Learn
Access the latest evidence, clinical knowledge and emerging developments.
01
Vision
Statement
Our vision is a world where everyone can achieve their greatest potential through better rehabilitation: where evidence and lived experience shape practice, innovation is translated into meaningful solutions, and professionals and organisations work together across traditional boundaries.
Building the Future of Rehabilitation - Together.
02
Mission
Six commitments
Our mission is to connect the global rehabilitation community and turn knowledge into meaningful action, by:
- 1Connecting people across disciplines, countries and sectors
- 2Sharing evidence, experience and practical knowledge
- 3Challenging existing approaches and encouraging new thinking
- 4Translating research and innovation into clinical practice and real-world solutions
- 5Empowering professionals and people with lived experience to influence and cocreate the future of rehabilitation
- 6Accelerating collaboration between healthcare, research, industry and the wider community
2.4 billion
people worldwide need rehabilitation. Source: World Health Organization.
03
The approach
Four movements
Challenge
Question established thinking, discuss difficult issues and explore new perspectives.
Connect
Build meaningful relationships across disciplines, professions, countries and sectors.
Create
Turn ideas and connections into collaboration, innovation and better outcomes.
Four movements, in order. The Summit is built around connection, collaboration and action, and it brings together perspectives that are too often separated.
04
Committees and advisory boards
In formation
Not yet installed
Board names and the oversight structure are being finalised with the founding committees.
The Scientific Committee is being formed. Leave your email to hear who joins, and when the call for abstracts opens.
Tell me when this is installed
What’s confirmed?
Updated 7 September 2026
Confirmed
- Dates
- 26–31 October 2027
- City
- Bruges, Belgium
- Seven communities
- Clinical practice, research, lived experience, technology, industry, education and policy
- Scientific themes
- Four main themes, each with its subthemes
- Submission tracks
- Six, from Focused Symposia to Instructional Workshops
- Language
- English, for abstracts and presentations
- Abstract submission
- Opens Autumn 2026
Still to be confirmed
- Scientific Committee
- Being formed. Members are published as they are confirmed.
- Abstract deadlines
- Provisional until the call opens. Exact dates and the submission platform come with the call.
- How abstracts are reviewed
- By the Scientific Committee and its Reviewing Panel. The procedure is published with the call.
- Indexing and proceedings
- Not decided. Nothing is promised until it is.
- Registration fees
- Published when registration opens.
- Practical information
- Visas and hotel rates are in preparation. Travel is published.
This list changes only when the founding team confirms something. If you need an answer before it is published, write to us.
05
The seven communities
One structure
Clinical practice
Research
Lived experience
Technology
Industry
Education
Policy
Seven communities. One structure.
06
Independence
Two guarantees
The Summit is built on transparent governance, inclusive representation and a balance of evidence, lived experience and practical relevance.
Associations and partners participate without compromising their identity, governance or existing priorities.
07
Governance and non-profit oversight
Two entities
IRSI is being built as two organisations rather than one. A non-profit holds the scientific side. A separate commercial company holds the platform, the Summit's operation, training and consultancy.
Sponsorship and partnership sit on the commercial side. They do not sit with the people who decide what goes into the programme.
That separation is the point of the structure, and it is the one part of the governance that is settled. The non-profit's board, the Scientific Committee and the rules the committee will work to are still being finalised, and we will name them here as they are agreed rather than before.
Read how the Scientific Committee is being formed, or what a partner can and cannot influence.
08
Enquiries
Contact
Building the Future of Rehabilitation Together.
Associations, partners and press are welcome to write. The exact form of any involvement is shaped together, in line with your own priorities.
Write to the IRSI office, or read how partnership works.
The International Rehabilitation Summit. 26 to 31 October 2027, Bruges, Belgium.
