Advancing child safety and child-friendly initiatives is the focus of a conference being held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 28 June.The Bathurst Child and Family Network (BCFN) is hosting the 'Working to build child-safe, child-friendly communities' one-day conference to promote child protection initiatives within the Bathurst region thanks to local network development funding from the Department of Family and Community Services.Nationally recognised speakers Mr Brian Babbington, the CEO of Families Australia, and Mr Andrew MacCallum, CEO of the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies, will address the conference.The BCFN has been awarded a CSU Community-University Partnership (CUP) grant under the Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Program, to evaluate the initiative.Dr Sandie Wong (pictured), senior lecturer in CSU's School of Teacher Education and researcher at the Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE), said, "We're very pleased to be able to be part of such an important local initiative that puts children's rights first. Charles Sturt University academics will attend the conference, and Dr Tamara Cumming and I will undertake the project evaluation titled, 'Impact measurement: evaluation of the impact of Building a child-safe, child-friendly community initiative in Bathurst'."Ms Annette Meyers, facilitator of the Bathurst Early Learning Support (BELS) and chairperson of BCFN, said, "We believe that 'it takes a village to raise a child' and our vision is for all children and families to be happy, healthy, safe and thrive in Bathurst. We have a genuine desire to provide opportunities for children, young people and families to be heard and taken seriously."Conference participants will include senior managers, principals, directors and board members of relevant organisations.