Child empowerment at the heart of this year's children's rights conference 

- When the new Social Services Act comes into force next year, it will be crucial that we intensify work on preventive interventions for children and young people, said Camilla Waltersson Grönvall. For this we neede need a strong civil society that can build bridges and contribute with its resources and knowledge.

During the Children's Rights Conference at Jönköping University, around 300 participants from schools, social services, health care and the non-profit sector gathered to discuss how child participation can be strengthened. Through lectures and panel discussions, they discussed how adults can become better at including children in important decisions.

- "Every day, Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad meets committed children and young people who want to be involved in the development of society," says Mattias Ingeson, Secretary-General of Erikshjälpen. "But society needs to create structures where children's voices are taken seriously and have a real impact.

In one of the panel discussions, socialtMinister for Social Affairs Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, Police Commissioner Carin Götblad and Jönköping County Governor Brittis Benzler. They shared their perspectives on child participation and were questioned by young people from Vetlanda Youth Council and Underground Råslätt.

- As a as a minister, it is obviously important to listen to children's voices if you are to drive credible changee, said Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

The day included lectures and seminars on children's rights and how adults can work to ensure that children are heard and taken seriously in decisions that affect their daily lives. By bringing together experts, politicians, civil servants and young people, the conference is an important platform for promoting children's rights work both in the region and nationally.