FICE International Participation at the 2026 World Child & Youth Care Conference

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | 24–26 June 2026

Introduction

The conference brought together 586 participants, primarily from Canada but also from at least a dozen countries around the world, including representatives from every continent, as well as academics, practitioners, students, researchers, government representatives and leaders of organisations committed to improving the lives of children, young people and families.

The conference was exceptionally well organised as part of the Canadian national child and youth care conference tradition, hosted under the umbrella of the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations (CCCYCA) by the Child and Youth Care Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (CYCA NL).  Full credit to the CYCA NL for creating an amazing gathering. In 2013, and this year, CYC-Net was a cohost with FICE Canada welcomed as a co-host for this year's conference. Throughout the week, participants experienced outstanding hospitality, excellent conference facilities, carefully curated academic and practice-based presentations, exhibitions, book displays and numerous opportunities for networking and collaboration. The organising team ensured an atmosphere that was both highly professional and genuinely welcoming.

Beyond the conference programme, delegates experienced the rich cultural and natural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador (often abbreviated in Canada as NL). Visits to the historic Signal Hill, where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless communication, highlighted the province's place in global history. Vittoria Vitaloni and Gianni Fulvi from CNCM Italy were pleased to acknowledge Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) and his historic connection with Newfoundland and Labrador. Many delegates also explored Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America, learned about Newfoundland's distinctive Irish heritage, participated in Indigenous welcoming experiences that deepened understanding of First Nations and Inuit history and culture, and enjoyed unforgettable boat excursions to observe humpback whales and puffins in their natural environment. These experiences provided valuable opportunities for fellowship and relationship building alongside the professional programme.

For FICE International, the conference represented much more than participation. Through its members, presentations and partnerships, FICE contributed a distinctly international perspective, bringing together experiences from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America. This international contribution added an important global dimension to an already outstanding conference.

FICE International Delegation

FICE International was represented by colleagues from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, reflecting the diversity and international reach of the organisation.

The delegation included:

• Professor James Anglin – President, FICE Canada

• Dr. Heather Modlin and FICE Canada Executive members Pennie Sibbald (VP), Larisa Hanssenk (Secretary General) & Dr. Shemine Gulamhusein (Treasurer). 

• Patrick Reason – Secretary General, FICE International, Brazil

• Dr. Kiran Modi – Udayan Care, India

• Coenraad de Beer – SOS Children's Villages International, Austria

• Gianni Fulvi – CNCM / FICE Italy

• Vittoria Vitaloni – CNCM / FICE Italy

• Dr. Zeni Thumbadoo – NACCW / FICE South Africa

• Jody Rhodes – representing Janet Wakefield / FICE USA

• Solomiia Kamad – representing Marianna Bilyk / UEP Ukraine

We also acknowledge with regret that visa delays prevented Donald Nghonyama (NACCW South Africa), Dr. Simon Peter (Make Me Smile Kenya), and the wider South African delegation supported by Kim Samuel through The Belonging Forum from participating in person as originally planned. The South African delegation’s visas remain pending, and once received, the delegation is expected to be welcomed to St. John’s for a Study Trip. Their intended contributions nevertheless formed an important part of the international programme.

FICE Canada National Section Meeting

Prior to the official opening of the conference, FICE Canada convened a special Summit at the AMAL Youth and Family Centre on June 22. This gathering of pan-Canadian practitioners, academics and agency leaders, supplemented by the new Child Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as 3 NL government representatives, and 10 international invitees was an outcome of the FICE Canada strategic planning process in 2023. The intention is for FICE Canada to be active in developing partnerships across Canada to provide an integrated CYC planning forum and to set priorities and implement work groups to achieve key objectives. The intent is to report progress back to the next national conference gathering in Canmore, Alberta in October, 2028.

Hosted by Professor James Anglin and opened by Dr Kiaras Gharabaghi, the Summit featured the sharing of key issues posted on stickies by individual attendees, followed by panels and group discussions. Participants reflected on the decentralised nature of child and youth care in Canada, where individual provinces exercise considerable autonomy in policy and practice. While this creates diversity and innovation, it also highlights the importance of national dialogue and collaboration. Within this context, FICE Canada has an important opportunity to foster relationships between practitioners, organisations and academic institutions across provincial boundaries. FICE Canada’s significant role in strengthening relational child and youth care practice in Canada, and the world was acknowledged. This is alongside other countries such as South Africa. Participants were informed that the Canadian practice, experiences, and learnings continue to enrich global relational child and youth care developments.

The meeting also introduced the FICE International Quality Statement to Canadian colleagues, encouraging discussion about its relevance within the Canadian context and reinforcing the relationship between FICE Canada and the wider international network.

Opening of the Conference

On behalf of FICE International President, Dr. Anna Schmid, Professor James Anglin welcomed delegates at the opening session (proudly wearing a splendid Ukrainian shirt gifted to him by Marianna Bilyk and delivered by Solomiia Kamad) and played a central role in hosting and chairing the conference throughout the week.

One of the highlights of the opening day was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Heather Modlin of FICE Canada, titled: Connecting, deflecting or projecting: The complexities of relational engagement. Drawing upon extensive practice experience, Heather delivered an inspiring and deeply relational presentation that captured the essence of Child and Youth Care practice. Her keynote reminded participants that effective care is fundamentally grounded in authentic relationships, everyday interactions and a deep understanding of children and young people's lived experiences.

Her presentation set an inspiring tone for the conference and reflected many of the values promoted by FICE International through its commitment to relationship-based care. It also provided excellent visibility for FICE Canada, showcasing the depth of Canadian practice to an international audience.

Recognition of Professor James Anglin

One of the defining moments of the conference was the presentation of the CCCYCA Visionary Award to Professor James Anglin in recognition of his extraordinary lifetime contribution to the development of Child and Youth Care.

The award recognised Professor Anglin's decades of leadership in research, education, practice development and international collaboration. For members of FICE International, it was a particularly meaningful occasion. His longstanding commitment to improving the quality of care for children and young people continues to influence practitioners, researchers and organisations throughout the world.

FICE International warmly congratulates Professor Anglin on this well-deserved honour and expresses its gratitude for his continued leadership as President of FICE Canada and as one of the most respected voices within the international Child and Youth Care community.

FICE International Panel: Understanding Child and Youth Work Across Cultures and Contexts

Chaired by Professor James Anglin, the first FICE International panel explored how quality child and youth care is understood and implemented across diverse cultural, political and social contexts.

The panel brought together contributions from Dr. Kiran Modi (India), Jody Rhodes (United States), Gianni Fulvi (Italy) and Solomiia Kamad (Ukraine). FICE South Africa was originally expected to be represented by Donald Nghonyama; however, he was unable to present because the South African delegation did not receive their visas in time.

A central theme throughout the discussion was the practical application of the FICE International Quality Statement within different national contexts.

Dr. Kiran Modi described India's extensive work in family strengthening, through the lens of prevention and family reintegration, emphasising that discussions about quality care must move beyond the false dichotomy of foster care versus residential care. She highlighted the importance of developing a continuum of care approach, capable of responding to India's scale and diversity

Jody Rhodes reflected on current developments in the United States and the importance of ensuring that ideological debates do not undermine the quality of care provided to children and young people.

Gianni Fulvi described the extensive work undertaken across Italy and the contribution that the FICE International Quality Statement has made to national discussions on quality and practice development.

Representing Ukraine, Solomiia Kamad spoke movingly about maintaining quality care during armed conflict and explained how Ukraine's continuing deinstitutionalisation process has also strengthened national attention to quality care.

Together, the presentations demonstrated that although contexts differ significantly across countries, the principles underpinning quality child and youth care remain remarkably consistent.

FICE International Panel: Building Partnerships Across International Organizations Concerned with Children and Youth

The second FICE International panel focused on strengthening partnerships between organisations committed to improving the lives of children and young people.

Hosted by Professor James Anglin, the panel included Heather Modlin (FICE Canada), Patrick Reason (FICE International/Brazil), Coenraad de Beer (SOS Children's Villages International), Vittoria Vitaloni (CNCM Italy) and Kari Sisson, Executive Director of the Association of Children's Residential and Community Services (ACRC). Simon Peter (Make Me Smile Kenya) was unfortunately unable to attend because of visa restrictions.

Coenraad de Beer described the strategic evolution taking place within SOS Children's Villages International, including organisational changes and an increasing emphasis on relational care. He also highlighted the importance of engaging with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (2030) as well as the Children’s Care Reform initiative led by the United Kingdon, encouraging greater collaboration between international organisations working with children and young people.

Vittoria Vitaloni presented the Italian and International experience of partnership and collaboration across organisations, demonstrating how working together strengthens advocacy and service development.

Zeni Thumbadoo presented the South African experience, focusing on the diversified settings in which child and youth care workers are deployed. She highlighted the strategic value of this approach, explaining how it opens up diversified government funding opportunities and enables services to reach more children across a wider range of specialised settings.

Patrick Reason reflected on experiences from Brazil, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships between civil society organisations, academia and government. Drawing upon the concept of co-belligerence, he suggested that organisations with different identities can work together around shared objectives, thereby strengthening advocacy, legitimacy and long-term impact.

Kari Sisson introduced the work of ACRC and expressed considerable enthusiasm for developing closer collaboration with FICE International. The discussion identified exciting opportunities for future cooperation across North America and internationally through conferences, professional exchanges and collaborative learning.

The panel concluded with an encouraging presentation by Heather Modlin about strengthening partnerships between international organisations and reaffirmed that collaborative working is essential for improving the lives of children and young people worldwide.

Visibility of FICE International

Throughout the conference, FICE International maintained a strong presence through its presentations, informal networking and dissemination of organisational resources.

Copies of the FICE International Quality Statement together with institutional information leaflets were distributed to delegates throughout the conference, generating considerable interest and creating opportunities for dialogue with practitioners, researchers, universities and organisations from many countries.

The conference also strengthened relationships with longstanding partners while creating new opportunities for collaboration in research, education, workforce development, advocacy and international exchange.

Looking Forward

The 2026 World Child & Youth Care Conference demonstrated not only the strength of Child and Youth Care as a profession, but also the growing role of FICE International as a global platform for dialogue, partnership and the promotion of quality care.

The conference identified a number of exciting opportunities for future collaboration, including:

• strengthening the relationship between FICE International, ACRC and CYC-NET;

• supporting the continued development of FICE Canada as a National Section;

• strengthening partnerships and Membership with SOS Children's Villages International, NACCW South Africa, CNCM Italy, Udayan Care India, UEP Ukraine and ACRC;

• exploring collaborative workforce education and training with Canadian universities;

• continuing the international dissemination of the FICE International Quality Statement.

Through the relationships strengthened in St. John's and the new collaborations initiated during the conference, FICE International looks forward to continuing to connect people, organisations and ideas in pursuit of better lives for children and young people throughout the world.

FICE International extends its sincere appreciation to the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations (CCCYCA), the Child and Youth Care Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (CYCANL), CYC-Net, FICE Canada, the organising committee, volunteers and all participants for creating such a welcoming, stimulating and professionally enriching conference. FICE International also thanks AMAL Youth and Family Centre for hosting the FICE Canada Summit and for contributing to the warmth and success of the week.