Conference: Impact and potential of the Federal Constitutional Law on children’s rights
January 12, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Vienna University of Economics and Business, Club Room LC.2.400, Library & Learning Center
Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna
irenafgnyghatra.vbhre@jh.np.ng
The conference on January 12, 2026, will focus on the impact and potential of the Federal Constitutional Law on the Rights of Children in the context of constitutional law, jurisprudence, and practice.
The starting point is a recent study on the application of the BVG Children’s Rights (2025). On behalf of the Children’s Rights Board established by the Federal Chancellery, this study examined the effects of the specific enshrinement of children’s rights in the constitution on the protection of fundamental rights for children in Austria from a legal perspective. To this end, the significance of children’s rights in the case law of the national supreme courts and the European (human rights) courts was analyzed and potential for development was identified.
The conference will now take up these opportunities for development to strengthen the protection of children’s rights in Austria. Experts from academia, the judiciary, and administration will examine the status of the implementation of children’s rights in various reference areas, as well as the associated practical challenges and implementation deficits. Helmut Sax from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights is involved in the program focus on protection against violence.
Program overview:
- Fundamentals and constitutional classification: DDr. Philip Czech (University of Salzburg) & Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claudia Fuchs, LL.M. (WU)
- Children’s rights and protection against violence: Univ.-Ass. Mag. Nora Kutleshi (WU), Univ.-Ass. Lena Milacher, LL.M. (WU), HR Dr. Katharina Gröger (VwGH), Dr. Tatiana Spitzer-Edl (StA Vienna) & Dr. Helmut Sax (LBI-GMR)
- Children’s rights and child and youth welfare: Dr. Oliver Scheiber (BG Meidling), Mag. Claudia Grasl, MA (KIJA Vienna), Mag. Martina Staffe-Hanacek (BKA) & Mag. Josef Hiebl (KJH Vienna)
- Children’s rights in school law: Univ.-Prof. DDr. Bernd Wieser (University of Graz), Mag. Michael Fuchs-Robetin (BVwG), Mag. Theresa Hammer (Klagsverband) & Mag. Oliver Henhapel (BMB)
Concluding panel discussion with Univ.-Prof. Dr. Maria Bertel (University of Graz), RA Mag. Wilfried Embacher (Vienna), Mag. Sebastian Öhner (KIJA Vienna) & Mag. Elisabeth Schaffelhofer-Garcia Marquez (BMJ).
The event is being held in cooperation with the Children’s Rights Board, WU Vienna, the Vienna Children and Youth Advocacy Service, and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute ofFundamental and Human Rights.
End of event: 5:30 p.m.
Further information can be found in the download area. Participation is free of charge. Due to limited space, we kindly ask you to register immediately at: irenafgnyghatra.vbre@jh.np.ng
