A unique international seminar is taking place this week in Luxembourg, hosted by the a.s.b.l PADEM (Programmes d’Aide et de Développement pour les Enfants du Monde). The event brings together local partners from Mongolia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Kosovo to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and strengthen collaborative efforts around child protection and community development.
PADEM, which focuses on improving the lives of vulnerable children worldwide, emphasises that supporting communities as a whole is essential to ensuring children’s well-being. The seminar’s workshops cover a broad range of themes including gender-based violence, inclusive education for children with disabilities, advocacy, and sustainable waste management.
Sophie, a partner from Kenya, highlighted the importance of addressing root causes within communities. “You can’t protect children in isolation,” she explained. “By empowering caregivers, especially women, and addressing basic needs like access to clean water and sanitation, entire families become more resilient.” She described impactful work in informal settlements in Kenya, where projects supported by PADEM have provided vital infrastructure and inspired economic empowerment among survivors of gender-based violence.
From Mongolia, Bolor emphasised the power of face-to-face collaboration. “Direct exchanges are more meaningful than simply reading reports. We learn new strategies for advocacy and education that we can apply in our own communities,” she noted. She also praised PADEM’s flexible, respectful approach to developing grassroots organisations over time, allowing local partners to grow sustainably.
The seminar underscores PADEM’s core philosophy: lasting change for children begins with investing in local knowledge, inclusive development, and community-driven action. By bringing diverse partners together, the organisation continues to foster a global network of leaders committed to building dignified futures for vulnerable populations.