100th Quality of Childhood (QoC) – Rethinking Childhood Well-being Through a Systemic and Intergenerational Lens

The Alliance for Childhood European Network Group will host “100th Quality of Childhood (QoC) – Rethinking Childhood Well-being Through a Systemic and Intergenerational Lens” on 29 September in Brussels.

A whole-child perspective recognises that every child possesses unique potential that emerges through the interaction of personal experiences, relationships, and social environments. Their well-being is shaped not only by what happens within them but also by the family, educational, community, and digital contexts they inhabit. Supporting children therefore involves nurturing both the individual and the systems that surround them.

This event explores how a systemic perspective on childhood can guide more coherent, equitable, and future oriented policies and practices. By bringing together experts, practitioners, and decision-makers, we aim to highlight how schools, institutions, and communities can work together to create environments where every child can flourish.

A central focus will be the systematic reform of school ecosystems, giving particular attention to well-being in school and digital well-being. Schools are not only places of learning – they are relational spaces where children develop their sense of identity, safety,
belonging, and agency. Integrating well-being into the culture, curriculum, and governance of schools requires coordinated action: from strengthening social and emotional education, to supporting teachers, to ensuring that digital environments are safe, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate.