Inaugural International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support commences

Nearly 700 delegates will gather online over the next two days for the first-ever International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support (I-CEPS), a global initiative that aims to create a better world for children by supporting parents.

Experts in the field of family support will come together between 6-8 June as part of the Australian initiative spearheaded by the Parenting and Family Research Alliance (PAFRA).

Australian Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth will open the Congress, which will be supported by two global ambassadors – Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds and former first Welsh Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe.

Ms Hollonds said the global event is “a rare opportunity to share evidence about how we can best support families and parents in their important relationships with children and young people”.

“In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we need to put the child and their family at the centre of our support systems. It’s our responsibility to listen to what children and their families say they need, and to re-design basic public service systems across health, education and social services, to ensure they are fit for purpose in 2023 and beyond,” she added.

The opening keynote will be given by Professor Jack Shonkoff from Harvard University, who is internationally renowned for his work in revolutionising the field of early child development.

An extensive program of the latest research on family issues from Australian researchers and practitioners will follow, including:

• A contemporary look at time-out: Professor Mark Dadds, of University of Sydney and Growing Minds Australia, will talk about parental discipline strategies in the age of child mental health, attachment, and trauma.

• Screen use habits in early childhood: panelists from The University of Queensland, Institute of Child Protection Studies and Swinburne University of Technology will present research that shows that children’s screen time vastly exceeds guidelines. The panel will discuss how to support and educate parents – starting from pregnancy.

• Digital parenting support: a panel discussion, led by Raising Children Network Director Derek McCormack and Monash University panelists, will discuss parenting support in the digital age.

• Teens still need their parents: researchers from The University of Queensland and other institutions will talk about how important it is for parents to foster their connection with their adolescent and how to improve policy and support services for parents of teens.

See the full program and abstracts here. For more information, visit the conference website.