Family Minister Dolores Cristina yesterday opened a two-day Eurochild conference which will be discussing the prevention of child and youth social exclusion in Europe. The three main points to be emphasised will be children’s participation, timely interventions on safety and education, and the support necessary for families and parents.

Workshops are analysing these points with the participation of children, young people and those working in the sector.

The conference, being held at St Julian's, is being attended by over 150 participants from the UK, Estonia, Finland, Holland, Austria and Malta.

Eurochild is an international association which promotes the rights of children and young people at a European and national level.