How to Hear the Voice of the Child? Disputes involving children require particular sensitivity, professionalism, and an understanding of the best interests of the child. During this panel, we will discuss international standards in the field of child-related mediation, modern approaches to working with parental conflicts, and practical experiences from different countries. Special attention will be given to the role of mediation in reducing conflict and supporting children in difficult family situations.
This session will be of interest to mediators, lawyers, judges, psychologists, social workers, educators, and everyone working with children and families.
Moderator:Polina Klykova, Children’s rights advocate with an interdisciplinary background in social work and law. Head of the NGO Article 3.
Speakers:
Magdalena Janczuk, Co-CEO of MiKK e.V. – International Mediation Centre for Family Conflict and Child Abduction, mediator and cross-border family mediator.Mercedes Iglesias Plaza, Advice Line Officer and Project Assistant at MiKK, translator and interpreter (Spanish/German/English), certified Cross-Border Family Mediator (CBFM).Jill Goldson, Mediator, Researcher, and Author, internationally recognised expert in child-inclusive mediation and advancing children's participation in family dispute resolution.Maria da Conceição Oliveira, Lawyer, Mediator.Lisa Parkinson, one of the pioneers of family mediation in the United Kingdom, Co-founder of the first Family Mediation Centre in the UK, and Vice-President of the Family Mediators Association.Larysa Hretchenko, Attorney, Mediator, Chair of the Family Law Committee of the Ukrainian National Bar Association.

How can we learn to speak and truly hear one another, even in difficult times? This eventis dedicated peacebuilding tools, the development of communication skills, conflict transformation, and building a culture of dialogue among young people. Participants will explore practical approaches that help build trust, mutual understanding, and resilience within society.
This session will be of interest to young people, students, educators, trainers, youth organizations, mediators, and everyone working in non-formal education and youth development.
Moderator:Valentyna Duka, Non-formal Education Trainer for Youth, Youth Worker, Project Coordinator.
Speaker:Laura Alčiauskaitė, Professional Psychologist and Experienced Youth Trainer Specializing in Human Rights Education, Social Inclusion, and Peacebuilding

An interactive event for children and young people focused on communication, mindfulness, and caring for the world around us. Through simple and engaging concepts, participants will explore how listening, cooperation, and understanding can help not only people, but also the planet. The event will combine themes of ecology, emotional intelligence, and the culture of dialogue.
This session will be of interest to children, teenagers, parents, educators, mediators, and everyone working with children’s and youth initiatives.
Speakers:Olha Kulinich, Head of the Intellectual Property Academy Department at UANIPIO, Doctor of Law, Associate Professor, Attorney, Mediator.Mariia Bychkovska, PhD, Attorney-at-Law, Cooperation Coordinator at the WIPO Academy.

A modern mediator is not only a profession, but also trust, reputation, and a way of communicating with the world. During this event, we will discuss how mediators can find their own style, shape their professional identity, and build a personal brand without losing authenticity. We will also explore the role of social media, public communication, and professional visibility.
This session will be of interest to mediators, trainers, lawyers, students, communication specialists, and everyone developing their own professional practice.
Speakers:Andrii Salamatov, Co-owner of the 4Press Creative Agency and GreenDuck Business Intelligence, Business Development Director, Out-of-the-box Thinking Trainer, Psychotherapist.Kateryna Vershynina, CEO and Founder of Green Duck Research Agency, Specialist at the intersection of Learning Design, Customer Education, and Customer Experience.

A warm and creative event dedicated to children’s vision of kindness, understanding, and peace. During the event, the winners of the international children’s drawing contest “Ocean of Understanding and Kindness” will be announced, and artworks from participants across Ukraine and different parts of the world will be presented. A special part of the event will be the presentation of a song about mediation.
This session will be of interest to children, parents, educators, mediators, forum partners, and everyone who believes in the power of creativity and mediation.
Competition Jury Members:Volodymyr Kravchuk, Judge of the Supreme Court, Author of the All-Ukrainian Legal Education Initiative "Spravedlyvtsi".Anastasiia Dudko, PhD, Police Captain, Chief Inspector of the Service Organization Department of the Educational Security Service Directorate of the National Police of Ukraine, Lecturer at the Department of Administrative and Legal Disciplines of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law and Psychology of the National Academy of Internal Affairs.Nataliia Munika, Head of the Audit Department of the Southern Interregional Directorate of the State Tax Service for Work with Large Taxpayers.Kateryna Vershynina, CEO and Founder of Green Duck Research Agency, Specialist at the intersection of Learning Design, Customer Education, and Customer Experience.Serhii Bozhko, Contemporary Ukrainian Artist, Head of the "Shtrykh" Drawing and Painting Studio, Curator of Art Projects, Lecturer.Olena Fomina, Art Director at the 4Press Creative Agency, Graphic Designer, Lecturer, Researcher, Managing Partner of the 4Press Creative Agency and GreenDuck Research Agency.Kseniia Fursova, Co-founder and CMO of 1DEA.me/CARTONIC, Entrepreneur, Co-founder of the CARTONIC 3D Puzzle Brand.

Mediation is usually explained through definitions, principles, and procedures. Yet sometimes creativity can convey its true essence far better than professional terminology.During this special session, we will explore how music, art, and creativity can help tell the story of mediation in a simple and accessible way.The event will feature the presentation of an original song about mediation, followed by a conversation with its author. The creator of the Forum’s promotional video will also share the story behind its production.During the session, the launch of the All-Ukrainian Creative Competition "Mediation Through the Language of Creativity", dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Law of Ukraine "On Mediation", will be officially announced.We invite everyone who believes that art can not only inspire but also help people better understand one another.
Participants:Anastaiya Dotsenko, Media designer and public activistSerge Polsky, Founder of the PolskyBand Music Project, DJ, Musician, Software Engineer, Volunteer.

People in helping professions often support others while overlooking their own exhaustion. During this panel, we will discuss emotional overload, the fatigue that comes from constant caregiving, and the importance of restoring one’s inner resources. This will be a space for an honest conversation about balance, boundaries, and self-care in professions that involve working daily with human pain and conflict.
This session will be of interest to mediators, psychologists, lawyers, social workers, volunteers, educators, veterans, and all representatives of helping professions.
Speaker:Dr. Lori Leyden, Global Expert in Trauma Healing and Humanitarian Leadership; Mentor in Resilience, Trust, and Transformational Presence