Contents
- An Overview of the 2026 Annual Meeting
- Agenda and Session Summaries for the Annual Meeting
- Day 1 → 9th June 2026
- Day 2 → 10th June 2026
- Day 3 → 11th June 2026
- Participant Pack for the 2026 Annual Meeting
- Read the Background Paper on Child Protection in a Resource-Constrained World
An Overview of the 2026 Annual Meeting
The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (the Alliance) is organising the 2026 Annual Meeting for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action on Zoom from the 9th to 11th of June 2026. This includes 3 days dedicated to the theme of the meeting, “Child Protection in a Resource-Constrained World: From Challenges in Financing to Innovative Solutions”.
At a time when humanitarian needs are escalating while resources are tightening and the global legal and normative framework for protecting children due to increasing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law is under strain, collective reflection and exchange are critical to sustaining and strengthening child protection outcomes. In response to these challenges, the 2026 Annual Meeting will provide a dedicated space to share evidence, practice, and innovation that can support more effective and resilient child protection responses. The meeting will retain its global focus, while centering realities and solutions emerging at national and sub-national levels.
Open Space Sessions: Shaped by You! This year, the Annual Meeting introduces a new feature: Open Space Sessions, taking place on the 10th of June. These sessions offer a space where you can propose and lead discussions on topics that matter most to you—from emerging challenges to practical solutions and lessons from your context. Designed to be informal and collaborative, Open Space sessions create room for deeper exchange, peer learning, and collective problem-solving. No advance preparation is needed—topics will be proposed during the session by you, and you can join the conversations most relevant to you.
The Annual Meeting will be conducted primarily in English, with simultaneous interpretation services available in Arabic, French, and Spanish. In addition, translated captions will be available for all sessions in a wider selection of languages to ensure accessibility for all participants.
Agenda and Session Summaries for the Annual Meeting
Day 1 → 9th June 2026
The first day of the Annual Meeting will begin with an opening session setting the stage for discussions on child protection in a resource-constrained world, bringing together diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector today. Participants will then engage in a strategic session exploring how more connected, child-centred ecosystems can strengthen collaboration and collective action across humanitarian settings. The programme will continue with a strategic discussion on child protection system strengthening in humanitarian action, before concluding with a Spanish-language thematic session focused on community-based and evidence-driven approaches to child protection adaptation in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
Session 1 → Opening Session | Setting the Scene: Shaping the Future of Child Protection Amid Financing Challenges
Session 2 → Strategic Session | From Silos to Synergy: Child-Centered Connected Ecosystems
Session 3 → Strategic Session | Child Protection System Strengthening in Humanitarian Action
Session 4 → Spanish Thematic Session | Adapting Under Pressure: Community-based and Evidence Driven Child Protection in LAC Region
Day 2 → 10th June 2026
The second day of the Annual Meeting will begin with thematic sessions exploring sustainable child protection approaches in resource-constrained settings, followed by discussions on preventing child recruitment and strengthening parenting support in humanitarian contexts. Participants will then engage in a French-language session on meaningful child and youth participation and accountability to children in humanitarian action. In the afternoon, participants will take part in the Annual Meeting’s Open Space sessions—an interactive format designed to foster peer learning, networking, and collaborative problem-solving around emerging priorities and shared challenges. The day will conclude with the Alliance Marketplace, providing participants with an opportunity to connect with the Alliance’s Working Groups, Task Forces, and Initiatives to learn more about their priorities, activities, and opportunities for engagement.
Session 5 → Thematic Session | Locally-led, Financially Smart: Sustainable Child Protection in Resource-Constrained Settings
Session 6 → Thematic Session | Families at the Centre: Preventing Child Recruitment and Advancing Parenting Support in Humanitarian Settings
Session 7 → French Thematic Session | Children as Agents of Protection: Meaningful Child and Youth Participation and Accountability to Children in Humanitarian Action
Open Space Sessions
This year, the Annual Meeting introduces a new feature: Open Space Sessions! These sessions offer a space where you can propose and lead discussions on topics that matter most to you—from emerging challenges to practical solutions and lessons from your context. Designed to be informal and collaborative, Open Space sessions create room for deeper exchange, peer learning, and collective problem-solving. No advance preparation is needed—topics will be proposed during the session by you, and you can join the conversations most relevant to you.
Session 8 → The Alliance Marketplace: Meet the Working Groups, Task Forces, and Initiatives
Day 3 → 11th June 2026
The final day of the Annual Meeting will begin with a thematic session on integrating, localising, and sustaining quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in humanitarian settings. Discussions will then turn to financing and localisation, with a session examining how resources are allocated and how community expertise can be better recognised and supported in child protection responses. The afternoon will feature a strategic session focused on reimagining child protection advocacy in a changing humanitarian landscape, followed by a thematic session exploring the impacts of funding cuts on child protection outcomes, systems adaptation, and frontline service delivery. The meeting will conclude with a closing session reflecting on key insights, shared learning, and collective priorities for advancing child protection in humanitarian action moving forward.
Session 9 → Thematic Session | Integrating, Localising, and Sustaining Quality MHPSS in Humanitarian Settings
Session 10 → Thematic Session | How Are Resources Allocated? Rethinking Financing and Community Expertise in Child Protection
Session 11 → Strategic Session | Reimagining Child Protection Advocacy in a Changing World
Session 12 → Thematic Session | From Systems to Households: Evidence and Recommendations on Funding Cuts, Child Protection Outcomes, and System Adaptation
Session 13 → Closing
Participant Pack for the 2026 Annual Meeting
This Participant Pack provides all the key information needed to prepare for and engage in the 2026 Annual Meeting for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. It brings together important messages, key materials to review in advance, guidance on respectful participation, and detailed joining instructions to support a smooth and meaningful experience
Available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic, the pack supports participants to fully engage in the meeting.
Read the Background Paper on Child Protection in a Resource-Constrained World
To give participants a deeper understanding of the meeting theme, we are pleased to share the Background Paper for the 2026 Annual Meeting.
This background paper provides key analysis and context to inform the 2026 Annual Meeting discussions. It outlines the current humanitarian landscape affecting child protection, including the funding crisis, erosion of international humanitarian and human rights law, humanitarian architecture reforms, and their impacts on programming and protective environments. Drawing on emerging evidence and field perspectives, the paper highlights both the risks to children and the adaptive strategies underway. Each section concludes with guiding questions to support reflection, exchange, and collective problem-solving during the meeting.
Access the Background Paper in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.
Credits:
© The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action