Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

Children in a World of Challenges: Building Pathways to Resilience was a week-long series of interactive workshops and events in spring 2023 designed to facilitate dialogue around pressing issues affecting children globally.

The world currently has the biggest child and youth population in history, with 90% living in less developed countries and disproportionately affected by poverty, poor health, unemployment, violence, and exclusion. Children are facing increased poverty, entrenched inequality, and other pressing concerns, including climate change, conflict, displacement, social injustice, and political instability. They bear the brunt of these difficulties in their daily lives and will inevitably inherit all of the problem-solving these challenges require.

In spring 2023, the Children in a World of Challenges Workshop Series focused on building pathways to resilience for vulnerable children and youth. The series included 12 events over five days, bringing together 30 presenters and 13 university partners. Co-sponsored by the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues; Walsh School of Foreign Service; Center for Child and Human Development; Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service; Global Human Development Program; Global Health Institute; and Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University, the series of workshops took place from February 26 to March 2 and featured a keynote performance with songs and stories of former child soldier and internationally renowned recording artist Emmanuel Jal on the evening of March 1.  

The workshop series was open to the Georgetown University community, as well as the general public.