Child and Youth Wellbeing Research and Development Programme

Our Research and Development Programme Child and Youth Wellbeing is based on every child’s and young person’s right to a good life and growth. The program covers the life course from preparing for pregnancy, and pregnancy to young adulthood, and families with children. Wellbeing is approached as a systemic whole, where children, young people and families interact with their environments, and the relationship with nature is nurtured with respect for its carrying capacity.

We co-create research and development in partnership with children, young people, families, and professionals. Special attention is given to the concerns and needs of those in vulnerable situations or requiring special support, while enhancing inclusive design for all. Research and development priorities are identified through global challenges, in collaboration with international networks, from national and regional wellbeing practices, as well as from the daily lives of children, young people, and families.

We foster future agency to promote sustainable change for individual, holistic, and planetary wellbeing. Our ecosystems for research and development are scientifically robust, practically meaningful and future-oriented.

Research and development themes:

• Sustainable growth environments
• Family–professional collaboration
• Children’s and young people’s learning, participation and inclusion
• Resilient everyday functioning
• Future agency and the capacity of dreaming
• Social innovations and digital life
• Future-impactful RDI partnership
• Systemic and developmental evaluation

Operating guidelines for collaboration with children and young people

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is committed to promoting the wellbeing, safety, and participation of children and young people in all its RDI activities, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ethical principles.

Our guidelines for collaboration with children and young people ensure that in all our activities:

• the best interests of the child are a primary consideration,
• activities are ethically sustainable,
• the atmosphere is safe, non-discriminatory and respectful for every child and young person involved.

Metropolia follows international guidance and child safeguarding standards

Our Child protection guidelines