Protection of children's rights: Denys Uliutin meets with World Childhood Foundation in Sweden

The purpose of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity delegation’s visit to Sweden is to deepen strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of social protection, particularly in protecting children's rights. This includes studying the Barnahus model, promoting family-based care, and exploring Sweden’s approaches to active aging and prosthetics systems.

During the visit, meetings are planned with representatives of the Swedish Government, international foundations, and social sector institutions, as well as participation in high-level events.

On October 8, Minister Denys Uliutin and First Deputy Minister Liudmyla Shemelynets met with representatives of the World Childhood Foundation, established by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden. The Foundation’s mission is to protect children’s rights and improve living conditions for vulnerable and exploited children at risk worldwide.

The Foundation fulfills its mission through partnerships with civil society organizations, companies, and other foundations, investing in innovative methods and raising awareness about child violence, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“The family is the only environment for a child’s harmonious development, and Ukraine aims to fully transition from institutional care to family-based forms of upbringing. Our country has begun implementing the European Child Guarantee in close cooperation with international partners, including Sweden. The goal is to strengthen protection against violence, develop social services for children with disabilities, and support the professional development of social workers,” said Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine.

He also expressed gratitude to Sweden for its unwavering support of Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale war, particularly in reforming the social protection system and safeguarding children’s rights.

In turn, representatives of the Foundation shared Sweden’s experience in developing family-based care and supporting children with disabilities.

Currently, Ukraine is implementing a Strategy to Ensure Every Child’s Right to a Family Environment, which aims to create conditions where every child has the right to a family.

It is worth noting that earlier, First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine Liudmyla Shemelynets met with World Childhood Foundation representatives in Kyiv. During that meeting, the parties discussed opportunities for practical cooperation in implementing the Child Guarantee, including expert support from Save the Children in developing the National Action Plan and ways the Foundation can enhance the Ministry’s efforts in this process.