On Friday, September 13th, Dr. Marit Skivenes, director of the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism (DIPA) and Professor at the University of Bergen, participated in the seminar “Locking up Children and Young People in the Nordic Countries: Present Challenges and Ways Forward in Child Welfare..” The event, held at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in Helsinki, provided a crucial forum for discussing the complex issue of confinement in child welfare.
The seminar, attended by decision-makers, researchers, and social workers, focused on the issue of confinement practices across the Nordic countries. The event brought together experts from various sectors to discuss the necessity and consequences of locking up children and young people, balancing protection and care against potential harm.
Key challenges and how to approach them
Dr. Skivenes was a panelist in the discussion titled “Alternative Practices for Confinement – Where Do We Go From Here?” Besides Dr. Skivenes, the panel, facilitated by Dr. Tarja Pösö from Tampere University, also featured a diverse group of experts including:
- Juno Blom, Ombudsman for Children (Sweden)
- Kate Crowe, Researcher, Churchill and Creswick Fellow (Australia)
- Jimmy Krab, Project Leader, De Anbragtes Vilkår (Denmark)
- Jakob Lawaetz, Special Consultant, Aarhus Kommune (Denmark)
- Dania Omar, Change Factory (Norway)
- Elina Pekkarinen, Ombudsman for Children (Finland)
The panel discussion addressed the varying approaches and challenges faced by the Nordic countries regarding confinement. The seminar, which was the final event of the Nordic research network on this topic, aimed to offer a comprehensive platform for reflection and dialogue among researchers and stakeholders on present practices and future directions.
Supported by the Nordic network and funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, the seminar was co-chaired by Linnaeus University and Stockholm University in Sweden, along with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The event substantiated the ongoing need to examine confinement practices from multiple perspectives, including child welfare, criminal justice, and healthcare systems.
Featured photo: Jenni Repo