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Event description
What really helps children and youth get through difficult times?
What gives them strength, a sense of agency, and the belief that they can cope?
We invite you to “Roots and Wings” – a unique conference organized to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ULICA Foundation for Children.
This meeting will be an opportunity to look at mental resilience not through the lens of problems and deficits, but through what works, what supports, and what we can do to have more of it.
For the first time, we will present
the study results.
After 20 years of our work,
we will look to the future.
We will take care of our
Roots and Wings
One of the most important moments of the conference will be the premiere presentation of the results of the first study on the mental resilience of children and youth in the Silesian Voivodeship.
This is the first such comprehensive look at the mental resilience of young people in our region. The results will allow us to better see what is currently a key resource for children and youth, what helps them cope with difficulties, and where we should look for further opportunities to strengthen their resilience.
But we don't want to give everything away just yet.
Some results may surprise us. That is why, instead of talking about them before the conference, we want to discover them together with you.
For 20 years, the ULICA Foundation has met with thousands of children, young people, and adults, searching for what helps when times are tough.
During the conference, we will combine these experiences with the study results and the perspectives of children, youth, parents, foster families, teachers, and specialists.
However, this will not be a conference where you just sit and listen. There will be questions. There will be stories. There will be data. There will be surprises. There will be space for your own discoveries.
And above all, there will be the question of what we can do next. Because 20 years of experience is no reason to look back. It is a good moment to ask: What will we build over the next 20 years?
We want to talk about what provides roots—a sense of security, belonging, self-worth, and support from others. And about what allows us to develop wings—independence, agency, the courage to try, and the conviction that even when things are difficult, you can take the next step.
The conference will be a day full of inspiration, practical knowledge, and new perspectives on supporting the mental resilience of children and youth.
What will you take away from this meeting?
You will learn the results of the first study on the mental resilience of children and youth in the Silesian Voivodeship and find out what they reveal about the strengths and needs of young people.
You will hear stories and experiences from people who already know what works and learn about solutions you can use in your daily work and relationships with children.
You will gain space to pause, exchange experiences, and look at your work from a new perspective.
And above all, you will leave the conference with concrete inspiration, a new idea, and a first small step you can take the very next day—for yourself, your class, your school, your family, or a specific child.
Basic information
Conference date: October 13, 2026
Conference hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Conference venue: SILESIAN MUSEUM IN KATOWICE
ul. T. Dobrowolskiego 1, 40-205 Katowice
Participation in the conference is free of charge. This is made possible by our Strategic Partner, NEO ENERGY GROUP, which once again is providing real support for both the organization of the conference and our ongoing research into the mental resilience of children and youth.
Conference registration: Space is limited. After submitting your application, we will contact you to confirm your participation.
Parking: Surface and underground parking are available at the Silesian Museum. Parking is free for up to 3 hours, and each additional hour costs 5 PLN.
Who is our program for?
Join us to discover the results of the first study on the mental resilience of children and youth in the Silesian Voivodeship. You will see what young people themselves say about what helps them cope with difficulties, where they draw their strength from, and which resources are worth strengthening. Then, you can view the results from your own perspective:
Teachers and educators, you will find inspiration on how to support mental resilience in the classroom and in your daily work with students.
Psychologists, pedagogues, therapists, and specialists, you will gain data that can serve as a starting point for discussions about the needs of young people and for planning support initiatives.
Trainers and those working on the development of children and youth, you will see which resources are worth cultivating and be inspired by the experiences of others working with young people.
Parents and foster parents, you will better understand the perspective of young people and learn what can help them navigate difficult moments.
Directors, representatives of local government, or social organizations, you will see what is already working and where to focus your attention to create the right conditions for the development and mental resilience of children and youth.
Because although we may each have a different role, we can all influence the roots and wings that young people receive.
SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Ben Furman
The "Roots and Wings" conference will feature Dr. Ben Furman, a Finnish psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and one of the world's most renowned proponents of the solution-focused approach. For the ULICA Foundation, he is, above all, our friend and a long-term partner in developing ways to support children and youth.
For years, Ben has inspired us to look at children not through the lens of their problems, but through their strengths, capabilities, and what helps them cope with difficulties.
During the conference, he will deliver a special presentation on the mental resilience of children and youth.
Sign up for the conference interest list
Neo Energy Group.
As a leading developer and operator of renewable energy sources (RES), Neo Energy Group is deeply committed to sustainable development. The company also engages in social initiatives that not only promote the well-being of children and youth but also build their mental resilience—a protective shield that is a key element of their health and prosperity. By supporting the ULICA Foundation and its Center, NEG actively contributes to the development of ecopsychology and the ideas of Dr. Ben Furman. It also demonstrates that responsible business and sustainable development are not just about investing in technology, but also in people—especially the younger generation. The innovation embedded in Neo Energy Group's DNA is also evident in the Foundation's activities and the concept it promotes, which uses modern tools to rebuild and strengthen the mental resilience of children. As a result, children's problems are beginning to be viewed differently. They are becoming processes of learning new skills that help overcome difficulties and initiate the desired change. The accessibility of these initiatives to local communities is further proof that Neo Energy Group understands and takes its social role very seriously, possessing the power to influence positive change. By supporting the ULICA Foundation, the company joins forces with those working for a better tomorrow, where every child—regardless of where they live—has the chance for healthy development in harmony with the world around them.
If you have any questions, please contact
Magdalena Tyska
Customer Service Specialist