This was our final event in Brussels!

We are truly grateful for the inspiring discussions and valuable contributions at our final event in Brussels: "Supporting Deaf Children and Families: Lessons, Challenges, and Moving Forward."

Designed as a World Café, the event encouraged open conversations rather than formal presentations, creating a space for shared experiences, collaboration, and new perspectives. A key theme throughout the discussions was the importance of ensuring families have the right information to make informed decisions. We also explored the critical need to shift from projects designed for the Deaf community to initiatives developed with them—honoring the principle "Nothing About Us, Without Us."

The event opened with an insightful keynote by Evelien Dirks, highlighting the language, social-emotional, and cognitive development of deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the context of parent-child interaction. This set the stage for engaging discussions at four themed tables:

- SILENT: Outcomes, Lessons Learned, and Moving Forward – Moderated by Katja Lenič Šalamun (InterAktion)

- Needs of Families with Children with Disabilities – Moderated by Elizabeth Gosme (COFACE Families Europe)

- The Importance of Early Intervention Services for Deaf Children – Moderated by Vanessa Lopes (Koninklijk Instituut Woluwe)

- Role and Needs of Deaf Communities and Cultural Identity – Moderated by Alexandre Bloxs (European Union of the Deaf)

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their insights, and contributed to these meaningful discussions. Special thanks to the Steiermark Office Brussels for hosting us in their beautiful space.