ISPCAN Lugano Congress 2027

Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Friends, 

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the ISPCAN International Congress 2027 in Lugano, Switzerland, as we gather to mark an extraordinary milestone — the 50th anniversary of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN). Over the past five decades, ISPCAN has helped shape a global movement dedicated to protecting children from all forms of abuse, violence, neglect, and exploitation. What began as a visionary conversation among pioneers in child protection has grown into a worldwide network of professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates working together to advance the science, policy, and practice of safeguarding children. 

It is particularly meaningful that this anniversary brings us back close to where the idea for ISPCAN first emerged. In 1975, discussions among child protection leaders at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center helped inspire what would soon become ISPCAN, formally established in 1977 in Denver, Colorado.  Knowing this history, we have come together to lead this congress with members from Italy and Switzerland.  Returning to this region invites us not only to celebrate how far the field has come, but also to reflect on the responsibility we share to continue to shape the future for all children to thrive. 

During the past 50 years, our understanding of child maltreatment has evolved profoundly. Advances in neuroscience, public health, child rights frameworks, and prevention science have transformed how we understand trauma, resilience, and the lifelong impact of early adversity. Global adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child has further strengthened the principle that children must be recognized not merely as recipients of care, but as rights holders whose voices matter. 

Yet despite these advances, the work before us remains urgent. Millions of children around the world continue to face violence in homes, communities, institutions, and increasingly in digital spaces. Rapid social change, global climate changes, migration, conflict, technological transformation, and economic inequality continue to challenge our systems of protection. 

The theme of the 2027 Congress — “The Networked Child: Rethinking Protection Through Communication, Participation, Collaboration, and Innovation” — reflects the reality that protecting children today requires connected systems and shared responsibility. Effective child protection cannot be achieved by one discipline, institution, or country alone. It depends on strong communication across sectors, meaningful participation of children and families, collaboration between professionals and institutions, and the thoughtful use of new technologies and knowledge. 

This global congress is designed to foster exactly that spirit of collaboration that ISPCAN represents with our learning communities. Over the coming days, participants from across the world will engage in dialogue, share evidence and innovations, and examine both enduring challenges and emerging risks — from the neurobiology of trauma to digital safety, from prevention strategies to justice systems that place children at the center. We are especially inspired by the commitment of the local partners and academic institutions in Lugano, whose research and practice exemplify the interdisciplinary and collaborative approach that the future of child protection requires. 

As we celebrate fifty years of ISPCAN, we also look forward. The next era of child protection demands that we move beyond fragmented responses toward stronger systems of prevention, integrated policies, and collective global action. It requires investing in children not only as a moral imperative but as a foundation for healthier, more resilient societies. We hope that the conversations and connections formed during this congress will inspire new partnerships, new research, and renewed commitment to building a safer world for children everywhere. 

Thank you for being part of this historic moment and for the vital work each of you contributes to protecting children. 

With warm regards,