The government has initiated a societal mission aimed at including all children and youth in education, work, and social life. The overarching objective focuses on the well-being of children and youth, service development, and methods for inclusion, with research playing a central role. Østfold University College (HiØ) is committed to contributing to the realization of this mission and, despite the current economic situation, has established an initiative area for “Vulnerable Children and Youth.”
This initiative will be interdisciplinary, and through research, education, and innovation, we aim to generate new knowledge with the goal of reducing the number of children and youth who fall outside the system. To achieve this goal, it is essential to build on the excellent work already being done in our academic communities and to facilitate greater collaboration with relevant societal actors.
On December 9–10, an interdisciplinary group comprising staff from all three faculties was invited to further identify the thematic areas the initiative should focus on (see image). RIDE plays a central role in this effort, with Ingeborg Krange leading the working group and Ilka Nagel representing the Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages, with a particular focus on digital childhood.