SMERU was established in 2001 as an independent institution for research and policy studies providing accurate and timely information and analysis on various socioeconomic and poverty issues considered most urgent and relevant for the people of Indonesia. It conducts research on poverty related issues towards improving public policies and their implementation, and supports inclusive public policy discourse on poverty and inequality reduction strategies. SMERU also aims at strengthening the role of civil society in the formulation and implementation of public policies.

Child issues continue to become the focus of governments, policy makers and the general public including in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Recently children's issues have been taken more into consideration because their well-being and rights are further threatened by the impact of the current global economic downturn. In addition, the need to understand the interface between law, policy and practice and their impacts on children, young people and their families has also become more pressing not only for the government policymakers but also for the international organizations and practitioners to formulate policies and identify action plan.

Policymakers have recognized the importance of valid and rigorous research and hence the impact of research on good policy practice and management- including with regards to children's rights and wellbeing. Better use of research-based evidence in planning and formulating child programs and policies especially in this decentralization era is expected to ensure better provision of, among others: child health services and health promotion including for those who are poor, excluded and with disadvantages; schooling and education opportunities for all children, as well as to safe guard child protection measures which can help save lives and improve the quality of life of children.

The purpose of conducting this conference is to address national and subnational issues that affect children and to give a higher profile and identity to issues faced by children in Indonesia. The conference also aims to discuss the impact of the current global economic crisis on children and other challenges faced by children irrespective of the recent crisis and to exchange research findings and evidence-based policy responses to provide better child-centred policies and solutions to meet the needs of this most important group in society.

Specific objectives of the Conference are to:

    * Gain insights from research and the main findings of existing studies on child- related issues in Indonesia on: health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, child protection, adolescent development, children and HIV/AIDs, children's participation, and emerging issues, both globally and Indonesia-specific
    * Gain insight on issues pertaining to children most at risk due to poverty and other factors, as well as to the differential impact of gender on children's lives.
    * Promote interdisciplinary understanding and collaboration in the design, methodologies in analysing child issues, conduct and dissemination of research to contribute to the production of new knowledge and policies concerning the lives and welfare of the children and young people.
    * Consider recommendations for strong public policies, legislations, programmes, practices and schemes for children with a rights-based approach, with particular reference to the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
    * Assist Indonesian researchers at all levels-scientists, professors, post-docs, and students who are seeking publishing opportunities for their research papers

Contributions are welcome on any topics related to the above issues, including the following indicative examples but not limited to:
    * Health (infant and child health, children's nutrition; global crisis and food price related impact on children's health, children vulnerable to HIV/AIDS)
    * Education (early childhood development, universal education, primary and secondary education; child labour and education; child development perspectives; children's education and social exclusion; teenage pregnancy and its effect on girls dropping out of or being expelled from school)
    * Water and sanitation (sanitation and children's quality of life; clean water/potable water; water and sanitation in schools)
    * Child protection (justice for children; children protection from violence, exploitation and abuse; child protection policies and a rights perspective; child trafficking; migration and child labour; girls domestic workers)
    * Children's participation (participation and children's rights, children's meaningful and ethical participation in research, protection for children participating in research)
    * Emerging issues (policy responses on child-sensitive budgeting; child poverty in global economic crisis; impact of climate change and the environment on children; link between child poverty and adolescent girls' early and forced marriage; adolescent girls' lack of voices in decision making; effect of single-female-headed household on children)

The conference organizers welcome contributions from researchers, scholars, practitioners, government officials, child rights advocates, and other institutions and professionals working in children's issues from Indonesian and international organizations.

Participants of the conference are researchers, practitioners, representatives from government, national and international organizations, NGOs, CSOs, and interested agencies.

Requirements:
    * Papers should have a maximum length of 15-20 pages in A4 paper, single spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt font.
    * Abstract (100-150 words)
    * Filled in Proposal Submission Form (see: Attachment) to be sent along with the submitted paper.
    * Papers in Bahasa or English
    * Papers should be sent via email as Word attachment to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
      An email acknowledging receipt of the paper will be sent within 72 hours of submission.

Full papers and abstracts must be submitted for peer review by October 1, 2010. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered unless an extension has been granted previously by the committee chairs. Where employer or government authorization is needed, the author should obtain such authorization prior to submitting the final manuscript, when chosen for publication.

Each paper should be based on sound analysis of empirical evidence/research findings, and should include policy recommendations. All papers will be peer-reviewed by a committee. The best final papers will be presented by their authors during the conference.

The best final paper(s) will be published in a special edition of the SMERU newsletter. UNICEF also has the possibility to have the winning paper to be published in an international research publication.

Schedule:
Papers accepted until October 1, 2010
Announcement of selected papers: October 20, 2010
Presentation of selected papers : November 15, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION and to submit proposal, please contact Mukti Mulyana at Ph: +62-21-3193 6336/Fax: +62-21-3193 0850, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please fill in the attached Proposal Submission Form.