We are pleased to announce the next Child Safeguarding Summit 2024: For a Childhood Free from Violence in the Americas. It will take place on 17-18 April 2024 in Montevideo, Uruguay and will also be held virtually, ensuring global accessibility. It is organised by Keeping Children Safe together with the British Embassy in Montevideo and the National Human Rights Institution and is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, Aldeas Infantiles Spain and the University of Reading.
The summit will be a platform for the exchange of good practices, knowledge, experiences and common challenges to improve the protection of children and adolescents from abuse, exploitation and neglect.
The two-day programme will bring together national and regional authorities, international leaders, social organisations and academic and research institutions from the Americas. Faye O’Connor OBE; the President of the National Human Rights Institution, Jimena Fernández; the President of the Uruguayan Institute of Children and Adolescents (INAU), Dr Guillermo Fossati; the CEO of Keeping Children Safe, Ms Sarah Blakemore; and representatives of CEIBAL, the Inter-American Children’s Institute, among other local and international organisations.
The event will take place at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Institution, located at Bulevar Artigas 1532, Montevideo, Uruguay. Both days will begin at 9 am (Uruguayan time) and are scheduled to end at 4 pm.
“Every child has the right to grow up free from violence. Child safeguarding is the responsibility of organisations to ensure that they fully respect the rights of children and adolescents. Ending child abuse, exploitation and neglect in organisations is a shared responsibility and must be a priority. That is why we are very happy to convene this summit together with the British Embassy and the National Human Rights Institution. It represents a real opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and adolescents in Uruguay and in the Americas”.
Sarah Blakemore, CEO of Keeping Children Safe.
Faye O’Connor OBE, British Ambassador to Uruguay.
“Tackling child abuse is one of the UK government’s top priorities. That is why, for years, together with organisations like Keeping Children Safe, the embassy has been supporting trainings that involve people from different backgrounds: military, police, judiciary, civil society, people involved in education, health, public policy. It is crucial that we work together locally, regionally and globally, to share good practices, knowledge and information so that we are all equipped and can build capacity to respond to child exploitation and abuse.”
“The Institution plays a crucial role in the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly when it comes to vulnerable groups. The child and teenage population is, therefore, an absolute priority for us”.
Jimena Fernández, President of the National Human Rights Institution (INDDHH).
Dr Guillermo Fossati, President of the Uruguayan Institute of Children and Adolescents (INAU).
“Emerging thinking on child safeguarding increasingly focuses on the importance of a holistic and systemic approach to protection. An effective inter-sectoral and inter-agency cooperation mechanism needs to be established for the identification, assessment, referral, assistance and follow-up of victims and potential victims of violence, abuse, neglect, abuse and exploitation. It is a shared responsibility, and for this reason, the Uruguayan Institute of Children and Adolescents (INAU) recognises the positive actions developed by Keeping Children Safe and declares the event “For a Childhood free from Violence in the Americas” , of which whe will gladly participate, of interest for the institution.”
How to participate:
Registration is free of charge. To participate virtually or in person, you can click here: https://bit.ly/InfanciasSinViolencia-2024
Download the press release in Spanish: