From October 6 to 17, 2025, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) hosted the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Children’s Rights in Action: Exploring Legal and Policy Frameworks”, dedicated to examining the legal and policy dimensions of children’s rights protection.

The programme was coordinated by Prof. Dr. Violeta Vasiliauskienė from the MRU Public Security Academy, in cooperation with partner institutions: Hogeschool Inholland (Netherlands), European University Viadrina (Germany), Riga Technical University (Latvia), and Ludovika University of Public Service (Hungary).

Participants included students from the Netherlands, Germany, Latvia, Hungary, and Lithuania, representing study fields such as law, social and behavioural sciences. The BIP combined a virtual learning week (October 6–10) on MS Teams and a contact week (October 13–17) at MRU in Vilnius.

During the online week, students attended lectures on the international and European frameworks for children’s rights, safeguards in criminal proceedings, protection from forced labour, and cultural dimensions of child rights. The contact week featured interactive lectures, workshops, and group research sessions, as well as institutional visits – participants visited the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (Parliament) and the Children and Youth Social Centre in Nemenčinė, where they learned about social care, volunteer initiatives, and family support programmes.

Student groups worked on key thematic areas, including protection of children from violence and forced labour, the rights of migrant and disabled children, and children’s participation in decision-making. During the final presentations, students compared legal systems from their home countries, identified challenges, and proposed examples of good practices.

The programme also included a cultural component, with visits to Vilnius Old Town and Trakai, as well as joint dinners and community-building activities.

“Children’s Rights in Action” was an excellent example of international academic cooperation and inclusive education, offering students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of child rights, strengthen interdisciplinary connections, and develop intercultural communication skills.