Public Lecture at the National University of Laos, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R

As part of the Who Minds the Children? project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Dr. Mónica Ruiz-Casares (TMU) and Dr. Maliphone Douangphachanh (NUOL) presented study findings, with emphasis on Laos-specific results and implications. The event took place in a spacious training facility in the Faculty of Social Sciences at DongDok Campus. Dr. Saithong Phommavong welcomed participants and provided background to the long-standing collaboration to those in attendance, including 30 faculty members, doctoral students, government officials, and representatives of non-profit organizations such as World Vision and Save the Children. Other team members participated in the organization and running of the session, most notably providing details about the implementation of the study in Luang Namtha and Vientiane provinces. The presentation sparked lively responses from the audience, including questions and recommendations to translate findings into action to strengthen child supervision and wellbeing locally. The session created a valuable space for sharing knowledge and further strengthened research connections both with NUOL and with external partners.