Gattyán Foundation Recreation and Professional Conference – October 14-16

This year, we were thrilled to host the Gattyán Foundation Recreation and Professional Conference for the third time, and we are happy it continues to be highly popular among professionals working in institutional care. The goal of the conference has always been clear: to provide an opportunity for staff at children’s homes to recharge and grow professionally. In a year that has brought many challenges to the child protection system, especially for institutional care facilities, this event has proven more important than ever.

We are delighted that nearly all of Hungary’s state-run children’s homes and child protection centers participated in the conference, despite the significant challenge of staff shortages. A total of 24 institutions and more than 90 staff members attended the two-and-a-half-day event, held once again at the exclusive Normafa Hotel.

Alongside the hotel’s luxurious amenities, the conference offered high-quality programs across all three days.

The first day began with a deep dive into the lifelong consequences of negative childhood experiences, presented by Dr. Mihály Makara and Martina Fekete-Gál. Following this, Mónika Rózsa, a child and adolescent clinical psychologist, led an engaging session on understanding trauma and developing self-regulation skills. The day ended with a presentation by Ferenc Novák, who explored the challenges of adolescence and practical methods for overcoming passivity.

After a full day of intensive programming, participants enjoyed a relaxing wellness session, making use of the sauna, outdoor hot tub, and swimming pool to unwind and reflect on the day’s discussions.

On the second day, participants took part in supervision sessions, conducted in small groups. Six experts from the Hungarian Supervisors and Supervisor-Coaches Association

guided participants through the nuances of supervision. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value of this support in their everyday work. The morning concluded with a fascinating presentation by Tibor Derdák, director of the Dr. Ámbédkar School, on the successful educational and social integration of Roma youth.

In the afternoon, participants had the chance to enjoy the autumn weather and take advantage of additional wellness programs, yoga, and meditation sessions. Afterward, Dr. Szilvia Gyurkó, founder of the Hintalovon Foundation and an expert in children’s rights, discussed the current state of the child protection system. We are particularly proud that Dr. Gyurkó has been a regular speaker at our professional programs since the first conference, and her insightful presentation, which included an international perspective, was once again well-received.

The evening featured one of the most emotional moments of the conference: the presentation of the Outstanding Child Protection Worker Award. The ceremony recognized five exceptional staff members from children’s homes, who were honored with the Foundation’s award and a 100,000 HUF prize. The evening concluded with a joyful celebration and party, where the community came together to celebrate their hard work and dedication.

The final day began with a presentation by Anna B. Aczél, based on her extensive professional experience. The conference ended with a roundtable discussion, allowing participants to share their thoughts and feedback in a collaborative environment. Direct input from the institutions’ staff is invaluable to our Foundation, as it ensures that we provide the best possible support to both staff and children in care.

Overall, the conference was a resounding success, and the feedback from children’s home staff confirms that they not only enjoyed the event but also returned to their work feeling both emotionally and professionally revitalized.