Last November, Being and Grand Challenges Canada participated in the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia. Together with our incredible partners—The Early Childhood Development Action Network, United for Global Mental Health, and UNICEF —we explored practical, impactful ways to address early adversity among young people .
Central to this effort was a panel session titled “Scaling Innovative Solutions for Children and Adolescent Mental Health.” This session brought together innovators who shared bold solutions to address the impact of early adversity in Colombia. Panelists highlighted the transformative potential of innovations that harness science to design and scale interventions, focusing on reducing violence and promoting mental health among children and young people. Discussions emphasized the importance of community-centered approaches, evidence-based practices, and youth co-creation in developing and scaling these solutions.
The event emphasized one key theme: children and young people must be at the heart of programs and policies to co-create meaningful change.
Key Takeaways from the Innovator Panel
Sireesha Bobbili, Program Manager, and Laura Rocoski, Program Associate at Grand Challenges Canada, shared their reflections and insights from the panel discussions:
- Evidence-based practice is necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of innovations and facilitate scaling to reach more communities.
- Youth must be involved in co-creating relevant and sustainable solutions to ensure they meet the needs of young people.
- Community-centered innovations are crucial to generating buy-in and trust and facilitating their integration into daily life. When communities are prioritized and included in decisions, they stay engaged and feel more ownership.
- Intersectoral cooperation between the private sector, governments and NGOs must be ongoing and flexible to strengthen mental health efforts and prevent violence among young people
Reflections from Youth Moderator, Daniela Moreno Farfán
Daniela Moreno Farfán, former researcher at the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, member of UNESCO´s SDG4 Youth Network and youth panelist at the Conference recaps her experience and key takeaways:
- Participating in the panel was an invaluable opportunity to share and learn from cutting-edge research on early adversity and brain development, shedding light on the urgent need to address root causes of violence against children. It was inspiring to explore how innovations leverage critical windows in brain development to build resilience and improve mental health outcomes across the lifespan while highlighting the importance of integrating services across platforms, engaging public-private partnerships, and prioritizing neglected communities to create sustainable, impactful solutions that address adversity and its long-term consequences.
- Additionally, the conference conveyed a powerful message: effectively addressing mental health requires shifting focus from only reactive measures to proactive prevention; an ongoing process that thrives on dialogue, adaptability, and scalable solutions, ensuring accessibility and raising awareness about the critical importance of mental well-being. Therefore, it demands strategies rooted in both evidence and local context, tailored to the cultural, behavioral, and socio-economic dynamics of each setting.
“As a youth representative, I urge you to continue reflecting on several key takeaways that were presented in this panel, particularly the crucial importance of involving youth in decision-making and fostering an active role, moving from being mere subjects of programs to becoming active contributors in shaping solutions. Hence, practical approaches that empower us as advocates in our own communities are essential and must genuinely consider our experiences and needs, bridging the gap between policymakers and the realities we face.
My experience at the conference enabled me to understand that addressing mental health requires localized and holistic solutions that remain flexible to effectively meet diverse needs, as wellbeing is a multidimensional matter. For that reason, building long-term capacity by investing in training local leaders, educators, and caregivers ensures the enduring impact of mental health interventions; and by embracing these principles, we can create a world where every young person has the tools and support to overcome adversity, fostering resilience and unlocking their full potential.” – Daniela Moreno Farfán
Hear some of Daniela’s remarks at the conference below!
The panel session featured contributions from:
- Daniela Moreno Farfán, Youth Representative, UNESCO
- Maria Adelaida Lopez, Executive Director, aeioTU
- Nicole Bruskewitz, Director of Education and Programs, Coschool
- Camila Andrea Castellanos Roncancio, Program Coordinator, Fundación Saldarriaga Concha
