Am 23. April 2026 wurde Leuven in Belgien zum Treffpunkt…
DAY OF INSECTS 2026: From Crisis to Connection
On April 23, 2026, Leuven, Belgium, became a gathering place for everyone who wants to play an active role in shaping the future of biodiversity. At the Day of Insects 2026: From Crisis → to Connection, representatives from the scientific community, politics, business, and civil society came together to highlight one of the central issues of our time: the importance of insects for the survival of our planet.
Tina Teucher served as the host of this first international Day of Insects, guiding attendees through a day that educated, brought people together, and inspired action.
Crisis presents an opportunity for connection
The ecological crisis is clearly worsening: record-breaking temperatures, rapid biodiversity loss, and increasingly fragile ecosystems define the global landscape. Insects symbolize this trend—and, at the same time, the solution. Without them, humanity could survive for only a few months.
The Day of Insects 2026 addressed this very issue and invited people to rethink the relationship between humans and biodiversity: moving away from exploitation and distance, toward connection, responsibility, and cooperation.
An established platform is expanding internationally
Since 2017, Insect Day has been the leading insect-focused event in the German-speaking world and serves as a powerful advocate for insects. With its growing reach and renowned speakers such as Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen, Prof. Maja Göpel, and Prof. Josef Settele, the event has given insects a voice that is heard far and wide.
This voice is now being carried forward at the European level: In collaboration with the Leuven Nature and Biodiversity Council, the first international Day of Insects took place in Belgium in the spring of 2026.
The “Day of Insects” is deliberately conceived not only as a scientific conference but as an open platform for discussions on societal change. That is why, once again, guests and the audience explored together the question of how a new coexistence between humans and insects can be shaped.
Program and Space for Dialogue
The event featured a diverse program of keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking sessions. Highlights included:
- Prof. Dr. Dave Goulson – British biologist and world-leading expert on bumblebees and insect conservation
- Prof. Dr. Harald Welzer – German social psychologist and bestselling author, known for his work on sustainability, climate change, and social transformation
- Dr. Hilde Eggermont – Belgian biologist and director of the Flemish Institute for Nature and Forest Research
- Frank & Patrik Riklin – Swiss conceptual artists, known for their innovative and thought-provoking projects that connect art, society, and everyday life while questioning conventional notions of value and sustainability
- Prof. Dr. Mathis Wackernagel – Swiss sustainability researcher who developed the concept of the ecological footprint to measure human impact on the Earth
- Hans van Dyk – Belgian behavioral scientist
- Tine Hens – journalist, historian, and author
- Dr. Hans-Dietrich Reckhaus – multi-award-winning insecticide manufacturer
Wim Timmerman, Prof. Dr. Hans Van Dyck Sabine Van Huffel, Prof. Dr. Dave Goulson, Dr. Hans-Dietrich Reckhaus, Prof. Dr. Harald Welzer, Tina Teucher, Patrik Riklin, Dr. Mathis Wackernagel.
Numerous interactive workshops, interdisciplinary discussion forums, artistic performances, and presentations on business and social transformation rounded out the program for the Day of Insects.
Together with Dr. Hans-Dietrich Reckhaus and Wim Timmerman, Tina Teucher opened the Day of Insects in English and moderated key program highlights and panels.
Click here for the Programm Overview Day of Insects 2026 – From Crisis to Connection.
Looking Back: Day of Insects 2025
Rückblick: Tag der Insekten 2025 in Berlin
Tina Teucher hosts events focused on sustainability and sustainable business practices. As a sustainability expert, she brings nearly 18 years of experience in areas such as biodiversity, megatrends, and green innovations to her work. She advises companies and institutions on the key questions of change: How can organizations successfully transition to a sustainable model? At Insect Respect, for example, Tina Teucher helped launch Insect Day 2017.
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