University of Victoria
Royal Roads University
Simon Fraser University Centre for Restorative Justice
BC Association of Social Workers
University of British Columbia
Education, Law, Social Work and Health in Dialogue
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up safe, healthy, respected, and heard. Yet no single profession can respond to the full complexity of a child's life. Children's wellbeing is shaped by education, health, law, family, community, culture, and the voices of children themselves.
Child in the Centre: Education, Law, Social Work and Health in Dialogue brings together leading scholars, practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and young people to exchange ideas and explore how these perspectives can work together more effectively in the best interests of the child.
Rooted in the principles set forth in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the series embraces a holistic understanding of children's wellbeing. Each keynote speaker reflects on the challenges encountered within their own profession while considering the wider network of professions, institutions, families, and communities required to support children effectively. The keynotes are followed by an interdisciplinary dialogue designed to explore how collaboration can become practice.
Together, the four thematic seminars examine children's wellbeing through complementary perspectives in Indigenous law, education, justice, social work, and social pediatrics, followed by a concluding synthesis and policy session that brings the lessons together for policy and practice.
Open a seminar for its full abstract, program, speakers, attendance options, and registration.
How do Indigenous legal traditions understand children as citizens, and what does that mean for families, communities, and law?
A forward-looking dialogue on the future of child rights and education, grounded in climate justice, Indigenous knowledge, digital realities, mental health, and children’s overall wellbeing.
A dialogue on justice, belonging, legal agency, relationships, accountability, and collective care for children.
A health-focused seminar exploring the role of community in supporting and protecting child and youth development.
A concluding session that gathers the lessons of the series and engages policymakers, practitioners, academics, and community leaders.
Enter your information once and choose how you want to attend each upcoming session. We will also add the earlier sessions to your catch-up list so you can receive available summaries.
Each available seminar can be selected as in-person or online. In-person registrants receive venue and arrival details. Online registrants receive only the private online access information.
If you join the series after an earlier seminar has taken place, the series registration page can add you to the catch-up list for that session.