Hybrid conference Inclusive Society from a Child’s Perspective

The Nordic- Baltic conference “Inclusive Society from a child’s perspective’’ will take place on 17-18 November 2021 in Vilnius Townhall and online. This hybrid conference aims at sharing knowledge and good practices on strengthening children’s wellbeing from a child rights perspective, with focus on integrated child protection and welfare services, especially to the most vulnerable children. With good examples from practitioners, presentations of researchers from the Nordic-Baltic region, discussions on child friendly governance and the voices of children and youth themselves, the conference will present different ways towards an inclusive society from a child rights perspective.

Themes covered in the program will range from the consequences on Covid-19 on children’s rights to successful and effective intersectoral cooperation models in prevention and intervention.

There is a big interest how the outcomes/goals regarding policies for children and families are formulated, data collected, analysed and monitored.

During the conference participants will be given an opportunity to meet and network with experts and practitioners of the Baltic and Nordic countries, representatives from civic society organisations as well as youth representatives.

The opening address will be made by Ms. Paula Lehtomäki, General Secretary of the Nordic Council of Ministers. A welcome speech will be made by the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.

We look forward to the participation of representatives of governmental agencies and services, local governments, civil society experts, practitioners and young adults from the youth movement, as well as children giving their perspectives.

The registration form will be available soon.

Tentative agenda:

Day 1:

12:00 – 12:30 Registration / Covid-19 pass

12:30 – 12:45 Opening of the Conference by the host Andželika Rusteikienė, Head of Junior Achievement Lithuania and the co-host Mantas Vicis

12:45 – 13:00 Welcoming remarks

• Paula Lehtomäki, Secretary General, Nordic Council of Ministers
• Ingrida Šimonytė, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania

Youth panel discussion

13:00 – 13:45 Our minds, our futures

13:45 – 14:00 Energizer

Keynote presentation

14:00 – 14:20 EARLY CHILDHOOD/THE FOUNDATION FOR A WHOLE LIFE: THE FIRST 1000 DAYS OF LIFE

Keynote speaker:

Sigrún Daníelsdóttir, M.Sc, Cand. Psych, psychologist and project manager for mental health promotion at the Directorate of Health in Iceland, author of the report THE FIRST 1000 DAYS OF A CHILD IN THE NORDIC COUNTRIES: SOLUTIONS/GOOD PRACTICES

14:30 – 15:00 Coffee break

15:00 – 16:15 Parallel Sessions

Parallel session 1a: Empowering children in vulnerable situations

Support and empowerment of children and young people in alternative care. The panel will discuss topics, such as the role of civil society organizations, the collaboration between civil society and social services, and examples of effective solutions, and how children and young people are enabled to voice their views.

Moderator: Tove Kjellander

Panelists:

• Knas Hemma, Sweden TBC
• Save the Children Finland TBC
• Latvian Child Welfare Network TBC
• 0-24 Project, Norwegian project manager TBC

Parallel session 1b: Child-friendly governance

Development of child-friendly policies, building child-friendly communities, examples of effective intersectoral cooperation models in prevention and intervention in municipalities. The speakers will share best practices of multi-governance, data collection, monitoring the quality of services in municipalities, and support to municipalities to ensure quality services to children and families.

Moderator: Shanti Ingeström, UNICEF Sweden or Edita Žiobienė, Lithuanian Ombudsman for Children’s Rights (TBC)

Panelists:

• Hjördis Thordardottir, Icelandic Ministry of Social Affairs and Children
• Hanna Vseviov, Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, Department of Children and Families, Head of Department
• National Board of Social Services in Denmark TBC

Day 2:

9:00 – 9:15 Welcome back speech by the host Andželika Rusteikienė, Head of Junior Achievement Lithuania

Keynote presentation and panel discussion

09:15 – 10:15 Impacts of Covid-19 on Child Rights

Keynote presentation by Dr. Martin Willi Weber, Program Manager, Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, WHO Regional Office for Europe

Moderator: Tove Kjellander

Panelists:

• Dr. Martin Willi Weber, Program Manager, Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, WHO Regional Office for Europe
• Norwegian Ombudsperson for Child Rights (TBC),
• Danish youth representative of technical advisory board (TBC),
• Gustė Malinauskaitė, representative of Children’s Council, Lithuania

10:15 – 10:45 Coffee break

10:45 – 11:45 Parallel Sessions

Parallel Session 2a: “SEE, LISTEN AND ENCOURAGE/INCLUDE”. PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Participation of young people with disabilities. Youth advocacy, participation in decision making, also the key stakeholders that play an important role in ensuring that participation is accessible to children and young people with disabilities. The panelists will discuss how young people with disabilities can be supported and empowered.

Moderator: HERO TALENTS, Department of Disabilities (TBC)

Panelists:

• Jaana Tiiri, Chairperson of Youth Workgroup at The Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities
• Ingvild Østli, Norwegian association of organizations of youth with disabilities (TBC)
• Merethe Løberg, Nordic Welfare Centre in Stockholm
• Ulrika Askengren, Parasport, Swedish organization (TBC)

Parallel Session 2b: CHILD RIGHTS OF MIGRANT CHILDREN

Inclusion of parents and children with a refugee and immigrant background in the societies, with the focus on the importance of organizing early education for children, also non-formal cultural education. Some good examples of integrated services will be presented.

Moderator: Aušra Raulušonytė, Artscape

Panelists:

• Mia Stavling, Deputy Head of Unit, Open pre-schools, Enskede-Årsta-Vantör district, Stockholm
• Adeel Naseem, representative of Baba – Fonden for Socialt Ansvar
• EKF, Unaccompanied minors,Swedish organisation (TBC)

11:45 – 12:00 Coffee break

12:00 – 13:00 Mayors panel with children´s hackathon winners: BUILDING CHILD-RESPONSIVE COMMUNITIES – VISION

What Mayors can do to make their cities and communities more inclusive for children and young people

Moderator: Diana Huynh, Nordregio

Speakers:

• Mindaugas Sinkevičius, President of Lithuanian Association of Municipalities
• Norwegian mayor (TBC),
• Finnish mayor from Child-Friendly cities network (TBC),
• Estonian mayor (TBC),
• Children’s hackathon winners and participants (TBC)

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

We look forward to welcoming you in Vilnius on 17-18 November 2021!