The International Scientific and Professional Conference SKRB2023 (eng. CARE2023)– Development of services for children and youth with behavioral problems and their families was held in Tuheljske Toplice, Croatia on 23-24 March 2023, organized by the UNICEF Office for Croatia, Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, Ministry of Justice, Administration and Digital Transformation, University of Zagreb Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Center for the Provision of Services in the Community Zagorje and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Osijek.
The conference was organized within the framework of cooperation in the implementation of the ISKORAK program („A Step Forward Program“) – aimed at improving assessment and interventions for children and young people with behavioral problems in social welfare and justice institutions.
The aim of the conference was to bring together experts, decision-makers, children and young people, domestic and foreign exhibitors and other relevant stakeholders who will contribute to improve services for children and young people with behavioral problems and their families in the Republic of Croatia by sharing information, knowledge and experiences.
The main topics of the conference were:
- transformation of the system of care and treatment of children and adolescents with behavioral problems
- mental health of children and adolescents with behavioral problems.
The conference is aimed at experts from social welfare and justice institutions, civil society organizations that provide services for children and youth with behavioral problems, representatives of the relevant state administrative institutions, researchers and other interested stakeholders.
In order to strengthen the participation of children and young people living in educational institutions in decision-making processes and the improvement of the care system, the conference included content and workshops for children and young people – users of educational institutions.
It was a hibrid conference with around 200 live participants, including 44 children and young people, and over 250 online participants.
The conference program for adult participants consisted of invited lectures by domestic and foreign experts from the academic community, experts from the field, representatives of the Office of the Ombudswoman for Children of the Republic of Croatia and UNICEF. A special part of the conference was also a program for children and young people in care. The aim of this part of the program was to strengthen the participation of children and young people accommodated in educational institutions, to promote their mutual acquaintance and to intensify the exchange of experiences among young people and with adult participants on the quality of care in Croatia. The main themes of the youth program were therefore the participation of children and young people in alternative care, their needs and care in the best interests of children.
PLENARY LECTURES 2023:
