IFC 2016 - 4th International Family Conference: Children's Rights and Family

The International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) defines a “child” as a person below the age of 18, and urges all governments to increase the level of protection for all children under 18 -regardless of their race, religion, or abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from. Governments should ensure that no child is discriminated on any basis, by taking all necessary steps to ensure that the minimum standards set by the Convention are being met. These necessary steps also include helping families protect children’s rights and create an environment where they can grow and reach their potential (Articles 1-4).
According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, “all people, irrespective of sex, age, race, ethnicity, and persons with disabilities, migrants, indigenous peoples, children and youth, especially those in vulnerable situations, should have access to life-long learning opportunities that help them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to exploit opportunities and to participate fully in society.” In relation to that, the document promises “to provide children and youth with a nurturing environment for the full realization of their rights and capabilities, helping our countries to reap the demographic dividend including through safe schools and cohesive communities and families.”
In order to open the ground for an academic discussion of this “nurturing environment of children for the full realization of their rights and capabilities”,in partnership Ufuk Dialog Foundation and Arigatou International/Prayer and Action for Children, the Journalists and Writers Foundation organizes the 4th International Family Conference with a focus on children and family. The conference, titled “Children’s Rights and Family” will be held on 19-20 November, 2016 in Abuja, Nigeria, with an aim of promoting a proactive and universal child rights approach to family.
International Family Conference is a biennial international academic conference which is organized by the Women’s Platform of the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF), which holds General Consultative Status at UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Its aim is to stimulate interdisciplinary and cross-national collaboration and approach to various family issues.
Conference prioritizes policy-oriented articles together with academic and descriptive ones. This call for papers is an invitation for all academics from any disciplines of social science, experts and activists paying attention to the issue of family and children.
Conference Themes
Authors are solicited to contribute to the conference by submitting articles in the following areas, but not limited to:
best interest of the child
positive parenting
parental guidance
parental responsibilities and state assistance
family counseling services
separation from parents
children deprived from family environment
adoption and foster care
education and training of the child
gender divisions in childcare and education
ethics education
freedom of religion and belief
freedom of expression
child privacy
preservation of identity of child
children of minorities / indigenous groups
child / day care services
maternal and children’s health
adequate standard of living of child
children with disabilities
physical and mental needs of child
domestic violence and child abuse
corporal punishment
prevention and early intervention of child abuse
sexual exploitation
early and forced marriages
kidnapping and child trafficking
children involved in criminal activity
children and drug abuse
child labor and family poverty
family and children in war and conflict
child soldiers
juvenile inmates
child migrants and refugees
Submission and Publication Guidelines
Authors should submit an abstract (250-400 words, in English) and their curriculum vitae by June 15, 2016 via online submission system. Notification of abstract acceptance/rejection will be sent on July 15, 2016. The authors of the accepted proposals should submit their full papers (of high academic quality, min. 4000 max. 8000 words without bibliography; in English ), a photo and a short bio (approximately 150 words, in English) for the conference booklet to the conference coordinator by October 20, 2016. The editorial board will evaluate and ask authors to revise their papers (if needed) and resubmit camera ready copies by November 05, 2016.
The accepted papers will be published on the conference webpage and in hard copy.
Venue, Travel, And Accommodation
Conference will be held in Abuja, Nigeria. See the conference website for the details on lodging, travel and venues :http://jwffamilyconference.org/ Travel and accommodation expenses of the accepted presenters will be arranged and covered by the organizers. (Maximum coverage of travel fees is 1000 USD).