“HUMAN” European Conference on the Rights of the Child in the age of AI

In an auditorium packed with more than 200 students, young people, representatives of agencies and professionals from 8 European nations, “The Smile of the Child,” in the context of the completion of 30 years of action and the Organisation’s European Student Volunteer Network YouSmile, organised the European Conference on the Rights of the Child in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

The Conference was organised on the occasion of the International Day for the Rights of the Child (November 20th), under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports and of the Ministry of Health and took place at Novotel Athens.

The topics that were addressed came from groups of children and teenagers from all around Europe and were: Bullying, Family relationships and models, Internet Safety and the challenge of AI, Violence against children, Racism and Hate Speech, and the Rights of the Child in School.

The Conference aimed to highlight the children’s genuine and unmediated views and opinions on the issues that concern them, without the intervention or guidance of adults, as they themselves have highlighted them as important, and for professionals with expertise and experience in the field to take positions on these issues, and finally to come up with proposals which will be made available to the relevant institutional bodies in Greece and in Europe so that they can formulate strategies and make decisions aimed at meaningfully supporting and promoting the rights of children.

Opening Remarks were delivered by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dimitris Vartzopoulos.

In his introductory speech, Mr Panagiotis Anastasiadis, Professor of Lifelong and Distance Learning using ICT at the Department of Primary Education of the University of Crete, did a simulation of his communication with RAX, a robot with artificial intelligence. Through this live presentation, both the extremely beneficial role that artificial intelligence can play in education and in a multitude of other sectors were highlighted, as well as the negative impacts that it can have when used incorrectly.

Along with the children, who had undertaken the entire presentation of the Conference as well as the moderation of the panels, were prominent scientists who answered their questions, listened to their views and contributed to everyone’s understanding of all the topics that were discussed. More specifically, the following individuals took part in the Conference:

• Georgia Angelopoulou, Psychologist at “The Smile of the Child”
• Panagiotis Anastasiadis, Professor of Lifelong and Distance Learning using ICT at the Department of Primary Education of the University of Crete
• Theodoros Giovazolias, Professor of Psychological Counselling, Psychology Department, University of Crete
• Ioanna Gkika, Psychologist, MSc at “The Smile of the Child”
• Foteini Kokkori, Juvenile Prosecutor, Piraeus
• Konstantina Kolokytha, Social Worker, MSc Counselling, “The Smile of the Child”
• Theoni Koufonikolakou, Assistant Ombudsman for Children’s Rights

• Korinna Pertsinidou, M.SC., Coordinator of School Programs and Networks, Directorate of Secondary Education for Eastern Attica
• Theodora Skali, Member of the Faculty of Psychology, Medical School of the University of Athens – 1st Psychiatric Clinic, Aiginiteio Hospital
• Stavroula Spyropoulou, Psychologist, MSc at “The Smile of the Child”
• Ioanna Hardaloupa, Psychologist, MSc at “The Smile of the Child”
• Alexandra Psomathianou, Psychologist, MSc at “The Smile of the Child”
• Sofia Leitao, Principal Development Manager, Rinova Málaga S.L., Spain
• Lina Marsic, Expert Advisor, Human Rights Ombudsman, Slovenia
• Margarida Rendeiro, Centre for the Humanities, NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal
• Kyriakoula Georgiou, Professor, Pedagogical Institute of Cyprus,
• Vivian Welker, Director of the Department for International Cooperation, Folkuniversitetet, Sweden
• Renato Midiri, City Councillor, Rome’s XXII Municipality, Italy

Indicative positions: In a nationwide survey conducted with the participation of 50,000 students, 10,000 teachers and 13,000 parents and guardians, 17.3% of children declared that they were victims of bullying. The effects of Bullying on mental health are extremely significant, the most important being anxiety and depression, not only in child victims but also in child “perpetrators.” The role of observers is crucial, as research has shown that when observers intervene, in 75% of cases, the incident stops within the first 10 seconds.  Theodoros Giovazolias, Professor of Psychological Counselling, Psychology Department, University of Crete

We must cultivate thinking, but also responsibility. Before we act, we must visualise our goal; only in this way will we achieve it. Theodora Skali, Member of the Faculty of Psychology, Medical School of the University of Athens – 1st Psychiatric Clinic, Aiginiteio Hospital

Limits for children should be the result of mutual agreement between parents and children. There are three important pillars: Dialogue, Consistency and Children’s participation in setting the rules. Konstantina Kolokytha, Social Worker, MSc Counselling, “The Smile of the Child”

Artificial intelligence is a tool that is always available and immediate, but it does not cover human relationships. Information on mental health issues can be dangerous and misleading. We do not demonise artificial intelligence, but we must introduce children to healthy digital behaviours. Alexandra Psomathianou, Psychologist, MSc at “The Smile of the Child”

Artificial intelligence in the future will be mainly about companionship, interpersonal relationships. Artificial intelligence has no emotions, yet we humans develop feelings towards it; it becomes our friend, our companion, and that is dangerous.  Panagiotis Anastasiadis, Professor of Lifelong and Distance Learning using ICT at the Department of Primary Education of the University of Crete

Removing a child from an abusive family environment is traumatic. A specialist, a Psychologist or Social Worker, should be the reference person, the person who will be by the child’s side every step of the way, every moment, from the child’s removal to his/her rehabilitation. Foteini Kokkori, Juvenile Prosecutor, Piraeus

Our obligations, as defined by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, are not being met. We want a school that listens to children and is accountable to them. Theoni Koufonikolakou, Assistant Ombudsman for Children’s Rights.

The Conference took place in the context of the project entitled “Digital Hat Interrupter Activism to combat structural racism promoting inter-community cooperation through digital technologies”, with the acronym “HUMAN.” The project consortium includes organisations from 8 other European Union countries, which are: “The Smile of the Child” from Greece, RINOVA Malaga from Spain, Folkuniversitetet from Sweden, the Center for Social Innovation from Cyprus, the Universidade Nova of Lisbon and the DYPALL Network from Portugal, ZRS Koper from Slovenia, MuLab from Italy and the European Antibullying Network based in Belgium.

The HUMAN project (GA 101144478) is co-funded by the European Union’s Citizens, Equality and Values program (CERV 2021–2027). The content of this publication represents only the views of the author and is his sole responsibility. The European Commission accepts no responsibility for the use of the information contained therein.

Watch the conference here: https://youtube.com/live/QPTtysxBtFI?feature=share 

See photos from the Conference qui.