Conferences

National Williams-Beuren Conference in Willingen, Germany 8-10 May 2026

In Willingen (Germany) the 14th 3-annual Conference took place of the German WS association Bundesverband Williams-Beuren-Syndrom e.V. from 8 till 10 May 2026. It was the largest Williams Syndrome conference ever in Germany and probably even in Europe. Some figures: 897 participants, 239 families, 234 Williams people, 177 children with 43 care takers, 108 Williams adults and 19 helpers for them, 14 speeches, 35 workshops, 6 round tables, 37 speakers and 7 consultation hours. And FEWS was present with a booth at the conference.

These were three days of information and interaction about Williams Syndrome. Every family member had his/her own timetable and program, whether they were parent, Williams person, siblings or other family members, adult, child or youngster.

The Conference gave uncountable hours of action, fun and happiness. Thanks to all the helpers, the speakers and the organizers! You can find the full program on https://bvt.w-b-s.de/. And a review video is available on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wbsbundesverband.

International Williams Conference in Geneva 22-23 June 2024

The Williams France Federation organized its International Symposium on Williams syndrome “Advancing with Williams Syndrome” in close collaboration with the CORAIL Center, the Rare Diseases Center of the Geneva University Hospital, and the Swiss Williams Beuren association in Geneva, Switzerland with the participation of 16+ French and International experts. The conference was in French and English. The conference took place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June 2024. You can find the full program on https://williams-france.org/program-in-en/. The objective was to enhance the understanding of advancements in research, provide better support for our families, and place them at the center of this event.

The symposium was a great success with 340 attendees. It contributed to new and better contacts between researchers internationally. Cross fertilization of ideas and research eventually helps Williams people towards a better life.

International Williams Syndrome Conference, Rome, 21-22 October 2022

On 21 and 22 October 2022, there was an International Williams Syndrome Conference in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University. It focused on the Clinical, Genetical and Social aspects of the syndrome. During the first day, medical issues were addressed with the contribution of national and international experts. On the second day the problem of job placement from different points of view was addressed. Several bodies and cooperatives that have been investing for years in this sector, presented their work and representatives of the different international associations explained how in this aspect of adult life is managed in their countries. Participation was possible both in presence and remotely. Languages were Italian and English.

Here is a link for more information: https://www.aisw.it/index.php/it/conferenza-internazionale-williams-syndrome-2022. And here you can find the recordings of the conference.

Williams Syndrome Conference, Novi Sad, 20 October 2019

On October 20th 2019, The Serbian Williams Syndrome association organized in cooperation with FEWS its first conference on Williams Syndrome. The goal was to bring together families with a Williams person and professionals from Serbia and the neighbouring countries to learn more about the syndrome and to meet each other. National and international speakers spoke about various topics such as anxiety, promoting Inclusive Learning, language abilities, diagnostics, treatment and follow up, group therapies for siblings and initiatives at the European level for rare diseases. There were around 100 attendees from Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The presentations were in English with simultaneous translation in Serbian.

Being a small organization with a limited number of families and resources, this meeting was a milestone for the Serbian Williams Syndrome association.

International Conference ‘Building our Future’ in Madrid, 10-11 November, 2017

ASWE considers of a crucial importance to create spaces for learning, knowledge, participation, opinion, collaboration and cooperation among all those who are in favour of the scientific and social investigation of Williams-Beuren Syndrome, such as people with SWB, relatives, and medical-socio-health specialists.

For this reason, this International Meeting is an excellent opportunity to achieve our goals such as promoting the existence of Williams Syndrome Beuren to the population, as well as continue growing and advancing in the field of the syndrome to improve the quality of life of people who suffer it.

The main objectives of the meeting are to provide updated information on existing research on Williams Syndrome Beuren and its results and to report on the existence and benefits of different specific care treatments that can be done by people with Williams Syndrome Beuren. We will also have first-person success experiences in various areas within the collective. The European Federation of Williams Syndrome will also report on their activities.

The lectures on Friday, November 10 will focus on medical research conducted by different international specialists from Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Portugal. Besides we include roundtable discussions of experiences in Europe in collaboration with FEWS. The official language of this day will be English, with simultaneous translation into Spanish.

On Saturday November 11 will be devoted to roundtables discussions on medical and psychological aspects, language, comprehensive care, and personal experiences of success told in first person. The official language will be Spanish, with simultaneous translation into English. (source: http://jiasw.sindromewilliams.org/conferences/?lang=en)

International Conference ‘Harmonize Williams Syndrome in Europe’ in Rome, 17-18 October, 2015

The Italian Williams Syndrome Association has organised the International Conference “Harmonize Williams Syndrome in Europe” in Rome on 17th October 2015 at the Aula Magna of the Pontificia Università Lateranense. The Conference focussed on recent discoveries in molecular biology and on clinical, neuro-psychological, therapeutical and endocrinological aspects of Williams Syndrome. The European Williams Syndrome Associations reported on their activities.

On Sunday 18th October the Williams Family Day “Real Fun Surrounded by Nature” at Parco Avventura Riva dei Tarquini in Tarquinia took place with an open discussion between national experts and families. More info can be found here.

International Williams Syndrome Conference in Budapest, 21-23 November, 2014

The European Federation of Williams Syndrome (FEWS) has organised in cooperation with the Hungarian Williams Syndrome Association a European Conference on the Williams-Beuren Syndrome to raise the awareness on this rare disease, make the stakeholder groups more interactive and establish international cooperation on expert field. The focus was to share good practices and knowledge on the disease between European Countries with a good expertise and other European Countries with lesser experience on the syndrome.
The Conference targetted professionals in different areas from different countries, who, by their professional position, have an impact on spreading the awareness and knowledge about Williams syndrome:

• Health professionals and caregivers
• Researchers, clinicians and academics

The Conference language was English and ran from Friday evening 21st till Sunday 23rd November, 2014 in Hotel Benczur in Budapest, Hungary.
International speakers with expertise in Williams syndrome presented during the Conference various topics: paediatrics, cardiology, genetics, education, dental care, psychology, psychiatry, linguistics, music therapy, pharma research, sleeping problems. And around 20 Posters were also presented. More details can be found here.

And more …

International Williams Syndrome Conference – 2008