Your Account
Four Years of EMSP Conferences: What I’ve Learned and Where We’re Headed
07.04.2025Contributed by: Tania Pilz, Young People’s Representative, EMSP
There was a time when conferences took place exclusively online. The year was 2021—the world was in the grip of a pandemic. While those days may feel like a distant memory, only four years have passed. Four years of a health crisis. Four years of resilience, adaptation, and transformation. And four years since I attended my first EMSP Conference. Here’s what I have learned—and why young people play an important part at these conferences.
In 2021, I attended my first-ever EMSP Annual Conference. That year, the conference tackled the evolving landscape of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) care, bringing together over 800 key delegates from across Europe—virtually. Despite the physical distance, there was a detectable sense of connection. One of the highlights was the MS Nurse Pro project, an initiative that remains vital today.
I can’t recall every detail of the discussions, but I vividly remember the warmth and inclusivity of the community. As a young person living with Multiple Sclerosis, I was welcomed into the conversation, even when I didn’t fully understand terms like policymaking, stakeholder engagement, or the MS Barometer.
Then came a defining moment. On the final day, I was introduced to the Young People’s Network (YPN), represented by Patrik Puljić from Croatia. He stood confidently, leading an online workshop and advocating for youth involvement in MS advocacy. I remember thinking: I don’t know who these people are and why they know so much about Multiple Sclerosis, but I want to be one of them someday.
Fast forward to 2025: Here I am now, gearing up for another EMSP Annual Conference—only this time, I’m no longer just an attendee. Now, I’m actively presenting, organising, and shaping the experience to make it an engaging and inclusive event for all. Can you believe how the tables have turned?
The Year I Made Things Awkward—in a Good Way
2022 was a tough year, and attending the EMSP Annual Conference in Madrid wasn’t in my plans. But 2023? That’s the one I’ll be telling my grandkids about.
The place? Helsinki. The month? May. It was my first time attending as an official member of the Young People’s Network—and my first time as a speaker.
Until then, I had never fully grasped the power of my voice. Public speaking had always been a daunting challenge, but EMSP believed in me. They encouraged me to step up, and I accepted the challenge.
When the spotlight hit my face, I was asked to share my perspective as a young person living with MS. For a brief moment, it felt like it was just me and Donna Nahal from the UK in the room. Together, we highlighted the need for inclusivity, ensuring that Young People, Black and People of Color, Migrants and Expats, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other under-represented groups with MS have a seat at the table in advocacy and decision-making.
The room was charged. Some applauded my courage, while others sat in thoughtful silence, absorbing the gravity of our words. But that initial nervousness? It faded the moment I rejoined my dear friends from the Young People’s Network at the Young People’s Festival that year.
What followed was a day filled with dynamic discussions on employment, self-advocacy, and the role of young people in shaping the Multiple Sclerosis Community. Who knew advocacy could be this exhilarating?
2024: All Eyes on Young People
In 2024, I returned to the EMSP Annual Conference with newfound confidence. This time, I was invited to speak about social policies and how to make them more inclusive. Little did I know, I would be stepping into big shoes, when I was asked to join the EMSP’s Executive Committee as a young people’s representative.
From the moment I was endorsed by my local MS Society in Austria, I took my role seriously. So when I was tasked with increasing youth involvement, I didn’t hesitate. I gathered all the YPN members and young attendees at the conference, and together, we took on the challenge of amplifying the One Million Minds campaign.
For the first time, young people took center stage at a conference like this. EMSP proudly introduced the YPN video for the One Million Minds campaign, and YPN members were featured as panelists. We stood together — not just as individuals, but as a group proudly representing young people living with MS across Europe.
The 2024 EMSP Annual Conference was a proud moment for me. It was my first time being deeply involved—not just as a speaker, but as part of the team working behind the scenes. The planning process was exhausting yet empowering. Because for the first time, I wasn’t just attending —I was helping to create it.
Learnings: Why Young People Should Attend Conferences Like This
Simply put, young people should be where decisions about their future are made. The EMSP Annual Conference is the one time each year when stakeholders, experts, and advocates come together to discuss advancements in MS research and the gaps that still need to be addressed. However, these conversations shouldn’t happen without the voices of those who will be most affected.
When young people take a seat at the table, they create an impact—not just for themselves, but for the next generation of MS patients. They learn that their voices matter, and they gain the confidence to use them. These encounters spark new ideas, foster inclusivity, and create intergenerational exchanges.
Regardless of how long you have been part of the MS Community, what unites us at the EMSP Annual Conference is our shared vision: a better future for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Fast forward to 2025: A full circle moment
Four years have passed, and I am stepping into conference seniority. I already know the names and faces of most people involved, so I have reached another level of my EMSP Annual Conference participation.
In 2025, we return stronger than ever, with a more comprehensive and forward-thinking programme. Together with MS Unie Roska, our focus expands beyond MS to include related disorders, exploring the critical theme: “Prevention in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: Uncovering Risk and Protective Factors.” Leading experts will dive into key discussions on aging with MS, managing co-morbidities, and fostering inclusive care models tailored to diverse patient needs.
But this conference isn’t just about knowledge-sharing—it’s about connection, community, and action. We’re crafting an interactive experience that highlights research gaps and prevention strategies, ensuring every voice is heard.
You’ll find me back in the spotlight at the “Just Do It! Fostering Community, Diversity, and Inclusion in Multiple Sclerosis” session alongside Dr. Andrea Stennet, where we’ll explore ways to make MS research more inclusive. You can also step into the storytelling booth with the YPN – Young People’s Network — a space where we bring to life the real stories of those living with MS. Stories just like mine and yours.
See you in Prague!
Learn more about the 2025 annual conference and it’s theme in our blogpost here. Register for your spot at the conference here.
