World IBD Day Campaign 2025:
IBD Has No Borders:
Breaking Taboos, Talking About It
As part of our global World IBD Day 2025 campaign, IFCCA hosted an International Roundtable on 31 May in Brussels, bringing together patient leaders, healthcare professionals, and advocates from around the world to share perspectives, challenge stigma, and foster international collaboration in IBD care.
📄 You can download the full agenda here
Isabella Haaf, World IBD Day Coordinator and IFCCA Head of Communication, introduced this year’s theme, “IBD Has No Borders: Breaking Taboos, Talking About It.” She underlined the need to confront stigma, explained the roundtable’s aim to spark open dialogue, and stressed the importance of building a stronger, more connected global IBD community.
Read her presentation here.
The event featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Claudio Fiocchi, titled “IBD – Before and After”, reflecting on decades of progress in IBD understanding and care.
Read his presentation here.
We honoured the voices that shaped our movement through Stories of Impact, where founding members shared their journeys and the evolution of patient advocacy.
DII Brasil – 10 Years: A story written by patients. Driven by passion.
Thiago Del Grande, Vice-President
Read his presentation hereWorld IBD Day Belgium – National Campaign “Poo Poetry Slam”
Kathleen Van Swalm
Read her presentation here
A powerful panel discussion, Overcoming Taboos, Strengthening Alliances, was moderated by Ciara Drohan and brought together diverse international voices:
Catherine Soto, Associate Vice President, Patient Education & Support, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (USA). Read her presentation here.
Verenna Melo, ABCD (Brazil). Read her presentation here.
Leanne Raven, CEO, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia. Read her presentation here.
Together, they explored the cultural and structural barriers that prevent open conversations around IBD and highlighted the need for stronger global alliances to create a more inclusive, stigma-free world for people living with IBD.
For more information please write to: bella.haaf@efcca.org