Könczöl Miklós’ presentation outlined a conceptual framework for children’s rights arguments, distinguishing their grounds (equality, vulnerability, and development), the types of rights they generate, and the challenges of interpretation and application.

Kuszinger Rebeka examined childhood as a socially constructed and politically charged concept. Drawing on childhood studies and literary theory, it showed how children are alternately framed as vulnerable or dangerous, and how literature destabilizes these binaries by portraying unsettling or non-innocent child figures.

Körtvélyesi Zsolt analyzed forced child removals from Roma families, noting that affected children often show increased violent or delinquent behavior later in life. He emphasized that these removals conflict with international norms, which prioritize family unity and dictate that removal should be a last resort. Körtvélyesi also highlighted that the higher removal rates among minority families may stem from systemic discrimination, creating a tension between child protection and preserving family integrity.

Alberti Giulia explained that implementing a child’s best interests requires two steps – assessment and determination – through a structured yet flexible approach that considers the child’s individuality, views, family environment, and rights to care, protection, education, and health.

Nyitray Zsuzsanna emphasized that the right to free education is a fundamental human right essential for accessing all other rights, enshrined in multiple international treaties and supported by global political commitments. She highlighted ongoing challenges worldwide, including financing gaps, inequalities, privatization, and the need to adapt education systems to technological, social, and environmental changes.

Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati highlighted that girl children face unique and severe violations – including child marriage, sexual exploitation, and educational discrimination – despite protections under international law. She emphasized the oversexualization of girls in media, the vulnerabilities of those in foster care and child-care systems, and the disproportionate risks faced by Indigenous girls in Canada, including overrepresentation in care systems and trafficking.

Herczog Mária and Lux Ágnes emphasized the need for an integrated EU child protection system to ensure a cohesive, rights-based framework that addresses disparities in abuse prevention, neglect, exploitation, and poverty-related issues across member states. They proposed harmonized legal standards, interoperable data systems, multi-agency service delivery, sustainable funding, and child-centered governance with active participation of children.

Allan Okeyo’s systematic review explored young motherhood through a socio-ecological lens, showing that vulnerabilities like poverty, stigma, school dropout, and limited healthcare access are structurally produced rather than inherent. He emphasized that young mothers occupy dual roles as children and caregivers, whose rights to health, education, protection, and non-discrimination are frequently at risk. The study stresses the need for multi-level, context-sensitive social work interventions to support their agency and uphold their rights.

Daniel Ternyik’s analysis of Hungarian social work programs prioritize children and families through courses on child protection and welfare, yet give limited explicit attention to child rights. He recommended more systematic integration of child rights via global citizenship, international social work, and critical pedagogy to enhance social work education.