First International Scientific Conference on Children and Youth:
Rights, Challenges and Solutions

The Voices of Children, Youth and the Future They Deserve

University of Sulaimani & Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC)

About the Conference

University of Sulaimani and Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC) is proud to host the First International Scientific Conference on Children and Youth. Over two days, academics, practitioners, policymakers, civil society organizations and international partners will come together to examine the challenges facing children and youth in Iraq and beyond.

Why You Should Join Us: The conference is designed to stimulate innovative thinking and meaningful debate. Through research presentations, interactive panels and expert-led sessions, participants will explore issues related to children's rights, education, health, protection and socio-economic development. The discussions will help bridge academic research with practical, real-world solutions.

Key Information: The conference will be held under the patronage of the First Lady of Iraq, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, and organized under the supervision of:

  • Prof. Dr. Kosar Mohammed Ali – President of the University of Sulaimani
  • Ms. Sara Latif Rashid – President of Kurdistan Save the Children

Conference Themes

Child Protection & Child Labor
Education & Inclusion
Child Health & Well-Being
Legal & Social Frameworks
Migration & Mobility
Youth Empowerment & Employment
Digital Safety & Media
Environment & Climate Change
Substance Use & Behavioral Health

Conference Schedule

All day – Arrival in Slemani (airport / hotel transfer)

Evening – Gala Dinner (venue TBD)

8:30 – Registration

9:30 – Opening ceremony and keynote addresses (Main Hall)

10:30 – First conference session (Main Hall)

11:30 – Second conference session (Main Hall)

12:30 – Lunch break

14:00 – Third conference session x 2 (parallel)

15:00 – Fourth conference session x 2 (parallel)

16:00 – Tea Break

16:30 – Fifth conference session (Main Hall)

18:00 – Special Session with VIP Speaker (Main Hall)

19:00 – REST / HOTEL

19:30 – Dinner

9:30 – First conference session (Main Hall)

10:30 – Second conference session (Main Hall)

11:30 – Third conference session x 2 (parallel)

12:30 – Lunch break

13:30 – Fourth conference session x 2 (parallel)

14:30 – Fifth conference session (Main Hall)

15:30 – Closing remarks / Presentation of 3 Policy Recommendation Papers – Education, Health, Youth & Child Protection (Main Hall)

16:30 – Visit to Amna Suraka Museum

17:30 – Reception / Cultural Museum

Call for Submissions & Deadlines

Research abstracts

Deadline for the submission of research abstracts: 27 August 2026
Feedback on all summaries will be provided within 5 days.
Full paper deadline: 13 September 2026
Notification of research acceptance or rejection: 30 September 2026

Panel sessions

Submit panel proposals to: [email protected]

Submission Guidelines

All accepted papers will be published in a special edition of the Sulaimani Journal for Humanities (peer-reviewed, Kurdish/Arabic/English/Persian).

  • Manuscripts must be fluent, grammatically correct, original (not previously published).
  • Adhere to rigorous scientific standards, avoid plagiarism.
  • If derived from thesis, clearly state thesis title.
  • Kurdish/Arabic: Unicode NotoNashkh Arabic; English: Times New Roman 12pt.
  • Harvard referencing style.
  • Include title & abstract in both research language and English (≤250 words), ≥5 keywords.
  • Sections: introduction (problem, question, purpose, significance), theoretical/practical analysis, conclusions, recommendations, references.
  • Attach data collection instruments if used.
  • Max 12,500 words. Margins: top/bottom/left 2.5 cm, right 3 cm.
  • Submit Word & PDF to: [email protected] and [email protected]

Kurdistan Save the Children covers publication fees.

Our Esteemed Speakers

Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed
Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed

Former First Lady of the Republic of Iraq

Prominent humanitarian and cultural advocate. Founded Kurdistan Children's Fund (KCF) and co-founded Kurdsat Broadcasting. Her work bridges humanitarian, cultural and artistic endeavors.

Dr. Kosar Mohammad Ali
Dr. Kosar Mohammad Ali

President, University of Sulaimani

Prominent Iraqi respiratory physician and academic. Professor in the College of Medicine, FRCP qualified, former Dean of the School of Medicine. Leading higher education in Kurdistan.

Sara Rashid
Sara Rashid

President, Kurdistan Save the Children

Global health and post-conflict advocate. Leads child protection, healthcare, education and humanitarian response for vulnerable children in Iraq and beyond. Bridges local action with international partnerships.

Contacts

Scientific Committee Chair

Prof. Dr. Aso Faiq Salih
+964 770 147 4701
[email protected]

Preparatory Committee Chair

Shler Sardar Ramzi
+964 770 155 0453
[email protected]

Email submissions: [email protected] / [email protected]

Important Preparation Tips

Manuscripts must be written in fluent language, free of grammatical errors. Use Unicode/NotoNashkh Arabic for Kurdish/Arabic, Times New Roman 12 for English. Margins: top/bottom/left 2.5 cm, right 3 cm. Harvard style.

Submissions must be original, not previously published. If derived from diploma/master/doctoral thesis, clearly state thesis title.

Title + abstract (≤250 words) in both languages, ≥5 keywords. Introduction (problem, question, hypothesis, purpose, significance), theoretical/practical analysis, conclusions, recommendations, references. Max 12,500 words.

Submit Word and PDF to [email protected] and [email protected]. Publication fees covered by Kurdistan Save the Children.

Contact & Venue

For more information, reach the committee chairs:

Prof. Dr. Aso Faiq Salih

+964 770 147 4701 / [email protected]

Shler Sardar Ramzi

+964 770 155 0453 / [email protected]

Conference venue

University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (details to be announced)

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