Olga Kosse at the “Generation of Hope” conference: on supporting children in frontline regions

The Head of the Board of NGO “Responsible Citizens,” Olga Kosse, took part in the “Generation of Hope: a future that is already growing” conference dedicated to the launch of the Gen.Hope Center of Leading Practices in child and adolescent mental health.

The event brought together experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss the contemporary challenges of childhood during the war and the approaches that truly help children recover.

During the panel discussion, Olha Kosse shared our organization’s experience working in frontline regions: “Every day we see that supporting children is not about a single service or one-time intervention. It is about trust, stability, and an environment where a child can once again feel in control of their own life. Where prolonged stress has become the norm, it is essential to work with the entire family, helping them restore their internal resources and their capacity to move forward,” she noted.

Particular attention was given to the impact of occupation, deportation, and ambiguous loss on children’s psycho-emotional state, as well as evidence-based support methods that help mitigate the effects of traumatic experiences.

Participation in such professional platforms creates space for reflection and co-creating solutions. Collaboration between humanitarian organizations, research institutions, and mental health specialists makes it possible to build more precise, contextual, and effective support programs. This is not about formal partnership but about coordinated efforts that reinforce each other where children most need protection and reliable adults by their side.

We are glad to be part of a community working to ensure that children, even in the most challenging circumstances, have space to grow and recover.