Representatives of organisations that practice family group conferencing gathered for our annual meeting in Drongen, Belgium, from 15 to 18 April. This year, our hosts from Eigen Kraft BE welcomed more than 60 people from across Europe. In the halls of the Old Abbey, we presented updates from the various countries. The discussions in the Open Space sessions were particularly interesting and intense. The topics included a variety of issues - FGCs for older adults; the Lifelong Links program for young people leaving institutions; support for caregivers; the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI); World Day of Informal Networks; rituals and venues; training for coordinators; mandatory or voluntary participation; how to talk to children and youth about the conference; maintaining the dinamics; working with parent groups—a new practice in Norway; and others.

Paul Nixon, an independent social worker and internationally recognized leader in the field of restorative practices, gave an interesting lecture. And during the break, we sang a Bulgarian folk song suggested by our Belgian facilitator. Sharing, happy and sad stories, laughter, memories, and conversations lasting into the early hours of the morning filled our days in Drongen.