In celebration of World Children’s Day, we are excited to host the Child Rights Symposium 2, themed "Vuna: Invest in Children." This year, our focus is on leveraging data-driven insights to drive policy changes and enhance child protection.
Key Objectives
Showcase Research
Present data-driven research on child rights that can influence policy.
Facilitate Dialogue
Create a platform for institutions to share knowledge and ideas.
Gain Expert Insights
Learn from national and international experts.
Ensure Child Participation
Highlight the voices and experiences of children.
Special Feature: We are thrilled to offer an exclusive preview of the "Growing Up in Maldives" initiative—a groundbreaking longitudinal study set to explore the experiences and development of children in the Maldives. This segment will provide an early insight into how this research aims to shape the future of child rights and development.
Theme: "Vuna - Invest in Children"
The Dhivehi word "Vuna" signifies money or property invested in financial or business activities with the aim of making a profit. This concept extends beyond financial investment, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to social and communal investments that secure the rights and well-being of children.
Investing in children is not just about allocating resources; it’s about ensuring that the rights of children—affirmed by the Constitution of the Maldives and international conventions—are actively upheld. To achieve this, we must focus on comprehensive and sustained investments in every aspect of a child's life, from justice and mental health to education and protection. Through this symposium, we aim to explore and advocate for the investments necessary to guarantee a brighter, more secure future for all children in the Maldives.
Thematic Segments
The symposium is divided into three thematic segments, each addressing critical areas of child rights. These segments will feature in-depth discussions, expert presentations, and collaborative dialogues aimed at generating actionable insights and policy recommendations.
Theme 1: Safeguarding Children within the Juvenile Justice System
Safeguarding Children within the Juvenile Justice System
This segment focuses on understanding and addressing the challenges faced by children within the juvenile justice system. It aims to identify the factors that increase the vulnerability of children to be at-risk and propose solutions to safeguard children from juvenile crime and ensure their rights are protected.
Session 1: Factors that increase the vulnerability of children to be at-risk
Key Areas of Focus
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- Impact of poverty and socio-economic status
- Influence of family dynamics
- The role of education and school environment
- Community and social environmental factors contributing to child vulnerability
- Health and mental well-being as determinants
- Cultural and societal influences
- Effects of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- The role of substance abuse
- Importance of protective factors
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Session 2: Prevention and Responses to Juvenile Crime
Key Areas of Focus:
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- Strengthen protective factors within the community
- Early intervention programs for at-risk children
- Restorative justice approaches in the juvenile justice system
- Role of family and community support in the prevention
- Rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders
- Recidivism
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Theme 2: Efforts Towards Ensuring a Bully-free Environment
Efforts Towards Ensuring a Bully-free Environment
Bullying remains a pervasive issue affecting children worldwide. This segment will delve into strategies and interventions to combat bullying, promote safe environments, and support victims.
Key Areas of Focus:
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- Types of bullying
- The effects of cyber-bullying
- Understanding the root causes of bullying.
- Strengthening anti-bullying programs and policies in schools for a safer learning environment.
- Strengthening support systems and providing resources to empower children affected by bullying.
- Engaging parents, teachers, and communities in anti-bullying efforts.
- Promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.
Theme 3: Children and Mental Health
Children and Mental Health
This segment will address the critical issue of children’s mental health, exploring ways to improve support systems, reduce stigma, and make mental health services more accessible and effective for children, especially those under state care.
Key Areas of Focus:
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- Prevalence of mental health issues among children mental health support in the community
- Mental health support in schools
- Stigma reduction and awareness
- Decentralization of mental health services
Investing in workforce - Accessibility of services to children under state-care
- Cost-effective and sustainable interventions
- Trauma-informed interventions
- Over-diagnosis of children
- Implications of self-diagnosis
- Developing cost-effective and sustainable mental health interventions.
- Implementing trauma-informed care and interventions
Why This Symposium Matters
The Child Rights Symposium 2 is more than just a conference—it’s a platform for action. By addressing these crucial themes, we aim to drive significant policy changes and improve the lives of children across the Maldives. Your participation will contribute to a collective effort to safeguard the future of our children by investing in their rights, well-being, and potential.
Be part of the conversation. Be part of the change. Join us to contribute to a brighter future for our children.