Investing in Child-Centred Justice: Highlights from the CFJ-EN Annual Seminar 2026
What does it mean to invest in justice that places children’s needs at its centre?
This question shaped the CFJ-EN Annual Seminar, held in Brussels on 29–30 October 2026 under the theme “The Value of Investing in Child-Centred Justice”.
Antonia Zaloni attended as a ThinkOnception associate, sharing photographs and notes from two days of presentations, discussions and practical activities. The programme explored prevention, early intervention and cooperation across justice, education and health.
A shared commitment to children
Describing the opening day, Antonia wrote:
«A powerful day, bringing together around 100 people with a shared commitment to children, guided by expertise and driven by the wellbeing of the most vulnerable.
The first day unfolded through talks, roundtable discussions and a simulation in which participants took on specific roles.»
Her account captures the shared purpose of the gathering and its combination of discussion and experiential learning.
Making children’s needs visible
Two statements from Nicole Drew’s OECD presentation stood out in the notes Antonia shared:
«Children are the sharpest test of whether a justice system is people-centred: their needs are the least measured and the most expensive to miss.»
«Child justice is exactly the spending that loses under the old architecture: long-horizon returns, cross-ministry, politically invisible. It is exactly what the Unstuck agenda is built to protect.»
— Nicole Drew, OECD
These statements highlight the challenge of securing investment when benefits emerge over time and responsibilities extend across government departments. They also raise a question about how children’s needs are recognised when policies, services and budgets are designed.
Another statement, attributed in Antonia’s notes to Benoît Van Keirsbilck, addressed the choices between detention and support:
«People who live in the street: it's easier to send them in the jail instead of providing a wellbeing.»
— Benoît Van Keirsbilck, as recorded in Antonia’s notes
From discussion to practice
The seminar complemented presentations with activities exploring different perspectives and decision-making priorities. Role cards introduced participants to contrasting positions, including maintaining existing services and identifying potential allies for change.
A plenary session examined cross-country perspectives on the value of investing in child-centred justice and the risks of regression. Smaller group discussions provided further opportunities for exchange.
Across the two days, the programme connected long-term investment with practical questions about cooperation, implementation and children’s wellbeing. The photographs shared here document these exchanges, from plenary sessions to hands-on activities.
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