Rare Women International Forum 2027

Open Call for Speakers

Thank you for your interest in becoming a speaker at the Rare Women International Forum 2027.

Rare Women is an international platform about women whose lives change after their child receives a rare diagnosis. It brings together personal stories, research and practical ideas that help women protect their health, remain part of work and society, and build a future for themselves and their families.

The Rare Women International Forum 2027 will take place on 21–22 May 2027 in Moscow, Russia.

The central idea
A woman can care for her child, remain herself and create a new future.

A rare diagnosis changes the life of the whole family. A woman may suddenly become the person who cares for her child day and night, coordinates doctors, searches for answers, completes documents and holds the family together. Much of this work remains unseen.

With the right support, she can protect her health, stay connected to work and society, rediscover her strengths and turn her experience into change.

The Forum follows this journey: from shock and survival to renewed strength, new possibilities and a better future for herself, her family and others.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome speakers whose personal experience, research, work or leadership can show what becomes possible when a woman receives the support she needs: she can care for her child, protect her health, remain part of work and society, and build a future for herself and her family.

  • Mothers and caregivers who have turned personal experience into leadership, new services, community work or changes that help other families.
  • Experts studying unpaid care, women’s work, family income and public support.
  • Specialists in women’s mental and emotional health, long-term stress, exhaustion and recovery.
  • People creating practical services that help families coordinate doctors, find information, take a break and receive support.
  • Employers and public leaders creating flexible work, return-to-work programmes and fair opportunities for women.
  • Foundations, community leaders and technology teams creating useful tools and support for families.
  • Researchers studying what happens when mothers are left without support and which solutions truly improve women’s and families’ lives.

What We Offer

  • Round-trip airfare from the speaker's city of residence to Moscow, coordinated individually and booked in agreement with each selected speaker.
  • Hotel accommodation for the duration of the Forum.
  • Visa support, where required.
  • Full access to the Forum programme, including keynote sessions, panel discussions and networking events.
  • Networking with international researchers, public leaders, healthcare and family-support experts, employers, foundations, caregiver organisations and people creating new support solutions.
  • Gala Dinner with speakers, partners and distinguished guests.
  • Curated cultural programme in Moscow.
  • Membership in the Rare Women international community, creating opportunities for future collaboration and long-term partnerships.

About the Forum

Discover the highlights, speakers and key outcomes of the Rare Women International Forum 2026.

→ Watch Forum Highlights

Important Dates

  • Forum: 21–22 May 2027 | Moscow, Russia
  • Application deadline: 20 December 2026
  • Notification of results: by 31 January 2027
Speaker Application
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

1. Contact Information

Enter your first and last name as they should appear in Forum materials.

Select your country of residence.

Enter your city of residence.

Enter your organisation. If you are independent, write "Independent".

Enter your current role or professional title.

Enter the email address where we can contact you about your application.

Re-enter your email address to avoid delivery errors.

Paste the full URL to your LinkedIn profile, if available.

Paste the full URL to your personal or organisational website, if available.

Upload your CV in PDF, DOC or DOCX format (max 10 MB).

2. About You

Include your current role, relevant experience, geographic context and your connection to the Forum focus. Please do not provide a full medical history. Maximum 200 words.

0 / 200 words

3. Proposed Contribution

Write a concise working title for your contribution. Maximum 20 words.

0 / 20 words

Describe the main idea of your talk, the experience or research behind it, the problem you want to address, the solution or example you will share, and what the audience will learn. Your proposal must focus on the woman: her unseen work, health, identity, work, family life or the support she needs — not mainly on diagnosis or treatment. Maximum 300 words.

0 / 300 words

Select up to three topics.

0 / 30 words

4. Why Does This Topic Matter?

Explain your personal or professional connection to the topic, the problem you have seen, what may happen if it is ignored, and why people in different countries should discuss it. Maximum 300 words.

0 / 300 words

5. Previous Speaking Experience (optional)

Briefly list relevant speaking experience and include links to conference presentations, TED/TEDx talks, interviews, podcasts, webinars or videos, if available. Maximum 200 words.

0 / 200 words

6. Recommend a Speaker (optional)

Enter the recommended speaker's full name.

Enter their organisation, if known.

Select their country.

Enter a valid professional email address, if known.

Explain why this person's knowledge or personal experience is important for the Forum. Maximum 150 words.

0 / 150 words

7. Additional Information

Tell us about any dietary, mobility, sensory, communication or other access requirements. Maximum 100 words.

0 / 100 words

8. Declaration

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.