The conference launching the campaign is an excellent opportunity to discuss foster parenting in Poland. The organiser of the event "Już jesteś?" Foster Parenting: Challenges and Successes is the "Edukacja z Wartościami" (Education with Values) Foundation. The non-governmental organisation implements the project within the framework of the tender announced by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy "Implementation of a social campaign promoting foster parenthood. Edition 2023".

Creating conditions for development that serve children, the implementation of family-friendly policies, is a priority for our government. When deciding on the next projects, we always consider whether they will provide conditions for children that are as close to home conditions as possible, giving them love and a sense of security. Children want one thing: love, joy, happiness, security, just to find a home. The aim of the campaign is to increase knowledge and change the public's thinking about family forms of foster care and to increase motivation to take action to create foster families. We believe that our efforts, carried out in cooperation with local governments and non-governmental organisations, will bring the right results – will open our doors to 15,400 children, noted Minister Marlena Maląg.

Today, I want to express my great respect for you, the staff of people in local governments, NGOs, and families who are putting in a tremendous amount of work for children looking for a family. We need a big, nationwide campaign to promote foster parenthood, which we are just starting. This is the beginning of a new chapter, a greater public appreciation for the work of foster families. The beginning of greater mobilisation, perhaps courage for those potential parents who are still hesitant today. I believe that thanks to this campaign they will be courageous, they will take up this challenge pointed out the Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy, Barbara Socha.

We amended the Act on Family Support and Foster Care System last year. We are open and listening to further recommendations, suggestions, on what foster families face next. We are planning another amendment, in the area of prevention, support for family assistants and support for children with disabilities who end up in foster care – she added.

The conference was held at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology in Warsaw. The event was attended by more than 200 people who work and act for foster care in Poland on a daily basis. Among the conference participants were experts and representatives of voivodship and county governments.

Invited guests and speakers shared their experiences of everyday work in foster parenting. Dr Agata Skalec presented research findings on the determinants of foster family acquisition. Kacper Majewski, a foster carer, stirred everyone by talking about his difficult childhood experience. He strengthened the conference participants in the belief that we cannot give up when looking for candidates for foster parents. Equally inspiring was a lecture on self-motivation and motivating others to take constructive action, given by Cezary Fryszkiewicz, trainer and coach. There was also a panel discussion on "What helps in attracting candidates for foster parents", which was attended by prominent experts in the field of foster parenting in Poland: Edyta Wojtasińska - One Heart Foundation, Małgorzata Malczuk – Director of the District Family Assistance Centre in Biała Podlaska, Jadwiga Jagiełło – Great Heart Foundation, Ewelina Bembenek – Deputy Director of the Regional Centre for Social Policy in Rzeszów, and Magdalena Nazimek – Education with Values Foundation.

The conference launches a series of events (TV and radio spots, outdoor, book, display, influencer marketing, social media) of the nationwide "Już jesteś?" campaign promoting the idea of foster parenthood. Launch of the campaign is scheduled for 1 October.