Over four days in October, professionals from more than 100 countries — from academia, politics, civil society and frontline practice — discussed what is needed to better protect children and ensure their rights are upheld. The central message was clear: child protection is possible when we approach it together.
Claudia Arisi, International Policy and Advocacy Specialist at SOS Children’s Villages International, emphasized that violence against children can be prevented when families and communities receive the support they need. Presenting the organization’s first-ever Global Report on Children’s Care and Protection, she explained that whether children remain safely with their families is often a matter of political choice and resource allocation.
“Governments and social actors must direct more resources into strengthening families and communities through positive parenting support, accessible social protection and quality community-based services,” she noted, adding that unnecessary child–family separation occurs when systems fail to provide such support.
Violence prevention is possible in practice, as demonstrated by several programmes showcased at the Congress. One example was Parenting for Respectability, presented by colleagues from Makerere University and implemented in communities by SOS Children’s Villages Uganda together with national partners, as part of efforts to strengthen positive parenting and reduce violence within families.
One youth participant also shared powerful insights on preventing peer violence through the Applying Safe Behaviours project. Dana, a peer-trainer from Romania, described how young people around the world face everyday forms of violence — from bullying and exclusion to digital abuse — and stressed that they need safe spaces where they can speak openly and be heard. “Aggression of any kind is not normal and must not be tolerated. No one has the right to decide over another person’s body. Be a good listener,” she said.
Her call to “be a good listener” was echoed by Pierre Cazenave, Global Ombuds for SOS Children’s Villages International, who described how the organization’s Ombuds Approach — an independent, child-centred accountability mechanism — is transforming how children are heard and protected worldwide.
“The SOS Children’s Villages Ombuds Approach offers not a replacement for existing systems, but a complement that prioritizes children’s voices, respects their agency, and recognizes their capacity to contribute to their own protection,” said Cazenave. “Listening to children is not just morally right — it’s practically essential for effective child protection.”
Trust and collaboration strengthen protection systems
Representatives from the public sector, scientific community and civil society stressed that child protection systems can only be effective when these sectors work hand in hand.
“We share the same values and priorities,” said Pragathi Tummala, CEO of ISPCAN.
Together with Lanna Idriss of SOS Children’s Villages Worldwide, she highlighted the importance of connecting research, practice and policy. Their shared aim is to create spaces — such as the Rise of Policy Forum — where professionals can speak openly about challenges, successes and failures and learn from each other.
“Before we talk about acting together, we must also talk about mistakes,” said Lanna Idriss. “Because we learn far more from mistakes than from successes.”
She noted that progress in preventing sexual violence against children remains too slow, and digital risks are rising. For her, empowering children to protect themselves is a key objective.
Pragathi Tummala added that child protection is not a static condition but a continuous process. Societies, technologies and risks are constantly evolving — protection systems must do the same.
“There is no ‘we are done’,” she said. “We must keep learning, remain flexible, and truly listen to children.”
As one youth participant reflected: “Sometimes all it takes is to listen. If I tell an adult about violence and they don’t recognize it as violence, I feel unheard — and next time, I might not say anything at all.”
Children’s voices must shape the solutions
For participants like Lina Chamoun Bitar of SOS Children’s Villages Lebanon, the Congress reinforced that child protection is a global movement with shared goals and shared solutions.
“I realized that we are not isolated islands, but a large international movement,” she said. “Research from Edinburgh or Quebec has answered questions that we have in Lebanon.”
She stressed that child protection must be embedded into national systems as a fundamental right — not only as a reaction to crises. And she reminded everyone that children are not only “the future” but full rights-holders.
“Children know very well what is good for them,” said Lanna Idriss. “Our most important task is to listen to them and give them space.”
Lina Chamoun Bitar added: “I would say to all children: forgive us, the adults. And then: your voice matters. Raise it – together you are stronger. Do not remain silent when something harms you.”
The ISPCAN Congress showed the strength of the international community dedicated to ensuring every child grows up safe, heard and protected. It demonstrated that progress is possible when we collaborate, learn from each other and uphold children’s rights across borders.
As one participant from Australia put it: “We should not say children are our future – they live today. And they deserve protection, dignity and opportunities. Now.”