Next Edition: (COMING SOON) 2026 • Santiago de Compostela

THE EVENT

It’s much more than a conference.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 Sarria Portomarín Palas de Rei Melide Arzúa Pedrouzo Lavacolla Santiago de Compostela DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 Sarria Portomarín Palas de Rei Melide Arzúa Pedrouzo Lavacolla Santiago de Compostela

Walking the Talk for Dementia (WTD) is an immersive, week-long event that brings together people living with dementia, care partners, researchers, clinicians, artists, policy leaders, innovators, and advocates from around the world.

Over four days, we walk side by side for 40 kilometers along one of history's most iconic pilgrimages - the Spanish Camino de Santiago. Along the way, we share stories and knowledge, expand personal and professional perspectives across disciplines and cultures, and collectively challenge the stigma surrounding dementia through lived experience, connection, and purpose.

Then, it's time to come together for another two days for the WTD Symposium: An invitation to reflect, connect, share resources, and turn momentum into action through meaningful collaborations.

BUT WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE…

  • A community built across diversity
  • A conference where lived experience and professional expertise are equally valued and respected
  • A physical, social and emotional challenge
  • A place to experience Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in action
  • An experiential space for deep listening
  • An opportunity to embrace vulnerability and humility

…AND WHAT WE ARE NOT

  • A traditional conference
  • A fundraising walk
  • A wellness retreat
  • A place for egos, titles, or quick answers

OUR GOALS

To broaden perspectives and understanding of dementia

To build an informed and educated global community

To foster co-creation

To enable meaningful cross-sector and cross-cultural collaboration

WHO'S THIS FOR?

Walking the Dementia
Walking the Dementia Community

If you're someone who believes real change comes not only from the right answers, but from better questions, you're in the right place.

WTD is for people who care for, research, study, work with, create art about, or live with dementia, and who are willing to question how things could be different.

You might be:

  • A person living with dementia
  • A current or former care partner, care provider, or family member
  • A researcher, clinician, policy influencer, or service designer
  • An artist, communicator, innovator, or entrepreneur
  • A student, trainee, or faculty with any level of experience
  • A representative from a patient organization, charity, company, or institution working in the dementia field

VOICES FROM THE JOURNEY

João Barbosa
João Barbosa Photographer
Max Schulte
Max Schulte Videographer

Walking the Talk for Dementia 2024 Santiago de Compostela

Walking the Talk for Dementia 2025 Santiago de Compostela


2023

2024

35 photos

116 photos

2025

156 photos

STAY IN TOUCH WITH US

If you’d like to learn more about upcoming WTD events, future editions, or opportunities to engage with our community, we’d love to hear from you.