May 6 - May 8
COMMUNITIES LEADING SUSTAINABLE CHANGE
The 2026 Planet Youth Conference will bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and community leaders from around the world to explore how communities can lead sustainable prevention efforts using the Icelandic Prevention Model. The conference will take place in Reykjavík, Iceland, and will highlight evidence-based, community-driven approaches to prevention and youth well-being.
Date and time
- May 6–8, 2026
- Programme begins daily at 9:00 AM and concludes around 4:00 PM
- Registration opens on May 6 at 7:30 AM
- On May 8, lectures conclude at 12:00 PM, followed by lunch
- Study visits: May 8, 1:00–4:00 PM
Place
Hotel Reykjavík Grand,
Reykjavík, Iceland
Registration link
- For group registrations (five or more participants), please contact:
conference@planetyouth.org - Existing Planet Youth partners may request a reduced partner rate.
Background
The Planet Youth Conference is an annual international gathering focused on prevention, youth well-being, and community resilience. Grounded in the Icelandic Prevention Model, the conference emphasizes long-term, data-driven, and collaborative approaches to preventing substance use and promoting healthy environments for young people.
The 2026 edition will focus on how communities worldwide are adapting the Planet Youth approach to their local contexts and achieving sustainable change through shared responsibility and cross-sector collaboration.
Conference Programme at a Glance
- Day 1 – Building the Framework
An introduction to the underlying principles of the Icelandic Prevention Model and the structure and processes of the Planet Youth Guidance Program that support effective prevention work. - Day 2 – Communities Leading Change
Speakers from around the world will share experiences of adapting the Planet Youth approach to local realities and creating lasting, sustainable change through community leadership and collaboration. - Day 3 – The Icelandic Experience
Insights into how the Prevention Model is implemented in Iceland, delivered by local NGOs, municipalities, youth workers, and practitioners, followed by optional study visits. - Study Visits – On the final conference day, participants may join a three-hour study visit to municipalities around Reykjavík to see the Icelandic Prevention Model in practice.
- Seats are limited and early booking is recommended.
Speakers
- Professor Ilona Kickbusch – DTH-Lab Director, Founder and Chair of the Global Health Centre
- Dr. Olubusayo Akinola – Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention, African Union Commission
- Dr. Ingibjörg Eva Þórisdóttir – CAAO (Chief Analytics and Advisory Officer) at Planet Youth
- Margrét Lilja Guðmundsdóttir – CKO (Chief Knowledge Officer) at Planet Youth
- Jón Sigfússon – Chairman of Planet Youth
- Dr. Páll Ríkharðsson – CEO of Planet Youth
- Dr. Harvey Milkman – Senior Policy Advisor for Planet Youth
- Trevor Denhartogh – Executive Director, Undercurrent Youth Society
- Dagur B. Eggertsson – Member of Parliament (Iceland)
- Matej Košir – Director, Institute for Research and Development »Utrip« (UTRIP); Chair, Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC)
- Simona Bieliūnė – Deputy Mayor of Vilnius, Doctor of Educational Sciences
- Danica Love Brown, PhD, MSW – KAI’s vice president for behavioral health transformation
- Oriol Esculies – International commissioner, Association Proyecto Hombre, Spain
- Angélica María Claro Gálvez – Advocacy Manager at Movendi International
- Morgan Moore – Planet Youth National Delivery Manager (Scotland)
- Amanda Karima Ólafsdóttir – Head of Office Division, Education Department at the municipality of Kópavogur
- Jakob Sindri Þórsson – Digital Development Manager at the municipality of Kópavogur
Moderator
Kristina Sperkova, Movendi International
Fees and what’s included
- Conference fee: 960 EUR per person
- Study visit: 250 EUR per person
Audience
Community leaders, policymakers, prevention practitioners, researchers, educators, civil society organisations, and partners working on youth well-being and prevention.