Expert Group on Children at Risk: Second meeting under the Swedish Presidency

On 19-20 April 2018, the CBSS Expert Group on Children at Risk held its second meeting during the Swedish Presidency discussing national and regional developments as they relate to the mandate and priorities of the Group as well as the upcoming 20th anniversary of the CBSS cooperation on children at risk, which shall be celebrated during the CBSS Presidency held by Latvia.

In this light, Ingrid Åkerman, Head of the Special Group for Children at Risk during 1999 – 2002 and Agneta Björklund, responsible from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, reflected on the beginnings of the Expert Group and shared memories about the challenges and priorities of that time: The core work at the start was building networks and working with a broad
professional group. There was a strong emphasis on working with NGOs, which was key to be able to understand how the countries were working with sexually abused children. The Barnahus was on the agenda from the beginning. The two originators concluded that the work of the Expert Group looks different today as it has refined its way of working to respond to rapid changes and to work concretely with officials and professionals on all levels.

See more images from the meeting here.