CI ADVOCACY IN ACTION: FIRST GLOBAL CONFERENCE MAY 2024
Come and join us in Brussels for the first Global Conference on CI ADVOCACY IN ACTION. This in-person event will be held at the Maison des Associations Internationales in 40 Rue Washington, Brussels, 1050 on 9th – 10th May 2024. See https://www.mai.be/
Register here! Reduced rate available for CI users
CIICA’s goal is to increase access to CI for and lifelong services globally.
How do we advocate for this?
What does successful advocacy look like?
How do we overcome our challenges?
Successful Advocacy is key to expanding access to Cochlear Implants and lifelong services.
Hear about how groups of parents, young people and advocates have achieved success, learn from professional advocates what works, share your challenges and get new ideas by networking with global partners. Learn about the evidence obtained in our global survey CI SERVICES MATTER, from Prof Connie Mayer, York University, Toronto and how you can use the report and briefing in your advocacy work.
This first-ever global advocacy conference on Cochlear Implants will provide crucial learning opportunities and a chance to be part of a global movement for change.
We are delighted that Dr Shelly Chadha, Technical lead, Ear and Hearing Care at the World Health Organization 
will be welcoming you to our conference with Dr Carolina Der who will be challenging us with:
How can we provide access to cochlear implants in LMICs? A discussion from a public health point of view.
Sara Rubinelli, Professor of Health Communication at the University of Lucerne, will challenge us to deliver
The Transformative Power of Advocacy in Changing Our World
Frances Gallimore, Dutch Writer and Content Creator will entertain us with her take on CI Advocacy in Action – her daily experiences dealing with hearing loss as a CI user. See her book, now in English: 
Your Voice: There will be 9 short slots for you to share your advocacy success! Let us know if you are interested – email info@ciicanet.org. We also wish to receive no more than four slides about your advocacy activities which we can showcase at the event.
Launching new resources: We look forward to launching two new resources for advocacy work:
- Literacy outcomes in children with CI
- Advocacy Guidelines
- and our Young Adults with CI group will be introducing themselves as a new Stakeholder Group
Join us for an informal networking dinner at La Cocina on Thursday 9th May
CIICA will be hosting an informal evening meal on the Thursday evening at Cocina Chatelain restaurant, Cocina Chatelain – France | Squadra Cocina just a five minute walk from the main hotels.
This networking dinner will be casual and sociable, allowing you to circulate with your peers from the conference, whilst enjoying a delicious Italian selection of antipasti, pasta dishes and dessert, with wine/beer/soft drinks included.
Click here for menu information.
To reserve your place for dinner, please add the ‘Evening Dinner (Day 1)’ ticket when registering for the conference.
Please note that in order to provide quality food and service, tickets are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
We hope you will join us at Cocina Chatelain, Rue Washington 149, 1050 Ixelles!
How to register
Register here! Reduced rate available for CI users
Fee: the registration fee is 215 Euros, plus booking fee.
If you are a CI user, you may be eligible for a 77% discount on the ticket price. Please email us at info@ciicanet.org and we will send you a discount code to apply at the checkout (ticket quantities are limited to 30).
Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible and the conference will have captioning in English, French, Spanish, German and Dutch, with other languages on request.
Sponsorship: There are number of sponsorship packages are also available. Email to info@ciicanet.org to see how you can showcase your advocacy activities and resources at this event.
Useful information:
Travel information: Brussels is well served by air and train and road – go to How to get to Brussels | Visit Brussels for further information. MAI is 10 mins by taxi from the Central Station and Brussels is well served by UBER.
For travel around Brussels go to Get around | Visit Brussels
Hotel Information: please book soon as this is a holiday weekend in Belgium and busy! There are a number of hotels nearby and BnB and apartments available.
Download list of local hotel options here
Nearby car parking:
– Bepark: Avenue Louise, 196
– Bepark: Place Châtelain
– Bepark: Avenue Louise, 225
– Bepark: Avenue Louise, 350
– Bepark: Rue de Tenbosch, 18
Brussels is a great international city, and where CIICA has its legal home at MAI. Come for the conference, learn a lot, share a lot then enjoy a weekend in Brussels!
CIICA TEAM welcome you!
With many thanks to all our supporters including:
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
