Shaping radiotherapy leadership for tomorrow, together
1-3 June 2025 I Copenhagen, Denmark
Interview with Vincenzo Valentini, co-chair of the Agora working group
Vincenzo Valentini, co-chair of the working group that is organising the Agora 2025 Future Leaders Retreat, shares his vision for this groundbreaking initiative. By focusing on leadership, mentorship, and collaboration, Agora empowers early-career professionals to shape the future of radiotherapy as they address global challenges such as equitable access to care and patient-centred innovation.
In this interview, Vincenzo outlines how Agora 2025 aims to prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate the evolving needs of patients and professionals, and hence to ensure a sustainable and impactful future for radiotherapy and ESTRO.
What is the intended impact of this initiative on early-stage professionals and the radiotherapy field?
The Agora 2025 initiative is intended to have a significant impact on both early-career professionals and the field of radiotherapy by being focused on leadership, innovation, and patient-centred care. For early-stage professionals, Agora represents a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills and to engage actively with the Society’s vision for the next decade. In addition to building professional networks with peers and mentors, participants will have access to a structured mentorship programme that is designed to ensure continuous training and support and hence to foster talent retention within the field.
The programme not only promotes a long-term vision of radiotherapy that integrates technological innovation and patient needs, but also encourages participants to contribute ideas and innovative solutions to address global challenges such as equitable access to care, sustainability, and the integration of radiotherapy into multidisciplinary cancer treatment. As it is focused on patient-centred care, Agora 2025 aligns with ESTRO’s strategic objectives and ensures that the voices of future leaders have a direct impact on the Society’s strategic discussions.
Through interactive workshops, collaborative discussions and role-playing activities, participants will reflect on future trends, strengthen their decision-making skills, and actively contribute to the building of a sustainable future for radiotherapy and ESTRO.
How does this Agora meeting aim to address the evolving needs of patients and professionals in the radiotherapy field?
Agora 2025 is designed to address the evolving needs of patients and professionals in the radiotherapy field by drawing the direct input of young professionals. The goal is to understand how they perceive the needs of patients and their profession so that they can identify priorities together to prepare them to face future challenges.
Through this process, we seek to co-create with them a tailored mentorship programme that is designed to support their development of the skills necessary to become key figures in their workplaces. The approach is not only to provide practical tools but also to build a shared vision that fosters sustainable, patient-centred progress for the entire radiotherapy field.
Moreover, the insights and contributions that emerge from this activity will influence ESTRO’s strategic vision, shaping its priorities and directions for the next ten years.
What are the "big challenges" you expect to address at Agora 2025?
We aim to address the “big challenges” that shape the future of radiotherapy, starting with a priority focus on listening directly to the participants. They will have the opportunity to select pre-defined topics—such as population ageing, shortages in the healthcare workforce, balancing purpose, values and ethics in healthcare, the evolving roles of healthcare professionals, the impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, and a deepened understanding of patients’ needs—or to propose new ones based on their experiences and perspectives.
The selected topics will be discussed with particular attention to the exploration of how leaders can contribute to the analysis of these issues to find solutions, with consideration of the context of ESTRO, the national level, and their own workplaces.
Vincenzo Valentini
Co-chair of the Agora 2025 working group
Head of Department of Oncology and Radiolology
Ospedale Isola Tiberina – Gemelli Isola
Rome, Italy
How to Apply
Note: Travel and accommodation costs for participants will be covered by ESTRO.