Children and young people’s participation, child poverty, and children’s right to play were among the topics discussed at this year’s edition of Social Innovation in Norr, organized by Umeå University. In collaboration with UNICEF and the Real Play Coalition, among others, the conference was held entirely online for the first time.
On October 7, the annual conference took place for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to being held online for the first time, it was also the first time the event focused on a specific theme: social innovation for children and young people.
– We chose this theme because the Convention on the Rights of the Child became law this year. “In consultation with our partners—the municipalities of Umeå, Skellefteå, and Luleå—we decided that the conference would focus on how we can work together to develop good communities for children and young people,” says Anna Sandström Emmelin of the Unit for Research Support and Collaboration at Umeå University and node manager for Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Umeå Forum for Social Innovation Sweden .
Umeå University is part of the national knowledge platform Forum for Social Innovation Sweden. Together with a number of other universities, the institution aims to facilitate new solutions to societal challenges. Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Umeå University aims, among other things, to disseminate knowledge and create meeting places for various societal actors. The Social Innovation in the North conference is one of the meeting places organized by the forum.
Normally, the conference alternates between Västerbotten and Norrbotten, but this year featured remote speakers and online attendees who were able to ask questions live via a form.
“It’s really great that we were able to pull off this event digitally so successfully, offering the audience interesting speakers and inspiring examples that will hopefully spur further development of social innovation for children and young people,” says Martin Englund, one of the conference organizers.
It is important to give young people a voice
There were 140 registered participants from various sectors of society, and one of the conference’s goals is precisely to serve as a cross-sectoral meeting place. The day focused on how various actors in society can give children and young people a voice and allow them to influence various issues—from sustainability efforts to urban planning. The fact that adults often talk about children instead of with children seems to be a recurring problem.
Annika Egan Sjölander, associate professor of media and communication studies at Umeå University, was one of the speakers at the conference.
– It serves as a reminder that we adults are all too bad at seeing things from the perspective of children and young people.
She is one of three editors of the research anthology “Social Innovation to Address Social Issues and Global Sustainability Goals,” which is scheduled for publication in 2021. The book is intended to present Swedish research in an accessible way and to serve as a practical resource for those working in the field of social innovation.
Children Involved in Research
During the latter part of the conference, Malin Eriksson, a professor of social work at Umeå University, together with Linda Gustafsson from the City of Umeå, led a session on child poverty. Malin Eriksson has conducted a study on this topic and argues that even in the world of research, children are rarely given a voice.
“Children’s perspectives and voices are missing from much of the research conducted in these areas. But we conducted a qualitative research study in collaboration with the Swedish Arts Council and two middle-grade classes in the municipality of Umeå, where the children were able to participate,” she explains during the conference.
Photographs of positive environments are on display
She also explains that a total of 39 children from two different neighborhoods were each given a digital camera and tasked with photographing positive environments. The results show that there are socioeconomic disparities and a need to ensure that all children have access to health-promoting places, as well as to include children’s perspectives in the planning process. This project is currently on display in the exhibition Safe Places at the Västerbotten Museum.
Many children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
In addition to researchers, municipal representatives, and other community leaders, UNICEF Executive Director Pernilla Baralt also participated as the closing speaker at the conference.
“Creativity, participation, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are things I’m deeply passionate about. This conference, which combines social issues with innovation, is right up my alley,” said Pernilla Baralt as she began her speech.
Her speech was then followed by a discussion of how children around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic—especially those who lack access to the internet.
– 1.6 billion children are affected by school closures as a result of this, and one in five children does not have access to the internet. Children’s rights are part of human rights.
About Social Innovation in the North
Social Innovation in the North is organized in collaboration between Forum for Social Innovation Sweden Umeå University and Luleå University of Technology, as well as Coompanion and the municipalities of Umeå, Skellefteå, and Luleå. If you would like to view the conference recordings, you can still register at http://socialinnovationinorr.se/ to access the recorded sessions.