Every child deserves to live and grow in safety — and it’s the responsibility of adults to create those conditions.

The team of Voice of Romni recently took part in a certified three-day training program titled Creating a Safe Environment for Children: Safety Policies within Organizations. The training was organized by the Child Dignity Center at the Ukrainian Catholic University in cooperation with Kindernothilfe E.V. Over the past year and a half, nearly a hundred civil society organizations have completed this training — and we are proud to be among those contributing to this vital cause.

The program was a deep reflection on how we engage with children and how we shape internal rules and policies. Over the course of three days, we explored the concept of a child’s dignity as an inherent value, as well as complex issues such as violence, childhood trauma, and its consequences. Psychotherapist Yuliana Maslak emphasized the importance of having safe and trustworthy adults in every child’s life. Kristyna Shabat, head of the Child Dignity Center, spoke about what it means to be a child-friendly organization — one that upholds zero tolerance toward any form of violence.

The second day focused on safety policies as a practical tool for preventing violence. We learned how to assess the work of our organization: how and where we interact with children, what risks may arise, and how to minimize them. Together with Ivanka Rudakevych, project and program manager at the Center, we analyzed real-life cases, developed action plans, and discussed how safety policies can serve as effective protection mechanisms.

Our regional coordinator in Uzhhorod, Nataliya Chumak, shared her impressions:

“The training was extremely informative, and I gained invaluable knowledge. It will help us strengthen our own child protection policies and procedures. We already have new ideas that we plan to implement to make our children’s spaces even safer and more welcoming.”

Beyond the educational value, programs like this are also about building connections, exchanging experiences, and growing stronger together.

Importantly, after successfully completing the training, Voice of Romni representatives will be able to share their knowledge and conduct trainings for our entire team and the families who visit our child-friendly spaces.

We are sincerely grateful to the organizers for this opportunity. Creating a safe world for children is a responsibility we all share.