Public Engagement Event - Intersecting inequalities in child welfare
As part of a collaboration seed fund between the University of Groningen and the University of Hamburg, we invite you to a public engagement event on intersecting inequalities in child welfare.
The programme brings together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and care-experienced youth to reflect on child welfare practices and priorities. Recent debates in the Dutch Tweede Kamer highlight serious challenges, including staff shortages, high caseloads, long waiting lists, and children and families not being properly heard. These issues are intensified by welfare inequalities, as low-income families, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQIA+ youth face disproportionate interventions and poorer outcomes. Topics include decision-making disparities, stigma, gender and sexual identity, structural harms, and organisational responses.
The project is led by our fellow Prof. Mónica López López (UG) and Prof. Stefan Köngeter (University of Hamburg).
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required by 26 January 2026.
Programme
09:30–10:00
Registration
10:00–10:30
Opening session
Project leaders: Mónica López López (University of Groningen) and Stefan Köngeter (University of Hamburg)
10:30–11:00
Intersecting inequalities and decision-making in child protection
Floor Middel (University of Groningen)
11:00–11:20
Coffee break
11:20–12:00
Intersectional policy analysis and the stigma of system-involved youth
Larissa Oomen and Gabriela Martinez Jothar (University of Groningen)
12:00–12:30
Queer and in care: Reducing inequalities relating to gender and sexual identity among adolescents in care
Mónica López López and Mijntje ten Brummelaar (University of Groningen)
12:30–13:30
Lunch break (not provided)
13:30–14:00
Structural harm and the Dutch childcare benefits scandal: Implications for children and families
Peter Dijkshoorn
14:00–14:30
Diversity, inclusion and belonging in child and youth welfare
Stefan Köngeter and Moritz Frietzsche (University of Hamburg)
14:30–15:00
Migrant and Muslim communities: Organisational responses to welfare inequality
Inga Selent (University of Hamburg)
15:00–15:30
Voices of care-experienced people
15:30–16:00
Interactive session: Collective reflections and action