Inaugural Rise Up Policy Forum
Vilnius Congress 2025
October 9, 2025
Inaugural Rise Up Policy Forum
9 October, Vilnius, Lithuania
This first ever Rise Up Policy Forum was opened by Jūratė Zailskienė, Lithuanian Minister of Social Security and Labour and Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children. The CEO of ISPCAN, Pragathi Tummala, who envisioned and created this innovative new learning forum to accelerate progress in child protection and translate country pledges made at the 2024 Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children into action– set the tone for how we need to think and act differently.
ISPCAN boldly launched the Rise Up Policy Forum in Vilnius at the ISPCAN 2025 Congress, focusing the fourth day of the international gathering on solutions. The Forum was attended by 270 multi-sectoral experts including 63 government delegates, researchers, practitioners, NGOs, survivors and activists, funders and policy makers from 60 countries.
The Policy Forum aimed to accelerate progress in ending child abuse and neglect in a provocative new way by:
- Promoting a preventative, sustainable public health and system strengthening approach to child protection.
- Bringing together multi-sectoral perspectives and engaging governments in the community of practice and learning.
- Focusing on practical implementation of efforts to end child abuse and neglect.
- Creating an interactive forum for governments where open dialogue, strategic conversation and problem-solving can take place.
- Fostering connection and capacity-building across and within nations to connect policy makers with researchers and practitioners.
- Honestly addressing the real world challenges, sharing solutions and making child protection a winnable battle.
“Governments have the hardest job of all to manage many priorities and oversee the welfare of a nation. We have to help them be successful by bringing the research, practice and policy together so HOW to best care for children is not only on them to figure out. Addressing the challenges, maximizing resources and finding solutions is our collective responsibility.”
Pragathi Tummala, ISPCAN CEO
Najat Maalla M’jid
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
Rise Up Policy Forum opening remarks
Leading Pathfinding Initiative and Investment Case Session
- Mohammed Meqdady, National Council for Family Affairs, Jordan
- Soma Sara, Activist/Survivor, Everyone’s Invited
- Chrissy Hart, Researcher, Together for Girls
- Timothy Opobo, Social worker, AfriChild
Multi-sectoral perspectives on the way forward
Rise Up Policy Forum brings insights, builds collaboration, inspires hope
Governments are the lead partner in efforts to end child abuse and neglect at scale and yet are often missing from communities of practice and learning.
The Policy Forum featured multiple interactive, multi-sectoral conversations, where knowledge sharing and collaborative problem solving across sectors, disciplines and countries aimed to address the challenges and bridge the gaps preventing faster progress in ending child abuse and neglect.
We were delighted to be joined by government delegates from 26 countries including Armenia, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, China, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, Portugal, Peru, Singapore, Somalia, Taiwan, Thailand, Uganda, UAE, and the UK, among others.
Inspiring Government Speakers
Lydia Najjemba Wasula, Principal Probation and Welfare Officer, Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Uganda
Mohammed Meqdady, Secretary General, National Council For Family Affairs, Jordan
Mohamed Abdi Ali, Director, Child Rights Department, Ministry of Family & Human Rights Development, Somalia
Gevorg, Gharibyan, Head of Children and Social Protection Department, Yerevan Municipality, Armenia
Naoufel Boussafa, General Department of Human Rights, Dubai Police, UAE
Moses Marang’a, Executive Director, National Council on the Administration of Justice, Kenya
Anchana Chailert, Department of Special Investigation, Thailand
Major Rashed Naser Al Ali, Dubai Police
Sónia Lourenço Rosa, Head of International Relations, National Commission for the Promotion of the Rights and the Protection of Children and Young People, Portugal
22 Policy Forum sessions brought together multi-sectoral speakers and interactive formats to dig into practical in-country experience; share cost-effective, high-impact solutions; explore innovative approaches to data, practice and policy; and discuss the fundamentals of child protection system strengthening.
Rise Up Policy Forum Mastermind Sessions
The program was built around six Child Protection System Strengthening Pillars. Effective Governance and Multisectoral Coordination was determined by the group to be the foundational pillar for all the others to work effectively. Each session was focused on real world challenges faced by governments and partners implementing these key elements in country. The interactive Mastermind sessions were drawing from the expertise of the multinational researchers, practitioners and policy makers from all sectors in the room to openly discuss and learn from one another.
Plenary Session: Rise Up Policy Forum High Level Launch
- Government champions opening words
- Welcome to your new community of practice and learning!
- Framing the day: pursuing accelerated and sustained progress through a public health and system strengthening approach
- An interactive townhall session using open space and IT technology to crowdsource audience perspective and identify priorities in advancing the ‘how’ of child protection globally to locally.
- Child protection public health and system strengthening pillars interactive bingo
Closing Session: Roadmap to the Future
- The challenges, opportunities and priorities – delegate survey results of prioritizing process needed to advance: Multisectoral collaborative leadership in every nation with political champions, resources and mindsets
- Building the community of practice, regional ISPCAN Rise Up Policy Forums– partner with us to help governments implement pledges
- The Second Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children
- The Pathfinding Alliance with UNSRSG
- All partners, sectors and disciplines need to collaborate with governments
- Our collective pledge to champion the cause
All Mastermind Sessions
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Advancing Lithuania’s Multi-sectoral Approach to Child Protection Across Three Ministries
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Government of LithuaniaMinistry of Social Security and Labour, Government of LithuaniaMinistry of Health, Government of LithuaniaPrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Building the Investment Case for Ending Violence Against Children: The Investment Toolkit and an Example of Country Implementation
The Secretary General Special Representative on Violence Against Children
National Commission for the Promotion of the Rights and the Protection of Children and Young People, PortugalPrimary Pillar(s): A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Safety Ambassadors: A Pioneering Policing Strategy Promoting Child Confidence and Safety Through Child Participation
Dubai PolicePrimary Pillar(s): Child, survivor and community participation
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Achieving a Paradigm Shift in Addressing Child Sexual Exploitation: Transformative Preventative Policing Strategies
ECPAT
Down to Zero – SUFASEC partners
Department of Special Investigation, Thailand
Financial Intelligence Unit, Government of PeruPrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Safe to Learn: A Breakthrough Approach to Ending Violence Against Children through Safe and Enabling Schools
Safe to Learn
Together for Girls
Centre for Global Development
Coalition for Good Schools
National Council for Family Affairs, JordanPrimary Pillar(s): Data and evidence, A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Bridging the Gap: How Governments Can Lead with Vision, Evidence, and Practice to End Childhood Sexual Violence
To Zero
Safe Futures Hub
National Council on the Administration of Justice, Republic of KenyaPrimary Pillar(s): Data and evidence, A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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A Social Determinants Framework for Implementing the INSPIRE Technical Package for Ending Violence Against Children
World Health Organization
Public Health WalesPrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Alumbra: Knowledge and Practice Community for the Prevention of Child Sexual Violence in Mexico
The Early Institute, Mexico
National Institute of Pediatrics, MexicoPrimary Pillar(s): A continuum of prevention and response services
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Building a Coordinated National System: Jordan’s Multisectoral Approach to Ending Violence Against Children
National Council For Family Affairs, Government of Jordan
Institute for Family Health, JordanPrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination
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Pathway to Universal Access to Parent and Caregiver Support
Global Initiative to Support Parents
World Health Organization
ECDAN
Parenting for Lifelong Health
International Rescue Committee
UNICEFPrimary Pillar(s): Data and evidence, A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Bridging Commitments and Implementation: Lessons in Scaling Parenting Support
Global Initiative to Support ParentsWorld Health OrganizationECDANParenting for Lifelong HealthInternational Rescue CommitteeUNICEFPrimary Pillar(s): A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Sector Strategies to Align Evidence, Technology, and Policy
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Australia
Australian Childhood Foundation
Kids First Australia
Anglicare Victoria
Impact Initiative
Victoria State GovernmentPrimary Pillar(s): Data and evidence
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The Health Sector’s Role in Preventing and Responding to Violence against Children
The World Health Organization
Ministry of Health, Government of Namibia
Violence, Evidence, Guidance, Action (VEGA) Project, McMaster UniversityPrimary Pillar(s): A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions, A continuum of prevention and response services
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Ensuring a Safe Future for Every Child: Harnessing the Power of Collaborative Engagement and Child Participation for a World Free of Child Labour
Terre des Hommes Netherlands
Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Children Services, Kenya
Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Fonction Publique, Government of Madagascar
Social Economic Council, NetherlandsPrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , Child, survivor and community participation
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Investment with Impact – Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Cases Concerning Violence Against Children (Barnahus) with Country Examples
The Barnahus NetworkMinistry of Social Affairs, Family and Children, Lithuania
Barnahus Slovenia
Australian Centre for Child Protection
CAC Resources, LLCPrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , A continuum of prevention and response services
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The Case for Missingness of Children and Adolescents as an Adverse Childhood Experience
Missing Children Europe
Primary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , Child, survivor and community participation
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Bringing Social Work to Bear for Child Well-being in Crisis, with Examples from Crisis-affected Countries
International Rescue Committee
Global Social Service Workforce AlliancePrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Family Resource Centres: A Low Cost, High Impact, Upstream Policy Strategy for Ensuring Children & Families Thrive
International Association of Family Support Networks
Family Resource Centre National Forum, Ireland
Government of IrelandPrimary Pillar(s): A continuum of prevention and response services, Child, survivor and community participation
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Bridging the Knowledge Triad: Integrating Data, Practice-Based Expertise, and Lived Experience to Strengthen Child Protection
Together for Girls
Brave MovementSafe Futures HubNational Council on the Administration of Justice, Government of KenyaPrimary Pillar(s): Data and evidence, Child, survivor and community participation
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The Whole of Government Approach to Promoting Child Wellbeing in Uganda, with Introduction to the CPSS Framework for Action
Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Govt of Uganda
CPSS Framework for Action Task TeamPrimary Pillar(s): Governance and multi-sectoral coordination , A National Action Plan, capacity building and scaled solutions
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Cultivating Change in Advancing Child Protection Systems in Somalia Through Collaborative Efforts and Coordinated Actions
Somali Federal Republic Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development
Save the Children SomaliaPrimary Pillar(s): Policy and legislation, Governance and multi-sectoral coordination
Champion the Cause With Us
- This new pink and blue ribbon representing all children can be branded and used widely.
- Please download and make child protection a memorable and worthy cause-- bring attention, support and education for the general public
- Help us remove the stigma of talking about this global problem
Coming Soon. New Resources!
- Policy briefs and other co-created session outputs. These will be made available on the Rise Up session webpages and the ISPCAN resource library in the coming weeks.
- Delegate survey results of priorities
- A collection of resources to support progress on each pillar of a public health and system strengthening approach to ending violence against children.
- Special Issue of ISPCAN’s Journal of Child Protection and Practice
Scientific Partners
Local Hosts and Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit joins ISPCAN as a strategic partner in 2025. For over 75 years, this international child rights organization has advanced children’s rights to safe, nurturing, and violence-free development –regardless of background, faith, or circumstances. Through evidence-based family strengthening, education, emergency response, and child protection programming, SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit develops internationally recognized standards, policies, and interventions that are globally informed yet locally implemented.
