Organisers and Partners

IFOTES and LESZ welcome 


IFOTES President Sonja Karrer and LESZ President Erika Dudás welcome the TES volunteers and healthcare professionals and invite you to attend the congress.

IFOTES

Invitation

During the last IFOTES congress in 2023 we talked about hope and changes, and I’m looking back at many great and inspiring moments. 
Well, we have to keep going with hope… We are still living in a difficult and challenging time. Nevertheless – we are organizing the next IFOTES congress. 
I’m looking forward to the congress in 2026 with the main topic of “The Human Touch”. Especially in these times the human touch is more important than ever. Artificial Intelligence can help us with many things, but it can never replace the human and personal presence which our volunteers are offering. 
So let us enjoy the Hungarian hospitality and the Power of Presence at the next IFOTES congress in 2026. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in Budapest!

LESZ

Welcome

Dear Volunteers, 
it is with great joy and heartfelt greeting that we welcome you to Budapest for the next IFOTES Congress in 2026. 
For the first time, our beautiful city hosts this inspiring event, and we are honored to share it with you. Budapest, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, stands ready to embrace you. Here, amidst the Danube and stunning architecture, may you find connection, renewal and growth. 
Volunteers of the Hungarian TES are enthusiastically preparing all over the Carpathian Basin to make your days in Hungary a pleasant and positive experience both professionally and personally. We wish you successful collaborations, professional contacts and unforgettable experiences. 
See you in summer 2026 - we look forward to seeing you all! On behalf of the Hungarian volunteers.

Organisers

IFOTES will hold its 23rd international congress in Budapest, in continuity with its previous congresses on emotional health.The 2026 congress is being organized for the first time in cooperation with the Hungarian member helpline LESZ.

Leading organisations

Technical support

Steering committee 

Sonja Karrer

IFOTES President

Chair of the committee (CH)

Diana Rucli

IFOTES Director

Congress coordinator (IT)

Eva Brandisz

LESZ Manager of International Relations

IFOTES vice-president (HU)

Reka Szente

LESZ member

Project manager on site (HU)

Scientific committee

Barbara Jenko

IFOTES International Committee member

Manager TS Klagenfurt am Wörthersee (AT)

Bettina Schwab

IFOTES International Committee member

Manager TS Berlin (DE)

Melinda Medgyaszai

LESZ member

Doctor and psycotherapist (HU)

Mit Van Paesschen

IFOTES International Committee member

Manager Flemish Brabant and Brussels Tele-Onthaal (BE)

Yaël Liebkind

IFOTES International Committee member

Director La Main Tendue Geneva (CH)