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On friday 22nd of May 2026 the Zero Separation Tour lands in the enchanting premises of the ancient university hall of Leuven (Belgium), next to the iconic townhall.
Featuring an international program developed in collaboration with KULeuven and UC Louvain with some of the worlds' major specialists in Breastmilk feeding, Donormilk, Microbiome, NEC... in the light of Zero Separation.
Organising Committee
Honorary Presidents & Chairs
Mrs. Silke Mader President GFCNI
Dr. Nils Bergman
Scientific Committee
Dr. An Eerdekens UZ Leuven Gasthuisberg
Pr. Dr. Olivier Danhaive UC Louvain Cliniques St. Luc
Director Organisation
Michel Collart Noah's Ark Belgium
2026 Zero Separation Tour Partners
2026 Zero Separation Tour is endorsed by:
Speakers
We are honoured to announce the participation of some of the worlds' greatest specialists.
Program
8.30 Welcome coffee
9.30 Dr. Nils Bergman
Breastfeeding as a cornerstone for Nurture Science.
10.00 Dr. Elien Rouw
Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Newborn & the Mother.
10.35 Dr. Noelia Ureta
The impact of the women’s diet on the composition of their milk.
11.10 Coffeebreak
11.40 Prof. Dr. Roy Philips
Human milk and role of bioactivity in every drop for preterm infants: lessons from an Irish experience.
12.15 Dr. An Eerdekens
The importance of donor human milk and donor human milk banks in Belgium.
12.50 Sandwichlunch
14.00 Prof. Dr. Josef Neu Role of the Microbiome in Preterm Infant Nutrition.
14.30 Prof. Dr. Isabelle De Plaen
Impaired microvascular development and necrotizing enterocolitis.
15.00 Prof. Dr. Gianluca Terrin
Human Milk and NEC: unbreakable bond.
15.30 Prof. Dr. Olivier Danhaive
Ultrasonography for the diagnosis and staging of NEC
16.00 Coffeebreak
16.20 Roundtable questiontime "NEC & Microbiome"
16.40 Prof. Dr. Nigel Rollins
Practical & Cultural Challenges and Hurdles to Breastfeeding
and providing Mothermilk
17.10 Fr. Silke Mader
Crucial central role of the parents/mother.
Practical Information
Accomodation
The Zero Separation Tour Partner Hotel offers special rates to our registrants.
Click on the logo and use the promo code when booking:
Martin's Klooster Hotel :
Code ZERO220526
Other accomodations are available behind the link Visit Leuven.
Transport & Parking
The ancient university halls are in the heart of Leuven. Streets mostly are pedestrian only. Please follow instructions below to reach the congres venue.
By train and shuttle (recommended):
At Leuven train station regular shuttle busses will bring you to the entrance of the University halls from 8.00 till 9.30 and back after the congres.
Follow the signs at the central bus station nxt to the train station.
By car: When entering Leuven follow "Ladeuze" carpark. This paying parking is only 10 minutes walk from the university halls. Follow the signage.
Tourist Information
Leuven is a one of the ancient university towns in the world. The Universitatis Lovaniensis celebrated its' 600th anniversary in 2025.
Leuven has 106000 inhabitants but adding up the 65000 students it is dedicated to the latter onses who make it a vibrant city in historic ancient walls.
You can visit the historic buildings and more with a guided tour or on your own.
Follow the link "Leuven".
