1st EuroWARCHILD Workshop
The EuroWARCHILD team organised an academic and policy workshop, held on April 10-11, 2025, in Oslo, which brought together an esteemed group of scholars, researchers, and policy experts to engage in vital discussions about the experiences and needs of children born of war in Europe. Part of the European Research Council (ERC)-funded EuroWARCHILD project, this interdisciplinary workshop focused on three specific generations of children: those fathered by enemy soldiers during World War II, children conceived through conflict-related sexual violence in the Balkans, and those born to European foreign fighters involved with ISIS/Daesh.
The event opened with a compelling keynote address that highlighted the intersections of persecution, reproductive violence, and the experiences of children born of war. This was followed by a series of panels that dove deep into key themes, including:
The silencing of children born of war and their journeys towards recognition and rights.
The construction of identity in post-conflict settings and the challenges faced by affected children.
The role of intergenerational memory and youth mobilization in advocacy and empowerment.
Research ethics and the considerations necessary when studying vulnerable populations.
Security narratives related to risk perceptions and the portrayal of children born of war in contemporary discourse.
Legal and socio-legal frameworks impacting the rights and protections of these children.
Policy responses to the complex realities faced by children born of war, particularly in current conflict situations.
The workshop concluded with a panel of policy experts discussing strategies for effective policy responses, emphasizing the urgent needs of children affected by war and the importance of advocacy efforts.
An impactful closing session aimed to distill key insights into a policy brief, capturing the recommendations derived from rich discussions throughout the workshop. Overall, the EuroWARCHILD workshop not only enhanced academic discourse but also aimed to influence policy responses for vulnerable children born of war, fostering a collective commitment to advocacy and recognition.
Thank you to all participants for making this workshop a success!