Pre-conference Events
Each year, we offer a range of pre-conference events designed to bring together our diverse audiences, including community members, researchers, nurses, and professionals working in prisons. These events provide a valuable opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn with those closest to your field.
Exact timings are subject to change.
Policy Day
- Monday 5 October 2026
- 8:30 am–1:00 pm
- In person only
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
As health systems evolve and funding landscapes shift, integration is becoming an increasingly important consideration for harm reduction and related health services. The INHSU 2026 Policy Day will bring together global experts, policymakers, researchers, community representatives, and service providers to explore the opportunities, challenges, and practical considerations of integration.
Through case studies, discussion, and collaborative problem-solving, participants will examine approaches to integrating harm reduction within broader health systems while maintaining access, quality, and community-centred care.
Join us for this interactive session to share experiences, identify best practices and common pitfalls, and contribute to the future of integrated health service delivery.
How to register: Fill in our Expression of Interest form here.
Prison Health in Action: Scaling Up Hepatitis C Prevention, Testing and Treatment in Carceral Settings
- Tuesday 6 October
- 8:30am – 12:30pm
- In-person only
- Free to attend, tickets available to conference delegates
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
Ahead of the INHSU Conference 2026, join colleagues from around the world for a focused, interactive pre-conference event dedicated to strengthening infectious disease prevention, testing and treatment in prisons and jails.
- Learn of the current landscape of HCV and harm reduction in European prisons, highlighting policy, systems and service delivery gaps.
- Explore common implementation challenges and practical solutions
- Participate in a structured global panel discussion, drawing on diverse regional experiences to identify transferable lessons and scalable approaches.
- Connect with peers during dedicated networking time, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across jurisdictions.
This event will provide a collaborative space to move beyond theory and into action—supporting participants to leave with concrete ideas, adaptable tools, and strengthened international connections to accelerate hepatitis C elimination efforts in prisons and jails worldwide.
How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process.
Community Day
- Tuesday 6 October
- 10:00am – 4:00pm
- In-person only
- Free to attend
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
The Community Day is open to delegates with living or lived experience of drug use. The INHSU Community Day is a vital part of the INHSU Conference, bringing together people with experience of using drugs and ensuring their voice is amplified during the conference and beyond. The day is organised for the community, by the community, led by the INHSU Community Committee.
How to register: Sign up during the conference registration process.
EMCR workshop
- Tuesday 6 October
- 10am-12pm
- In-person only
- Free to attend
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
This workshop is organised by our INHSU Early-Mid-Career Special Interest Group (INHSU EMCR). This interactive workshop will provide practical tools, strategies, and insights to help EMCRs advance their research, enhance their professional development, and strengthen their network within the field. Full details will be released soon.
How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process.
EMCR & Nurses Workshop
- Tuesday 6 October
- 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- In-person only
- Free to attend
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
This interactive pre-conference workshop brings together nurses, trainees, and early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) to strengthen collaboration, mentorship, and leadership in hepatitis C care and research. Participants will explore real-world examples of nurse-led models of care, engage in small-group discussions on implementation and evaluation, and build new professional networks to support future research and practice initiatives. The workshop will provide practical tools, collaborative learning opportunities, and space to shape future nurse-led and early-career research partnerships.
How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process.
Early-Mid-Career-Researcher, Nurses and Community Networking Event
- Tuesday 6 October
- 4:15pm – 6:00pm
- In-person only
- Free to attend
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague
Open to all Nurses, EMCRs and people with living and lived experience of drug use attending INHSU 2026, this networking event provides a chance to break down barriers and connect with people with interests in the health of people who use drugs. This event is scheduled ahead of the main conference to help build connections to last throughout and after the conference.
How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process.
Nurse’s Breakfast
- Wednesday 7 October
- 7:00am – 8:30am
- In-person only
- Free to attend
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
This event, open to all nurses attending INHSU 2026, offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nursing peers over breakfast and tea. It’s a chance to share insights and learn about innovative nurse-led models of care for people who use drugs from around the globe. With a growing number of nurses driving change in care models, this networking event aims to inspire collaboration and further the impact of nursing practice in this field.
How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process.
General Assembly Meeting & Networking Event
- Wednesday 7 October
- 5:30pm – 6:30pm followed by networking drinks
- In-person and online
- Open to INHSU members. Become a member here
- Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
How to register: Members will be provided a link to register for the GAM.