International Conference | 5–6 October 2026 | Athens, Greece
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The Connect to Protect – Children & Youth at Risk Conference is an international forum dedicated to strengthening child protection and improving outcomes for vulnerable children, adolescents, and young people. Organised by IASIS NGO, the conference brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and organisations working across sectors to address the most pressing challenges affecting children and youth today.
The event focuses on advancing academic dialogue, evidence-based practice, and prevention-oriented policies that respond to the evolving risks faced by children worldwide.
Why This Conference Matters
Children and young people are increasingly exposed to complex and interconnected risks, including violence, neglect, exploitation, mental health challenges, social exclusion, displacement, and digital harm.
At the same time, child protection systems across Europe and beyond face growing demands and significant gaps between policy frameworks and frontline implementation.
Connect to Protect responds to this need by creating a space for shared knowledge, interdisciplinary exchange, and coordinated action.
Conference Approach
The conference promotes a rights-based and trauma-informed perspective, recognising children and young people as active rights holders whose voices and experiences are essential in shaping effective safeguarding systems.
It highlights the importance of prevention, early intervention, community resilience, and multi-agency collaboration across social welfare, education, healthcare, justice systems, and civil society.
Key Thematic Areas
The programme explores a wide range of contemporary child protection topics, including:
- Child protection systems and children’s rights
- Youth delinquency, violence prevention, and safeguarding practices
- Child and adolescent mental health and trauma-informed care
- Family, community, and institutional support systems
- Digital safety, online exploitation, and emerging technological risks
- Child protection in migration and humanitarian contexts
- Inclusive approaches for children with disabilities and children in alternative care
- Community-based prevention and cross-sector collaboration
International Participation
The conference will include participation from leading academic institutions and international bodies, including representatives of:
- UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC)
- GREVIO (Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence)
Confirmed universities and networks include:
- University of California, Berkeley
- Yale University
- Harvard University
- University of Huddersfield
- Aston University
- Panteion University
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict
Participants will join from a wide range of countries across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Who Should Attend
The conference is designed for:
- Researchers and academics
- Psychologists, social workers, educators, and healthcare professionals
- Child safeguarding and youth support practitioners
- Policymakers and public authorities
- NGOs and international organisations
- Students and early career professionals
About IASIS NGO
IASIS is a Greek non-profit organisation dedicated to mental health, social inclusion, and child protection through evidence-based services, community interventions, research, and policy engagement.
As host of the conference, IASIS aims to strengthen international collaboration and promote coordinated, child-centred protection systems.
More information: www.iasismed.eu