Earlier this year, the 11th International Consultation of Child Helplines (IC 2025) brought together over 300 participants from around the globe in Livingstone, Zambia, for three days of learning, collaboration and shared commitment to children’s rights. Delegates explored themes such as online safety, mental health support, inclusive services, and the meaningful participation of children and young people. The meeting concluded with the announcement of the Livingstone Declaration, a prestigious statement by our child helpline members of their commitments towards strengthening and expanding child helpline services globally, and their calls for action by governments and policymakers, international organizations and donors, civil society and community leaders, and the technology and telecommunications sectors, to support child helplines and scale up efforts to eliminate harmful practices against children.
Important features of any International Consultation are the Regional Spaces, sessions set aside for our child helpline members in each of our five working regions to come together as a group to share and discuss news and events, opportunities and challenges, and other important issues and developments faced by the individual child helplines or across the region as a whole.
For Europe, this year’s Regional Space was even more special. Piji Protopsaltis, from our Greek member The Smile of the Child took over as Regional Representative for Europe on 1 April 2025, and was joined by Therese Garmstedt from our Swedish member, BRIS, as the new Deputy Regional Representative on 6 May 2025. Therefore, not only did they have a relatively short time to familiarize themselves with their new roles and responsibilities in the Child Helpline International network, they also had just over a month to prepare and deliver the Regional Space session to their European colleagues in Livingstone.
We caught up with both of them to reflect on their experiences, and to hear about their hopes for the future of child helplines, in Europe and beyond.
Piji Protopsaltis – Regional Representative, Europe
The Smile of the Child, Greece
What was your role at IC 2025?
“As the European Regional Representative, I joined the Supervisory Board meeting on the eve of the IC, and led the Europe Regional Space meeting on Day 3. We had 18 European member child helplines sharing best practices, concerns, and their views on the Livingstone Declaration. As the brand new Regional Representative, I was really aware of having a much greater sense of responsibility — representing the region, leading forward, and understanding the Network’s priorities. Having Therese by my side was invaluable.
I also presented a best practice from The Smile of the Child during a panel on child helpline partnerships in the digital age. I highlighted our ‘Technology Team for Children’ — high-level staff from major tech companies who volunteer their expertise to develop tech solutions for children. Their work has led to tools like mobile apps, our Cybertipline Hellas, and tracking services.”
What was your favourite moment?
“I loved it all — from the panels and meetings to the colours, music and dancing. Zambia was a fantastic place to be, and our hosts at Lifeline/Childline Zambia did a remarkable job, together with the CHI team, to deliver a fantastic IC. When we did finally manage to get some “down time”, however, the visit to the Victoria Falls and close encounters with wild animals were unforgettable!”
What was your biggest takeaway from the event?
“The striking differences in challenges faced by the African region, alongside our shared passions and goals. The sense of solidarity among child helplines worldwide reinforced the importance of ongoing interaction and exchange.”
What are your hopes for the future?
“More collaboration, more shared tools and practices, greater understanding, stronger government support, and genuine engagement of children and youth.”
Therese Garmstedt – Deputy Regional Representative, Europe
BRIS, Sweden
What was your role at IC 2025?
“As a new DRR, I focused on meeting fellow European members and supporting Piji in the Regional Space. I’ve been to an IC before – in 2022, which BRIS hosted in Stockholm! – but this time, I felt even more responsibility towards networking and connecting with European child helplines, so that I can support them effectively moving forward.
On Day Zero – yes, we were hard at work even before the IC ‘properly’ started – I presented BRIS’s AI development for our peer forum — specifically, how we’re testing AI to support moderation.”
What was your favourite moment?
“The children’s presentation of their declaration, during the Opening Ceremony on Day 1. It was powerful and important for everyone to hear — and hopefully act upon.”
What was your biggest takeaway?
“Learning more about the realities for children in African countries, where up to half the population is under 18. Despite different contexts, children everywhere share many of the same concerns, which makes exchanging ideas and solutions so vital.”
And what are your hopes for the future?
“More opportunities to exchange knowledge and develop services to better support children, plus stronger government commitment to child helplines.”
For both Piji and Therese, IC 2025 was more than just an event — it was the start of a new chapter of leadership, collaboration, and shared vision for Europe’s child helplines. Their experiences highlight the value of bringing diverse perspectives together, learning from one another, and working collectively to ensure that every child, everywhere, can access the support they need.