Tunisia is set to host the International SOS Children's Villages meeting from September 26-29, 2026, in the city of Hammamet. The event, themed "Every child has the right to a home," will bring together representatives from 28 SOS Children's Villages associations from various continents. The meeting aims to discuss issues related to childhood and the future of work in protecting children and supporting families.
The meeting will also be attended by members of the International Council of the International Federation of SOS Children's Villages, which comprises over 130 countries. This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first time the council will hold a meeting outside of Vienna since the federation's establishment in 1949. The gathering is a testament to Tunisia's successful experience in childcare and its model of integrating efforts between the SOS Children's Villages association and state institutions.
The Tunisian SOS Children's Villages association highlighted the importance of this international event, citing the value of its content, the quality of attendees, and the presence of international council members. The association currently provides care to over 12,000 children and young people in Tunisia. The International Federation of SOS Children's Villages, on the other hand, provides care to nearly 8 million children, young people, and adults worldwide, with 6.5 million of them in Africa.
The meeting will feature general sessions, discussions, and specialized workshops, allowing participants to share experiences and best practices. The event also includes a session dedicated to the experience of young people and students, with international delegations meeting with students from SOS Children's Villages clubs in Tunisia. This provides an opportunity for young people to learn from each other's experiences and explore ways to implement similar initiatives in their countries.
On the second day of the meeting, a gathering of SOS Children's Villages associations from West, Central, and North Africa (WCNA) will take place, with the participation of association presidents, national directors, and international council members. The meeting will focus on discussing cooperation opportunities between national associations and the international council, as well as sharing experiences and challenges.
The four-day event will include specialized workshops on topics such as volunteering, resource development, marketing, communication, program development, advocacy, and digital transformation. These sessions aim to provide a platform for participants to exchange experiences and turn shared knowledge into best practices and practical solutions that serve the future of work for childhood.
The Tunisian SOS Children's Villages association emphasized the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing in developing care and protection models. The association's efforts, along with those of the International Federation of SOS Children's Villages, aim to ensure that every child has a right to a home and a supportive family environment.
Key points
- Tunisia hosts International SOS Children's Villages meeting from September 26-29, 2026, with 28 associations participating.
- The event aims to discuss issues related to childhood and the future of work in protecting children and supporting families.
- The meeting provides a platform for participants to share experiences and best practices in childcare and protection.
