Welcome from the President of European Network Child Friendly Cities

Welcome at the 8th Child in the City conference!

As we begin the next Child in the City conference in Ghent, we will be able to reflect on the past 15 years of the Child in the City movement. Over seven different conferences, people from 35 countries have come together to share their expertise and experience. Politicians, researchers, NGOs and civil servants have presented successful projects and plans. During informal moments they have even admitted difficulties and failures. The CitC-movement is powered by the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the one hand, by local initiatives on the other.

The title of the conference emphasises that good urban politics for children will secure good social and environmental qualities for them and their families, enabling them to remain within cities with sustainable, long-term futures.

At the conference we will provide a variety of procedures ranging from the familiar paper, video- or poster presentations to short (5 minute) presentations, multidisciplinary workshops and exhibition stalls.

On our website you will find invitations to send us papers and other information for the conference, which will help us build a dynamic conference in our common endeavour to further develop the child friendly cities movement.

I’m looking forward to meeting you and to sharing this special event with you.

Dr. Jan Van Gils

President ENCFC – European Network Child Friendly Cities