2024 NATIONAL LAW

UNIVERSITY ODISHA

th
9 CONFERENCE OF THE
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR
CHILD INDICATORS

“GLOBAL CHILDHOODS: CRITICAL

PERSPECTIVES PROMOTING THEORETICAL,
EMPIRICAL AND POLICY UNDERSTANDINGS”

14 - 16 FEBRUARY 2024
BHUBANESWAR-INDIA

www.isci2024.nluo.ac.in
 ABOUT NLUO

The National Law University Odisha (NLUO) was established in 2009 by Act IV of 2008 of the
State of Odisha. The University is located in the city of Cuttack, where the seat of Orissa High
Court is also situated. The Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court is the Chancellor of the
University and the Chief Justice of India, or their nominee from among the Supreme Court
Judges, is the Visitor of the University. The University is recognised under Section 12(b) of the
UGC Act 1956 and has been accredited with an ‘A’ grade by National Assessment and
Accreditation Council (NAAC). The University has been consistently placed high by different
ranking and accreditation agencies, both public and private.

The University offers five-year integrated B.A.LL.B. (Hons.)/B.B.A.LL.B (Hons.) degree

programme at the undergraduate level, Master of Laws (LL.M.) and PhD program at the
postgraduate level. Within this short span, NLUO has made its mark as a university engaged in
quality teaching and research in law. The liberal yet demanding academic culture coupled with
the friendly environment has ensured that students can harness their full potential and
contribute to the area of their choice. National Law University Odisha alumni are spread across
the globe in top-tier law firms, blue chip companies, judicial offices, courts, academia and think
tanks.

For more information, visit www.nluo.ac.in

 ABOUT ISCI
The International Society for Child Indicators (ISCI) is an international organisation that is home
to researchers, data users, child advocates, and policymakers. It has made considerable
advances in developing and using indicators to measure the well-being of children and
adolescents.

The ISCI Inaugural Conference on “Child Indicators: Diverse Approaches to a Shared Goal”
(June 2007) dealt with several themes such as the theory and conceptual framework of child
indicators, development of policy using child indicators and children’s involvement in
measurement and implementation of indicators. Since then, ISCI has organised 8 Biennial
International Conferences exploring the use of child indicators to improve the well-being of
children in a globalised world and to assess children’s subjective well-being from an
international perspective. On average, hundreds of delegates consisting of academics,
researchers, data analysts, child advocates, and policymakers from 35-47 countries across the
globe have attended these conferences and have shared best practices in their countries and
regions for improving the wellbeing of children. The research and experiences presented from
the grassroots have broken many myths about adult thinking regarding children’s awareness of
their environment and have provided centre-stage to the voice of the child. The 8th ISCI
International Conference on “Children’s Rights and Opportunities in an Unequal World:
Research, Policy and Intervention” (May 2022) offered a critical perspective on public and social
policies and promotion of equality of well-being for all children and how children dealt with the
COVID-19 pandemic in different parts of the world.

In 2024, ISCI is going to hold its 9th International Conference for the second time in Asia.

To know more about ISCI, visit www.isci-haruv.org/iscis-conferences/

 2024 NATIONAL LAW
UNIVERSITY ODISHA

th
9 CONFERENCE OF THE
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR
CHILD INDICATORS

“GLOBAL CHILDHOODS: CRITICAL

PERSPECTIVES PROMOTING THEORETICAL,
EMPIRICAL AND POLICY UNDERSTANDINGS”

CONCEPT NOTE
AND THEMES
14 - 16 FEBRUARY 2024
BHUBANESWAR-INDIA

www.isci2024.nluo.ac.in
 TH
9 ISCI INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
National Law University Odisha is proud and privileged to be the host of the 9th ISCI
Conference on the theme of “Global Childhoods: Critical Perspectives Promoting
Theoretical, Empirical and Policy Understandings” on 14-16 February 2024 in
Bhubaneswar, India. In organising this conference National Law University has the
support of Prof. Ravinder Barn from Royal Holloway, University of London, England and
Prof. Damanjit Sandhu from Punjabi University, Patiala, India.

The 9th ISCI International Conference will focus on three aspects. Firstly, there will be
critical analyses of whether government policies and programs have succeeded in
promoting the wellbeing of children. Secondly, there will be an assessment of the rate of
progress in Odisha, India and other countries in terms of the SDG goals to be achieved
by 2030. Thirdly, there will be deliberations on changes in policies and programs for
better results by incorporating the voices of children in consonance with the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognising the Right of Participation of
children relating to decisions affecting them. In most countries, this right exists mostly
on paper and children are rarely involved in any law, policy decision, scheme, etc.
affecting them.

The 9th International Conference of ISCI being held in Asia will provide an added
platform for the voices of children in the Asian region. Children are not merely future
citizens of a country. The contemporaneous presence of children is as important as their
future potential as adults.

For more information, Click Here

 CONCEPT NOTE
The Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25th September 2015
titled as “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
provides a plan of action consisting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
for people, planet and prosperity with the aim to strengthen universal peace.
Amongst several areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet, the SDGs
focus on children’s welfare and well-being. In their broader scope, the following
SDGs address children-related issues, aiming to: end poverty in all its forms
everywhere (Goal 1); end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and
promote sustainable agriculture (Goal 2); ensure healthy lives and promote well-
being for all at all ages (Goal 3); ensure inclusive and equitable quality education
and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (Goal 4); achieve gender equality
and empower all women and girls (Goal 5); ensure availability and sustainable
management of water and sanitation for all (Goal 6); promote sustained, inclusive
and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent
work for all (Goal 8); make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient
and sustainable (Goal 11); and promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels (Goal 16).
More specifically, the SDGs address issues such as reduction of poverty amongst
children, ensuring food security, ending malnutrition and serving other nutritional
needs of children and adolescent girls. Health-related concerns of children such as
reduction of the global maternal mortality ratio and neonatal mortality rate, ending
preventable deaths of newborns and infants and promoting mental health and well-
being etc. are also addressed in the targets of SDGs. Besides, the SDGs aim to ensure
inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all by facilitating access to primary and secondary education which
is free, equitable and qualitative. The SDGs also highlight the importance of
educational facilities which are sensitive to the needs of children and individuals with
disabilities and from a different gender providing safe, non-violent, inclusive and
effective learning environments for all.

Additionally, the SDGs also emphasise the elimination of harmful practices such as
child marriage, female genital mutilation, child labour and recruitment of child
soldiers. Furthermore, SDGs call for ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all
forms of violence against children. SDGs also mandate universal access to safe,
inclusive, accessible, green and public spaces for children and access to adequate,
safe and affordable housing for all.
 THEMES
1. Essence of Childhoods
Sub Themes
Universalism of Values vis-à-vis Cultural Relativism
Childhoods in Countries with Varying Economic Status
Socio-Cultural Understandings of Childhoods
Legal Understandings of Childhoods
Psychological Understandings of Childhoods
Gendered Childhoods
Childhoods in Marginalised Communities

2. Children’s Wellbeing and Happiness

Sub Themes
From Children’s Welfare to Children’s Wellbeing
Understanding Wellbeing and Happiness
Wellbeing Indicators: Children vis-à-vis Adults
Happiness Indicators: Children vis-à-vis Adults
Role of Child Rights in Promoting Wellbeing and Happiness
Best Practices for Promoting Children’s Wellbeing and Happiness
Role of Child Indicators Research in Influencing Public Policy
Methodologies for Understanding Children’s Wellbeing and
Happiness
3. Health of Children
Sub Themes
Health Indicators for Children
Children’s Experience With Healthcare Services
Access to Healthcare Facilities: Public vis-à-vis Private
Schemes, Policies and Programs Affecting Children’s Health
Cultural Practices Affecting Children’s Health (Circumcision, Female
Genital Mutilation etc.)
Growing Up in a Technological Environment
Health of Children in Difficult Circumstances;
▪ Substance Abuse
▪ Domestic Violence
▪ Sexual Exploitation/Violence/Abuse
▪ Spatial Constraints
▪ Child Labour
▪ Children With Disabilities
▪ Being a Girl Child
▪ Mental Health Issues
▪ Children in Institutional Care

4. Children's Education
Sub Themes
What Children want to learn?
Sites of Learning: Homes, Neighbourhood, Schools, Child Care
Institutions, Popular Culture
How do Children want to learn?
Schemes and Initiatives for Children’s Education
Alternative Education for Children
Education in Natural Disasters
Accessibility to Education
Inclusivity in Education
5. Food and Child Wellbeing
Sub Themes
Access to Food
Addressing Malnutrition
Child Targeted Advertising: Marketing of Junk Food
Breast Milk Substitutes
Nutrition in Child Care Institutions

6. Children's Freedom of Choice

Sum Themes
Evolving capacities and Children’s Opinion- Addressing Malnutrition
Balancing Children’s Privacy and Parental control
Sexual Autonomy
Child Marriage
Manipulating Children’s Choice: The Effect of Tobacco Advertising

7. Basic Rights for Children’s Happiness and Wellbeing

Sub Themes
Right to Survival
Right to Family
Right to Identity
Right to Development
Right to Protection
Right to Participation
Children in Difficult Circumstances
Harmonising the Basic Rights
Children and Environmental Harm
8. Children's Access to Justice
Sub Themes
Understanding Children’s Access to Justice
Child Advocacy
Children’s Voices in the Institutional Decision-Making
Legal Aid for Children
Support System in Legal Proceedings
 2024 NATIONAL LAW
UNIVERSITY ODISHA

th
9 CONFERENCE OF THE
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR
CHILD INDICATORS

“GLOBAL CHILDHOODS: CRITICAL

PERSPECTIVES PROMOTING THEORETICAL,
EMPIRICAL AND POLICY UNDERSTANDINGS”

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
AND DEADLINES

14 - 16 FEBRUARY 2024
BHUBANESWAR-INDIA

www.isci2024.nluo.ac.in
 ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
GUIDELINES
Abstracts for paper presentation and posters at the conference are invited on the topics related to
the conference themes and sub-themes.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
Papers are invited from academicians, researchers, policymakers, child advocates, data collectors
and others working in the field of child wellbeing. Abstracts for the papers are to be submitted by
July 14, 2023. Guidelines for submission of abstracts are listed below. Contributors are expected to
adhere to them strictly.
1. The Abstract must be written only in English. The word limit for abstract is 250-600 words.
2. Submissions must be made only through the abstract Submission Portal mentioned in the
Website.
3. All submissions should be original. If you intend to have your paper considered for publication,
on the conference site or special issue, please make sure that your submission is not
simultaneously considered by any other publication.
4. Every abstract must be accompanied by a cover page containing the name, affiliation and
contact details of the author (s). In case of co-authorship, these details must be mentioned in
the order of publication. The cover page should also contain details of the indicated theme and
sub-theme. The aforementioned information must be provided ONLY on the cover page and
must not appear elsewhere in the submission document.
5. Submissions of up to 2 (two) abstracts per registration as the first author will be allowed, with
no limitation on co-authorship. An author whether as first author or as co-author can make a
maximum of two presentations.
6. Some abstracts may be accepted for poster presentation rather than paper presentation. If the
author(s) agree for poster presentation they may register for the conference.
7. Abstracts must be submitted in a uniform format comprising of the following components:
a. Thematic importance: the abstract should briefly discuss the relevance of the submission
with the theme of conference.
b. Introduction and objectives: the abstract should throw light on the central issue, objective(s)
sought to be achieved , research questions and / or hypothesis.
c. Method: the abstract must provide an explanation to the study design, description of the
participants and sampling methods, procedures for data collection/ measures, and
analytical and / or statistical approach.
d. Results: the abstract should summarise findings.
e. Conclusion and a Way Forward: the abstract must describe the outcomes of the study, the
practice and policy implications and include suggestions for future research.
8. The spelling and grammar must be carefully checked, as we all the specific nomenclature must
be respected. The reviewers will evaluate the abstract on the following parameters.
a. General coherence.
b. Relevance.
c. Methodology.
d. Presentation of results.
e. Adequate conclusion.
 PANEL PROPOSAL
GUIDELINES
Proposals for Panels at the conference are invited on the topics related to the conference
themes and sub-themes.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PANEL PROPOSALS
Proposals for Panels may have up to 4 panellists in addition to chair. Panel proposals
must include the following:
1. Thematic importance-The panel should be on the themes mentioned above or related
topics. The proposal should clearly mention the importance of the theme of the Panel to
this conference.
2. Abstract – Panel submissions should contain a brief abstract (150-250 words) of each
submission therein, along with an overall description ( not more than 750 words) of the
topic of submissions. This is excluding information about the panellists.
3. Perspectives of the Panellists – The proposal should mention the position of the panellists
on the topic.
4. Possibility of Discussion- The possible issues in the topic that can generate interesting
debates and discussions from diverse perspectives.
5. Moderator- Questions that moderator will use to get the discussion going.
6. Necessary Information- Panel proposals should include the name, affiliation, contact
information and brief bio of the chair and the panellists.
The reviewers will evaluate the panel proposals on the following parameters:
1. Relevance for the conference
2. The possibility of debate and discussion on the topics
3. Background of the Panellists
4. Different perspectives of the Panellists
 FINAL SUBMISSION AND
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING THE PAPERS AND PRESENTATION
1. The paper must be original and free from plagiarism.
2. It should be in English.
3. The length of the full paper, including tables, diagrams, illustrations, references, etc. should be
between 8000 to 10000 words.
4. It should be submitted only through the submission portal.
5. It should be accompanied by a cover page containing the name of the author(s), affiliation and
contact details. Such details should not be written elsewhere.
6. It should also contain details of the indicative theme or sub-theme of the Conference.
7. The paper should be in (.doc) or (.docx) format.
8. Font should be Times New Roman 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing.
9. Footnotes shall be in Times New Roman 10-point font with single-line spacing.
10. All citations should be placed in footnotes (and not endnotes) and shall conform to the APA
style 7th Edition, 2022.
11. Authors will get about 10 minutes to present their paper. Any number of authors can present
the paper in the conference within the same duration.

These guidelines apply also to the papers submitted as part of the panels.

The authors will also be apprised of the results through e-mail. The annals of the Conference will be
online and will be published on the event website. Each work will be entitled to 1 (one) certificate,
including the name of all authors.
 SUBMISSION AND
REGISTRATION
1. Abstracts and panel proposal submissions must be made in pdf format only on or before
[14/07/2023]. The Submission Portal for uploading them is Here
2. Communication of acceptance of abstract will be made by [30/07/2023].
3. At least one of the authors of papers and poster presentations who receive the acceptance has
to register as per the Registration Guidelines.
4. In case of more than one author of a paper, author(s) who will make the presentation in the
conference must be specified. Author(s) making the presentation have to pay the fee as
specified. Registration fee for co-author(s) attending or presenting in the conference is the
same.
Acceptance of Paper, poster presentation and panel proposals will be available on the
event’s website by 30 July 2023. Authors whose abstracts for paper presentation, poster
presentation and Panels are accepted may submit the draft papers and posters by
[10/01/2024]. After the conference, authors of papers may send their revised paper for
publication by [15/04/2024] in the book to be published by NLUO in collaboration with a
publisher. Decisions about the inclusion of the paper in the book will be taken by the
editor(s) of the book and communicated to the authors. Please note that it is not mandatory
to submit a full paper either for the conference or for the publication
IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Extended date for submission of abstracts and

14/07/2023
panel proposals
Notification of acceptance of abstracts and
30/07/2023
panel proposals
Last date for submission of full paper and
10/01/2024
posters for the Conference (Optional)*
Last date for submission of revised paper for
15/04/2024
publication

*only authors who want their paper to be considered for

publication have to submit

***