The conference called "Investment in children is the key to well-being" was held within the framework of the joint organization of the Ministry of Education and Children of Iceland and the Council of Europe. The conference took place during Iceland's presidency of the Council of Europe Cabinet On March 30.

Our country was represented by Mrs. Jeyran Rahmatullayeva, the head of the Apparatus Chief of Staff of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs.

Discussions were held in the direction of the implementation of the "Children's Strategy for 2022-2027" of the Council of Europe, important issues covered in the document include protection of children from violence, equal opportunities and social integration for all children, access to quality mental health services for children, safe use of internet resources and technologies by all children, children's rights and artificial intelligence, as well as protection of children's rights in crisis and emergency situations at the 2^nd day meeting of the Steering Committee.

During the meeting, a report containing recommendations on effective measures to protect the rights of separated and unaccompanied children during migration processes and an endorsement on the situation of children affected by the war in Ukraine, as well as a document prepared on the repatriation of children affected by the war and violence in Syria projects were discussed.

During the discussions, Mrs.Jeyran Rahmatullayeva shared her views and expressed her suggestions regarding the involvement of children living in the war conditions in long-term psychosocial rehabilitation services.

The partner countries were recommended to prepare national strategies within the framework of the relevant Strategy of the Council of Europe regarding children's participation until 2026, including the translation of the mentioned document into the native languages of the member countries at the meeting.

Within the framework of the meeting, a familiarization trip with the "Barnahuz" model organized for the first time in Iceland in 1998  was realized, which unites children who have been subjected to violence (especially sexual violence) under one umbrella and includes social psychological and access to justice services, and training  on the model for the experts of the committee, questions and an answers session was organized.

The member countries were called to implement this model, which is considered the most successful in terms of the effective implementation of the Lanzarote Convention.

The meeting continued with the selection of the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Committee for 2023-2024, the presentation of representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, experts of international organizations, and the special rapporteur of the UN General Secretariat on violence against children.

Presentations and reports were made by representatives of the UN and international organizations, as well as professors and specialists from various universities and academic circles at the conference on the theme "Investment in children - the key to well-being" on March 30, 2023 and the Committee members from 45 countries were instructed during the conference.

The dialogue between the special rapporteur of Dr. Najat Maalan. the UN General Secretariat on violence against children and Mr.Asmundur Einar, the minister of Children and Education of Iceland  was met with special interest.

UN official, Ms. Najat Maalan emphasized the importance of treating the social sphere related to children not as a philanthropic approach, but as an important area of investment for the future.

She said that it is not successful to apply the experience of one country to another as it is related to the sharing of experiences. Each state should adapt what it has learned and apply it to its own country.

The conference continued its work with presentations and reports by Dr. Ramesh Raghavan, a professor of Sylvia School of Social Work of New York University, Prof.Morten Kjarum head of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Institute  and other Icelandic experts, as well as dialogue and presentations of Iceland's children  with leading potential.