PACED Schools are more than just events—they provide space for innovative ideas and new partnerships, and they lay the foundation for future changes in palliative care.
We invite specialists eager to share experiences, learn from each other, and collaborate to improve palliative care in their countries. Submit your application and become part of a community of like-minded professionals!
We invite specialists eager to share experiences, learn from each other, and collaborate to improve palliative care in their countries. Submit your application and become part of a community of like-minded professionals!
What is PACED Communications School?
This School marks the third annual in-person PACED event. In 2026, the central theme will be communication: with patients, families, colleagues, communities, and the government.
The programme focuses on mastering core palliative care communication techniques, analysing complex cases requiring multidisciplinary teamwork, and exploring tools for effective dialogue with key stakeholders and state authorities. As a result, participants will leave with practical communication solutions ready for immediate use in their daily practice.
The Communications School is implemented in collaboration with the Palliative Care Association of Uzbekistan.
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Who Can Apply?
Palliative care specialists from any speciality in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and the Baltic states. You should register if you are actively developing and promoting palliative care in your region and wish to enhance your professional communication skills.
Bring your whole team! The participation of multidisciplinary colleagues from the same organisation or region enhances the overall learning impact. Invite your colleagues to apply and learn together.How to Apply?
Press the button 'Apply Now' to complete the online form. Please provide as much detail as possible on your palliative care work and the communication challenges you encounter.
Places are limited! Applications submitted before 31 July will receive priority review. For more information, see the Important Dates section.
Please ensure you have all necessary travel documents (a valid passport and, if required, a visa) before planning your trip to the School.
How Do We Select the Participants?The Programme Committee will select 60 participants. PACED will fully cover the following costs:- School participation;
- Hotel accommodation from 3 to 7 November 2026 (breakfast included);
- Catering (coffee breaks and lunches on the event days, 4–6 Nov, plus one group dinner).
The School's Programme Committee includes:- Yahyo ZiyaevOncologist, General Secretary of the Association of Oncologists of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the Board of the Palliative Care Association of Uzbekistan
- Kamilla TurakhodzhaevaOnco-psychologist, Republican Oncological Centre in Tashkent
- Gulnara KunirovaPresident of the Kazakhstan Palliative Care Association, Executive Director of the Public Foundation ‘Together Against Cancer’
- Maria PetrenkoPACED Programme Director
- Nicoleta MitreaSenior Lecturer in Nursing at the Transilvania University of Brașov
The Committee will review applications that meet the baseline criteria (working in palliative care, residing in PACED target countries, and being available to travel to Uzbekistan). Selection will be based on your motivation and experience. ProgrammeThe Communications School programme is still under development—follow the updates!
The School will cover a broad range of topics, such as:- Communication as a professional competency and its impact on the quality of palliative care.
- Cross-cultural and religious aspects in palliative care practice.
- Interdisciplinary teamwork: identifying and resolving breakdowns in peer-to-peer communication.
- Psychological resilience: managing personal emotions during professional communication.
- GR (Government Relations) communications: successful practices, challenges, and tools for engaging with state authorities.
- Integrating experience: building actionable plans and adapting the tools you have acquired to your local challenges.
- Complex communications: frameworks for managing difficult conversations with patients and their families.
You can expect a range of formats: lectures and discussions, workshops and masterclasses, site visits, and networking opportunities.
Sessions will be conducted in English and Russian. Simultaneous interpretation between these two languages will be available throughout the School.Among Our Experts- David PraillPalliative care pioneer in the UK, co-founder of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA), editor-in-chief of the ehospice portal, and PACED trustee
- Nicoleta MitreaSenior Lecturer in Nursing at the Transilvania University of Brașov
- Frank ElsnerProfessor, Specialist in Pain Medicine and Palliative Medicine, Department of Palliative Medicine, Aachen University Hospital, Germany
- Julia Cirule-GaluzaPaediatrician, rehabilitation specialist, head of the Paediatric Palliative Care Service in the Liepaja Regional Hospital
Important Dates7 July7 JulyApplications open31 July
23:59 (CET)31 July
23:59 (CET)First-round deadlinePriority review for applications submitted by this date13 August13 AugustAnnouncement of first-round results4 September
23:59 (CET)4 September
23:59 (CET)Final application deadline16 September16 SeptemberAnnouncement of second-round results30 September30 SeptemberRegistration of participantsDeadline for selected participants to submit passport details and upload their purchased travel tickets to Tashkent (if required)3 November3 NovemberArrival day4–6 November4–6 NovemberPACED Communications School7 November7 NovemberDeparture dayWhat will happen after my participation is approved?
The organisers will email you to ask you to complete a short form. You will need to provide your passport details (required for hotel bookings) and upload copies of your purchased travel tickets. Your tickets serve as our guarantee that your reserved place will be used. Don't forget to check your Spam folder!
If you are not entirely sure you will be able to travel, please refrain from registering so your colleagues have a better chance of attending.
If your application is approved but you later realise you cannot attend, please notify the organisers as early as possible by emailing info@paced.org.uk.The organisers will email you to ask you to complete a short form. You will need to provide your passport details (required for hotel bookings) and upload copies of your purchased travel tickets. Your tickets serve as our guarantee that your reserved place will be used. Don't forget to check your Spam folder!
If you are not entirely sure you will be able to travel, please refrain from registering so your colleagues have a better chance of attending.
If your application is approved but you later realise you cannot attend, please notify the organisers as early as possible by emailing info@paced.org.uk.What Past Participants of PACED Schools Say
For me, the Leadership School was both a revelation and a genuine achievement.Keep up the great work and continue to bring people into the scientific community. Create platforms to share experiences. Enjoy your well-deserved rest after this event, and keep your enthusiasm high!I insist on continuing! It was a real pleasure. Thank you!Events like these are a source of motivation, not just knowledge.I met so many new colleagues and feel inspired for years to come.A very well-organised school! It would be great to participate in a school like this more often. It would also be desirable to cover topics of neuropalliative care. Thank you! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)No. The School welcomes both established leaders and professionals who are just beginning their journey in palliative care. Your role matters less than your dedication to developing the field.Yes, alongside the selected participants, the School will host our international experts, partners, and PACED team members.Unfortunately, this is a closed event. Attendance is after selection only. However, if selected participants are unable to attend, you may still have a chance. If you missed the application deadline, you can express your interest by emailing info@paced.org.uk—we will consider your interest if places become available.Sessions will be delivered in either English or Russian, depending on the speaker's preference. You are welcome to use either language—full simultaneous interpretation will be provided throughout the event.Participants are responsible for their own travel (flight or train tickets, taxis), any meals outside the official lunches, coffee breaks, and the group dinner, and any other personal expenses.Uzbekistan offers visa-free entry to citizens of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and the European Union. However, we strongly recommend double-checking your specific entry requirements with your local consulate or online beforehand.Complete the online form linked on this page. Please describe your experience in palliative care as thoroughly as possible.We primarily consider your current involvement in palliative care, your potential for professional growth, and your capacity to apply newly acquired skills within your home organisation or in your region.Yes, applications remain open until 4 September. However, entries submitted by 31 July will receive priority during the review process.First-round applicants will be notified by email by 13 August, with results posted on social media shortly after. All remaining applicants will receive an acceptance or regret letter by 16 September. Please ensure you provide a valid email address and check your spam folder during these periods!You will need to purchase your tickets to Tashkent (if required) and complete the passport form for your hotel booking (the link will be in your confirmation email). You must upload a photo or screenshot of your tickets by 30 September!No, you do not need to provide travel tickets in this case. Simply enter ‘Tashkent, Uzbekistan’ as your city of residence and tick the box labelled ‘I do not require hotel accommodation.’Yes, that is possible. Simply choose ‘I do not need hotel accommodation’ on the form if you plan to pay for your own accommodation. Your application will be reviewed on the same basis as all others.Please notify us at info@paced.org.uk as soon as possible so we can reassign your place to another professional. The later you inform us, the more likely it is that your place will remain vacant and another colleague will miss the opportunity to participate. We strongly advise you to carefully consider your decision before applying.Participation and accommodation are available only to selected participants. Accompanying persons may travel with you, but they will not attend meals or sessions and must cover all their expenses independently.Yes, all participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completing the School. However, please note that this certificate is not an official educational qualification.