The Conference “Together for Children” under the auspices of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic
The international scientific conference “Together for Children – Promoting the Best Interests of the Child as a Shared Responsibility of the Family, the State, and Society” took place on 10 February 2026 in the Auditorium of John Paul II of the Catholic University in Ružomberok. The Office of the Commissioner for Children was the main organizer of the conference, which was dedicated to a topic at the intersection of law, psychology, and basic humanity.
Participants included researchers, academics, representatives of the Judicial Council, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, politicians, representatives of the non-profit sector, and parents.
“Efficiency and speed in judicial decision-making in family law matters are direct tools for protecting children’s rights. Our judges understand that a child must have the opportunity to express their opinion in a manner appropriate to their age and maturity, and that a safe environment must be created for this,” said Marcela Kosová, the President of the Judicial Council, in her address.
The lectures and panel discussions involving a wide range of participants were united by the effort to uphold “the best interests of the child,” which has become an integral part of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The exchange of views and numerous observations reflecting stakeholders' experiences provided impetus for improved interdisciplinary cooperation. Promoting the best interests of the child by the family, the state, and society is both a shared duty and a shared responsibility.
“I am convinced that this conference can also contribute to ensuring that the family loves the child, the state protects the child, and society respects the child. Only through this cooperation can we ensure that children’s rights do not remain only on paper but become a lived reality. The best interests of the child must not be merely a phrase but a compass for all of us,” concluded Marcela Kosová.
Participants included researchers, academics, representatives of the Judicial Council, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, politicians, representatives of the non-profit sector, and parents.
“Efficiency and speed in judicial decision-making in family law matters are direct tools for protecting children’s rights. Our judges understand that a child must have the opportunity to express their opinion in a manner appropriate to their age and maturity, and that a safe environment must be created for this,” said Marcela Kosová, the President of the Judicial Council, in her address.
The lectures and panel discussions involving a wide range of participants were united by the effort to uphold “the best interests of the child,” which has become an integral part of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The exchange of views and numerous observations reflecting stakeholders' experiences provided impetus for improved interdisciplinary cooperation. Promoting the best interests of the child by the family, the state, and society is both a shared duty and a shared responsibility.
“I am convinced that this conference can also contribute to ensuring that the family loves the child, the state protects the child, and society respects the child. Only through this cooperation can we ensure that children’s rights do not remain only on paper but become a lived reality. The best interests of the child must not be merely a phrase but a compass for all of us,” concluded Marcela Kosová.
