Young people created the 2025 Child Rights Conference

"We are here. We care. Take us seriously." This is how the young people expressed their message. They had planned and created this year's Children's Rights Conference themselves, and their voices were at the center of the day.

The theme of this year's Children's Rights Conference was Trust and the Rights of the Child in a Changing World. The day explored what makes young people trust adults - and what can cause trust to break down. What made the conference special was that the young people themselves had decided the theme, made the program and led the discussions.

- You adults say you know what it's like to be young, because you've been young. I don't mean to sound harsh, but the problem is that you don't know what it's like now. But your children do, so ask them what it's like," said Zeina Kifo from Öxnehaga in Jönköping.

Research, conversations and personal stories

The Children's Rights Conference featured current research and personal stories. Researcher Stephanie Plenty presented new findings from a major study on young people's democratic engagement. Young people then participated in a panel discussion with, among others, Evin Cetin, founder of SAO jobs (a form of employment for secondary school students aged 14).

Two-time speaker of the year Charbel Gabro gave a talk on how people from different backgrounds can understand each other better. Marx Mukuru and Nasir Sarr, winners of the 'Local Poet of the Year' award, performed texts about injustice and what it can feel like to grow up in today's society.

A meeting place for important conversations

Child rights issues concern many professionals. The conference brought together adults working in, for example, schools, social services, health care or the non-profit sector. This made the day an important platform to talk about children's rights - both in the region and in Sweden.

- "I hope that those of you who are here will take this with you to your businesses. It doesn't have to be a big conference, but just create discussions," says Minda Ranerås, 19 years old from Tenhult.