Lumos

"Vlad, who volunteers at a free centre for children with disabilities and developmental difficulties run by NGO Lumos Foundation, stressed 'how important it is to intervene early in child development, because the earlier we react, the more chances we give to the child to develop harmoniously … a child's difficulties, however great they may be, can be overcome or, at least, minimized'." https://lnkd.in/eG9pKKRb

Vlad, Lumos Child Advocate, joined us on day two of the UN’s 2025 Annual Day on the Rights of the Child event in Geneva. At the age of 13, he sat before hundreds of states, international organisations and civil societies to deliver his second incredible speech of the week. His advocacy for early childhood intervention services in support of his peers is a true inspiration. ?? Watch his full speech before the UN below. ??: Marie Bambi

Vlad is just 13 years old, yet yesterday, he delivered a powerful 4-minute speech before delegates at a UN side event on why supporting children at an early age matters.

It's day 2 for the Lumos team at the UN’s 2025 Annual Day on the Rights of the Child event in Geneva! This morning, Vlad, a 13-year-old youth advocate with Lumos has joined us to meet with Philip Jaffé, and Volker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights to discuss the importance of early intervention in childhood.

It's an absolute privilege to be in Geneva this week with Vlad, an amazing child advocate who has been running consultations with very young children with disabilities. Today was our first event of the week, and Vlad opened a Side Event we as Lumos co-organised with Hope and Homes for Children on Early Childhood Development and Human Rights. Vlad shared the story of one particular child he's been working with who - had he been born 15 years ago - would almost certainly have been placed in a residential institution. Happily, that's not the case: he lives and thrives with his family, receiving high-quality ECD services in his community and attending an inclusive kindergarten. Vlad says his big smile and laughter are contagious. We can't wait for the rest of this week's engagements! ?

"It is possible to intervene and support the development of a child, and through that, prevent his institutionalisation. Each child counts, action is relevant, each moment can make the difference. Let’s not wait for better times, for more resources, but act now, when children need more support, especially in the first year of life. I think we can do this together. Do you think the same?" - Vlad, Lumos Child Advocate, 2025 Annual Day on the Rights of the Child side event 'Early Childhood Development and Human Rights’.

"If we invest as many resources, efforts, people, knowledge, but also as much empathy and generosity in working with children, surely, many years from now, if these children are asked like you - what is the earliest childhood memory? - they would perhaps say: 'when I was able to take my first step on my own'; 'when we used to sing together with my classmates in kindergarten', or 'when I had the feeding tube removed'. It is for these moments and memories that we must work together and remember that we children are always ready to give the necessary support to cheer on our peers, but also to adults." - Vlad, Lumos Child Advocate, 2025 Annual Day on the Rights of the Child side event 'Early Childhood Development and Human Rights’.

Lumos is LIVE in Geneva at the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child conference side event ‘Early Childhood Development and Human Rights’. With us is Vlad, a young person we have worked alongside, where he is speaking to the importance of investing in early childhood intervention programmes, especially for children at risk of family separation, including children with disabilities and families impacted by poverty. https://lnkd.in/eXwiXVTf

We only need to listen to children to hear their call for a safe and loving family. Alina shared her story in 2015 as a part of the Zero Project in Vienna, and her testimony echoes in our mission to see more children experience the care of a family so they may thrive.

?? Don't Miss Out! Join us this Thursday, 13 March 2025 at the 58th Human Rights Council for a crucial conversation on ending violence against children. “Ensuring Accountability and Action: Sustaining Momentum on Ending Violence Against Children” ?? 13:00 – 14:00 CET ?? Palais des Nations, Room XXV (Geneva) ?? Register here for live-streaming ?? https://lnkd.in/eb3fuMJv Violence against children remains a global crisis. Following the Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children (Bogotá, Nov 2024), this session will focus on turning commitments into real accountability and action. What’s in store? ?? Insights from the Bogotá Conference ?? Strengthening accountability through Human Rights mechanisms ?? Best practices from governments, civil society, and key stakeholders ?? Advocacy strategies to drive lasting change This event is organized by the Child Rights Connect Working Group on Children and Violence, in collaboration with: Arigatou International | Lumos | Plan International | Terre des hommes foundation | UN SRSG on Violence Against Children | World Health Organization | World Vision ?? Be part of the movement. Be part of the change. See you there! #ENDviolence #childrights #HRC58