Young people to help shape healthier futures at ERS Congress 2026

Young people are not just the future of lung health, they are already helping to shape it through advocacy, education and action.

At this year’s European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona, the ELF Youth Group will host a special session exploring how young people are influencing lung health advocacy, education and policy, while helping to create healthier environments for future generations.

The session, “Inspiring youth to engage in healthy behaviours and the future of their lung health”, will take place on Wednesday 9 September 2026 from 09:00–10:30 CEST as part of the Wednesday special programme.

The event is free to attend and open to anyone with an interest in lung health, health promotion and youth engagement. Advance registration is required.

Introduced by Ed Powell, Chair of the ELF Youth Group, the session will bring together young advocates and experts who are helping to shape conversations around clean air, prevention and healthier futures. Speakers Elena Martí Barclay, Marlene Sorensen and Maksim Mironovas will share their experiences of advocating for better health, cleaner environments and greater youth involvement in decision-making.

Why youth engagement matters

Young people have unique insights into the challenges that affect their health, including air pollution, tobacco and nicotine use, and the environments where they live and learn. Giving them opportunities to participate in decision-making not only strengthens policies and programmes, but also helps ensure that solutions reflect the realities of everyday life.

The youth session at ERS Congress will spotlight inspiring youth-led action. Speakers include representatives from Project ZERO, a Spanish initiative mobilising Generation Z to become leaders in the fight for a tobacco-free future, and Bite Back, a youth movement campaigning to tackle junk food marketing and improve public health.

Speaking ahead of the event, Project ZERO Ambassador Carlos Navarrete Llamas, said:

“Youth collaboration is essential because young people do not make health decisions in the abstract. Our choices are shaped by the environments we live in every day: school courtyards, sports clubs, parks and concerts. That is why youth collaboration matters. When young people are given a seat at the table to shape policies, prevention becomes more relevant and effective. Better lung health cannot be designed for youth without being designed with youth.”

Opportunities to get involved

The session will conclude with a discussion on the future of the ELF Youth Group and the many ways that young people can contribute to lung health projects, campaigns and policy development across Europe.

Whether you are a young person interested in health, a healthcare professional, patient advocate, researcher or member of a community organisation, this session offers an opportunity to learn, connect and explore how youth voices can help shape healthier societies.

Register and help spread the word

We are particularly keen to encourage young people to attend and get involved in the conversation. If you work with youth groups, patient organisations, schools, universities or community networks, please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with your members and contacts.

The session will take place in person in Barcelona. There is no live online attendance option, but recordings will be made available after the event for those unable to join in person.

Learn more about the Wednesday special programme

Learn more about the ELF Youth Group