On September 23, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa hosted PalliFest 2026, an event dedicated to celebrating, sharing, and promoting palliative care.

Under the theme “Celebrating Care. Valuing Life,” PalliFest brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, students, families, volunteers, and various community partners for a day marked by reflection, the sharing of experiences, and the appreciation of different forms of care.

Among the morning’s highlights, the workshop “Memories and Legacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” led by Renato Pombinho and Rita Barroso, prompted reflection on the new possibilities and challenges that technology presents for preserving memory and legacy. Meanwhile, the workshop on Comics and Palliative Care, featuring Luísa Pereira, Sílvia Sereno, and Filipe Duarte, explored alternative ways to communicate and address topics related to end-of-life care and caregiving.

In the afternoon, the program featured national and international experts who offered diverse perspectives on palliative care. Naheed Dosani addressed palliative care for vulnerable populations; Paulo Carvalho reflected on Portuguese Sign Language and palliative care; while Julia Downing and Ana Lacerda shared experiences and challenges related to pediatric palliative care.

The PalliFest Market ran alongside the scientific program throughout the morning, providing a platform for projects, institutions, and initiatives related to palliative care and creating opportunities for different people and organizations to meet and share ideas.

Through this initiative, the School of Health Sciences and Nursing reaffirms its commitment to promoting a culture of care and to valuing palliative care as a fundamental aspect of health, education, and society.