nomination of the 10th ICEVI-Europe International Conference for the Italian Knowledge Leaders award was coordinated by the Padova Convention & Visitors Bureau, in collaboration with L.C. Congressi, the event’s organizing secretariat—a Padova-based company with thirty years of leadership in congresses, events, and travel, specialized in the medical-scientific field—under the expert guidance of CEO Loredana Capuzzo:

"The conference required rigorous strategic planning and meticulous operational coordination to ensure full accessibility and effective inclusion of all participants. Through proactive resource management and careful analysis of individual needs, every architectural and communication barrier was overcome, enabling equitable participation without obstacles. Thanks to this systematic approach and attention at every stage, the project achieved excellent results, earning wide acclaim and high satisfaction from both the organizing team and attendees."

Padova as Host City

The conference took place in some of Padova’s most significant venues, thanks to collaboration with the Municipality of Padova and the University of Padova, providing an ideal setting for an event focused on inclusivity. Iconic sites of Padova’s cultural and scientific heritage hosted plenary sessions, workshops, and parallel activities, allowing participants to experience the city’s urban fabric immersively.

The city’s hospitality, long-standing academic tradition, and growing commitment to inclusivity helped create a context aligned with the conference’s mission, promoting open dialogue among the scientific community, institutions, and social organizations.

Sergio Giordani, Mayor of Padova, emphasized:
"Last spring, Padova was proud to host the ICEVI-Europe Conference, and this national award once again confirms our city’s commitment to inclusion, ensuring participation for all, including people with disabilities, in social, cultural, economic, and tourist life."

Prof. Arfè, Delegate for Inclusion and Disability at the University of Padova, added:
"This recognition crowns a project of great scientific, cultural, and social value, in which the University participated with strong commitment. The ICEVI-Europe Conference represents not only a model of truly inclusive scientific event, but also the culmination of a shared journey: a networked effort in which the Robert Hollman Foundation, the University, the Municipality, and local associations actively collaborated to create an inclusion-focused project for both the city and conference participants. The result of this synergy enriched all involved."

Roberto Crosta, President of Consorzio DMO Padova (Padova Convention & Visitors Bureau), stated:
"This award is a source of great pride for Padova and the entire local system that works daily to make our city welcoming, accessible, and capable of generating value through knowledge. Padua will continue investing in events that combine scientific excellence, inclusivity, and cultural heritage promotion, contributing to sustainable development and the city’s international appeal."

Laura Favaretti, Head of Consorzio DMO Padova, added:
"This award demonstrates the effectiveness of a teamwork approach involving institutions, tourism operators, the congress sector, and scientific organizations, and reinforces our commitment to promoting high-quality congress tourism that is people-centered and leaves a positive legacy for the territory."