DAY 2 – Journey into paediatric research at the iCAN Summit in Montreal, Canada
Click HERE to read the news about Day 1 at the iCAN 2025 Summit
On Day 2 of the iCAN Summit, TEDDY KIDS presented their poster, showcasing all the amazing experiences they’ve had throughout the year — including the Kick-off Meeting of the Patient Expert Committee of the European project OrphaDev4Kids in Bologna, the ERDERA Young Patients Training in Athens, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and the INVENTS training in Bari last November.
Below, you can find the KIDS Bari and POLPEDNET (KIDS WARSAW) posters! Each poster represents the unique journey of each KIDS group, powerfully showcasing their growth, collaboration, and impact within the TEDDY KIDS Network and in paediatric research. They provide the international iCAN community with valuable insights into the projects, events, and energy that defined their year, highlighting how each group contributed to progress.
TEDDY KIDS also took part in several interactive activities during the iCAN Summit that allowed them to connect with other groups, exchange ideas, and build new relationships — both personally and for future projects.
DAY 3 – Exploring Youth Mental Health and the Wonders of Nature in Montréal
TEDDY KIDS engaged in thought-provoking sessions led by researchers from Medical Device Innovation Consortium – National Evaluation System for health Technology (MDIC Nest) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), focusing on key discussions surrounding youth mental health.
The natural curiosity of the TEDDY KIDS led them to experiment firsthand with scientific principles: they explored how electrical impulses travel through the human body. By connecting two participants with a special wire, the movement of one person’s arm generated a small electrical signal that was transmitted to the other, causing their hand to move automatically, without any voluntary effort. It was a striking and memorable way to understand how signals travel through nerves and muscles.
VIDEO
You can see the video also on YouTube [LINK]. Follow us to stay updated!
In the afternoon, all KIDS groups came together for a visit to the Montréal Biodome and the Botanical Gardens. This immersive experience offered a perfect blend of scientific discovery, cultural exploration, and natural beauty, as participants encountered diverse ecosystems and gained a deeper appreciation for the planet’s biodiversity. It was a day that seamlessly combined rigorous research with the wonder of nature.
DAY 4 – Final Day and Awards: Celebrating Engagement and Participation
The final day of the iCAN 2025 Summit was marked by a special moment of recognition.
During the ceremony, POLPEDNET (KIDS WARSAW), EYE YPAG LONDON, and KIDS Bari were awarded. KIDS Bari were awarded for their exceptional involvement and participation throughout the Summit, standing out as the most active and engaged group. These awards are a testament of TEDDY KIDS’ great work and engagement to help empower the paediatric community.
Feedback and Testimonials from the iCAN 2025 Summit
A participant from RAiN Ireland shared that this was his first experience at such an event and EYEYPAGLondon referred that the iCAN conference was an incredible experience. KIDS Umbria described the summit as a stimulating experience that reminded everyone of the importance of active youth involvement for youth. During the summit, young people worked together to create a position paper, a document that outlines suggestions on how medical practices could be improved, with a special focus on young patients.
KIDS Rare Hellas pointed out that although the event was well-organized, some of the practical activities lacked clear instructions and were difficult to follow. They also felt the schedule was very tight, leaving little time to reflect on the discussions. Despite these minor difficulties, they acknowledged the value of the event and the importance of international collaboration, which allowed them to expand their network of support.
Watch the full presentation of KIDS Rare Hellas on YouTube [LINK]
Lastly, members of POLPEDNET (KIDS Warsaw) presented their achievements to date and plans for the coming years, offering a valuable insight into how support networks can evolve over time. Please take a look at their post on LinkedIn [LINK].
Final thoughts
We highlight that Daniele Sciacqua (KIDS Bari) and Gabriela Szymańska (POLPEDNET) were part of the planning team for this year’s event, making a significant contribution to the organization and success of the Summit. Read the news on TEDDY website [LINK].
As the TEDDY Network, we are thrilled to see young and brilliant minds involved in educational and inclusive initiatives like the one presented by iCAN. Their enthusiasm and passion for paediatric research are truly inspiring. It is thanks to the active contribution of young people and their eagerness to learn that paediatric research and innovation continue to progress, improving the health of children and young adults.
