National conference "Children's participation - a prerequisite for a successful and independent life"

The National Conference Children's Participation - a Prerequisite for a Successful and Independent Life is organized by the Know-how Center for the Alternative Care for Chilren, NBU (KHC) within the frame of the International Child Protection Hub (ChildHub). During the event, the KHC will present their experience in stimulating child participation to promote independent living for those leaving care. In addition, some findings from the study "Deinstitutionalization - The Case of Bulgaria 3" will be shared.

The voluntary and informed inclusion of children in all spheres of their lives is empasized in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children's participation ensures the meaningful exercise of children's rights and creates an environment in which adults not only serve the needs of children, but also give them the opportunity to fully enjoy the exercise of these rights. When we simply meet their needs in the childcare system, we make children dependent on the institutional system. When we give children the opportunity to exercise their rights, we give them the freedom to develop their personalities.

There is no universal childhood experience, every childhood is different. Childhood is a period of developing capacity. In this process of growth, children grow and develop, acquire new knowledge and skills that give them the opportunity to make decisions about their future, gradually reducing the need for someone to take care of them. How does this process take place in Family Type Placement Centers (FTPC) and other similar services? Are there prerequisites for authentic child participation or do we observe processes that limit or completely exclude children? Are there good practices that could be used and further developed?

These are some of the questions for which the KHC will look to answer during the conference.

The event is open access and is designed for:

• Social service professionals
• NGOs working with children and young people
• Stakeholders for whom child participation is an important topic
• Youth

Registration is required at the following link: https://forms.gle/ra9JuAyawiHnnmV19

Preliminary program:

10.00-10.10: Child Protection Hub - presentation: Elen Ivanova

10.10-10.40: The "Children's Participation" approach through the rights of the child, expecting confirmation

10.40-11.15: Preparing young people for independent living - The "Let's Fulfill (Im)possible Dreams" project, presented by Valentina Simeonova and Radostina Antonova

11.15-11.30: Discussion

11.30-11.45: Coffee break

11.45-12.30: Study of the process of deinstitutionalization and child participation - key findings, presented by Evgeniya Toneva

12.30-12.45: Discussion

12.45-13.00: Summary and closure of the conference