Investing in Children: In Search for Innovative Solutions to Improve Children’s Well-Being

CONFERENCE: The third edition of the “Neglected Childhood” conference series, organized by The Department of Applied Sociology and Social Work of University of Lodz in cooperation with European Anti-Poverty Network Poland.

Children and youth are most severely affected by negative consequences of current economic crisis. They are still at greater risk of poverty and social exclusion than adults, and even in the most advanced countries some of them experience extreme poverty and severe material deprivation. Attempts to improve the well-being of children are not as effective as we would like them to be, whereas theoretical concepts and study results quickly become out-of-date due to dynamically changing social reality.

Therefore, continuous research and attempts to create and implement new, innovative solutions based on the principle of investing in children are essential and beneficial for children and societies.

The purpose of this conference is to encourage a debate on theoretical approaches and research results, policy measures and methods of professional work with children and youth in the following areas:
1. equal opportunities and children's access to adequate resources,
2. access to quality services for children,
3. participation of children
4. physical and emotional security of children in societies of multiple risks,
5. mainstreaming children's policies and rights.

The conference offers opportunity to create international and interdisciplinary platform for exchange of knowledge and experiences for researchers (working in the field of sociology, economy, psychology, pedagogy, social work, social policy, medicine, law), policy makers, representatives of NGOs and practitioners from Eastern, Central and Western Europe.

Deadline for abstracts is April 30th, 2014.

Visit the University of Lodz for more details