Young people participated during children's conference

The annual Children's Rights Conference was again organized on 20 November which is Children's Rights Day – an international day to raise awareness of children's rights. In a packed auditorium at Jönköping University, the audience enjoyed inspiring lectures and discussions where young people were invited to participate.

This year's conference had a strong focus on young people. Moderator was 19-year-old Houler Akhwarzi together with Mattias Ingesson, Secretary General of Erikshjälpen. The theme for the day was “Trust and children's rights in a changing world,” with discussions about children's and young people's experiences of trust in everyday life and in their encounters with social institutions. The discussions also revolved around how adults, together with children and young people, can build bridges of trust that strengthen commitment and optimism about the future.

“Give children responsibility, dare to trust young people, because we take responsibility when we are given it. Talking about young people on a day like this is extremely important, because they are the future,” says Houler Akhwarzi.

Conversations about trust

Together with Minda Ranerås, 19, and Barin Mozori, 18, Houler Akhwarzi took part in a conversation with Evin Cetin, founder of Next Generation Sweden, lawyer, lecturer and author and Stephanie Plenty, researcher at the Institute for Futures Studies. Among other things, the young people highlighted how important the role of teachers is in everyday life, and that being seen and listened to by their teachers gives students greater self-confidence.

“For me as an individual, there may be hope and faith in the future, but from a broader perspective, it becomes more difficult. We need to learn that what we do makes a difference, like with voting, for example,” says Minda Ranerås.

Listening and building bridges

Also on stage was Charbel Gabro, initiator of Suburban Inspiration - a social initiative that strives to create a world where young people in disadvantaged areas feel fully integrated, motivated and can actively participate in society. He spoke about his own journey as a refugee to Sweden and how his parents' experiences have influenced him.

In a positive way, he talked about how adults need to listen to the younger people and build bridges between what he calls "the fancy room" and the more vulnerable communities.

The day ended with three parallel seminars and discussions in which young people participated. The audience had the opportunity to ask questions and talk directly with the young people about strengthening trust between them and adults.

The conference is organized by the Focus Group on the Rights of the Child in Jönköping County, in collaboration with Save the Children, RF-Sisu, Erikshjälpen, Women's and Girls' Shelter, Share Music & Performing Arts, Region Jönköping County, Municipal Development, Jönköping University, Jönköping Municipality, Vetlanda Municipality and the County Administrative Board of Jönköping County.