We are all born and live in families. Every family is unique with its own culture, personalities, individual dynamics and history. Every family goes through difficulties and problems every now and then. There are difficult situations related with children, youth, parents, older people in the family which might be sorted out easily with the support of relatives and friends. There are also cases when some help from health specialists, educational institutions, social services or other agencies could be necessary.
The Family group conference is a way to find out solutions to various problems when children, parents, members of the extended family, friends come together to make a plan. It is based on an old traditional and easy to understand concept – the power of the family circle. The family conference provides an opportunity chance for the family to get together, mobilize its own strengths and resources and to make the best possible plan to overcome the problems of a child or another member of the family. The members of the family take the decisions and the responsibilities. The professional do not decide – they provide the necessary information, support and services.
Tulip Foundation laid the fundament for the application of the method Family Group conference in Bulgaria in 2011 with the Trust in the Family Programme with partnership of Eigen Kracht Centrale. Tulip Foundation is an active member of the EU FGC network.
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.
