The ICMM Center of Reference for Education on IHL and Ethics in cooperation with the Medical Services Directorate of the Swiss Armed Forces convene their joint
15th Workshop on Military Medical Ethics
18-20 June 2026 | Hybrid Workshop
Hotel du Léman, Jongny (Switzerland)
Military Medical Ethics and Mental Health —
from Cognitive Warfare to Moral Injury
Topic and Call for Papers
The 2026 workshop will explore ethical aspects of cognitive and psychological dimensions in contemporary military operations. Our focus will be on the intersection between military medical ethics and mental health in the context of modern conflict.
The workshop will examine how evolving doctrines such as information and cognitive warfare may reshape the moral landscape of military medicine and the role of healthcare personnel in the military. Presentations could analyse case studies of dual loyalty conflicts and the ethical challenges faced by medical personnel operating within command structures or under intelligence influence. Further topics could include the shifting boundaries between treatment, medical enhancement, psychological operations, misinformation in armed conflicts, and the ethical limits of medical involvement in shaping soldiers' cognition and resilience. We also hope to extend the discussion to the implications of emerging technologies, such as cognitive tools and behavioural data analytics, on autonomy, consent, mental integrity and eventually moral injury in military contexts. By integrating insights from bioethics, psychiatry and military law, the workshop aspires to offer a critical understanding of how cognitive warfare represents not only operational concerns, but also ethical and human challenges.
The workshop intends to identify principles for safeguarding mental health, professional integrity, and humanitarian standards in environments where ethical norms are increasingly tested by strategic imperatives and technological innovation.
We equally encourage field reports (e.g., case studies, experience briefings, policy analyses) as well as philosophical papers and legal background analyses. In line with the tradition of the workshop series, we invite presentations that take the perspectives of both military and humanitarian health care providers.
Instructions for Submissions
To submit a proposal, please prepare
- an abstract of your presentation (max 300 words)
- a short biography/ CV (max 150 words)
and hand it in it via the online submission form on https://melac.ch/apply/cfp-2026
→ Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2026
→ We will notify all applicants by February 16, 2026 whether their proposals have been selected. For all selected speakers, we cover conference fee, hotel, and travel expenses (economy class).
For any questions please contact Maj Ismail Ülgür, MD, DMD via email
Accreditation
|
For the MME workshop 2026 we shall see accreditation by the Swiss Institute for Postgraduate and Further Education in Medicine. |
 |
Participation & registration
Please be aware that places at the workshop are limited as we want to keep the format of the workshop as close as possible to the previous years, which includes time and opportunity for discussions. These are only possible in a smaller group and we can therefore not accomodate more than 50/60 people in total (including the speakers and faculty members). Participants will be selected with the aim of putting together a well-balanced group of speakers and participants to allow for productive discussions.
Participation is possible on-site in Jongny (~ 30 persons in total) and online via zoom videoconference.
- Registration form: will open in late 2025/ early 2026
- Deadline for onsite participation: 15 April 2026 (first come first served)
- Deadline for for online participation: 1 June 2026
- For questions regarding the registration please contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Workshop fee
Workshop Fee for on-site participants: 860 CHF (to be paid directly to the hotel)
Includes the following:
- Participation at all workshop sessions
- 3 Hotel nights (single room) and all meals during the workshop
- Icebreaker on June 17th, and Host nation dinner on June 19, 2026
- Transport to and from/to Geneva airport (GVA). No shuttle provided from/to Zurich airport (ZRH)!
- Pickup at train station Vevey equally possible.
Deadline for applications (onsite participation): 17.05.2026 (first come first served).
Application for the online participation via zoom
Workshop Fee for online participants: free of charge, short motivation letter required. Participants will be admitted based on:
- The motivation and previous knowledge/ expertise/ experience of applicants
- The function and institutional role of applicants
Deadline for applications (online participation): 1 June 2026
Online workshop – Technical information
- The workshop will be held via videoconferencing software.
- Participants are responsible that the internet connection and technical requirements are met.
- The number of participants will be restricted as we want to encourage a similar engagement with the audience.
Workshop venue
The workshop will take place at the Hotel Léman in Jongny s/ Vevey at the shores of Lake Geneva. It offers both conference rooms with views over Lake Geneva as well as accommodation for all participants.
Workshop organisation
Scientific Coordination
- ICMM Center of Reference for Education on IHL and Ethics
Col David Winkler, MD, PhD -This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Center of Competence for Military and Disaster Medicine
https://www.mkm-mmc-ch
Maj Ismail Ülgür, MD, DMD -This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Organisation & Logistics
- Swiss Armed Forces, Medical Services Directorate
Pauline Dénervaud -This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.