"Advocates translate complex systems into a language that children understand and thus enable them to feel in control of their own lives," Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina emphasised at the expert consultation on child advocacy, which took place in Portorož on 8 and 9 November 2024. He added that with the support of advocates, the child often feels safe and heard for the first time, which is invaluable for their future life. In a virtual address, he thanked the advocates for their dedication and expertise

He pointed out that the institution of the Ombudsman in the field of advocacy is recording an increased number of referrals this year, even from areas where there were none in the past. Promotional events for centres for social work and judges contributed to this. It is also noticeable that more and more referrals are coming directly from young people themselves, which shows the greater visibility of the institute and trust in the work of advocates. The Ombudsman emphasised the importance of continuous education and networking of advocates. "The cases you encounter are becoming more and more challenging, so it is crucial that you have access to professional support and techniques to help you build safe and supportive relationships with children," he said.

This year's expert consultation was dedicated to building a safe relationship between the advocate and the child, which is the foundation of successful advocacy. Ombudsman Svetina stressed that establishing such relationships requires a lot of knowledge, compassion, and patience, as well as inner strength. He expressed the hope that more individuals who care about the best interests of children will join the ranks of advocates in the future. "Your mission is invaluable and represents the foundation for empowering children in procedures where their best interests are decided," he said.