´óÏóÊÓƵ

17th National Paediatric Bioethics Conference

We are pleased to announce the 17th National Paediatric Bioethics Conference  

The ‘best interests’ standard - myth, mandate or moving target? 

Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne 2nd - 4th September 2026.  

The ‘best interests’ standard can sometimes present as a mythic ideal; an apparently objective, singular answer to what should be done for a child. The ‘best interests’ standard can also function as a mandate. It is a legal and ethical obligation that requires the wellbeing of the child to be the basis for paediatric decision-making, providing a protective framework and justification for medical decisions in this vulnerable population. In reality, the ‘best interests’ standard is also a moving target, shaped by evolving evidence, shifting social and cultural norms and values, advances in medicine, and the unique circumstances of each child and family. What is considered in a child’s best interests may change over time, vary across disciplines or between individuals with unique values, or differ between communities. 

The standard position in paediatric practice is to defer to parents as the legally and ethically recognised decision-maker for their child. This sometimes causes tension and conflict where parents and clinicians disagree. This year’s conference will focus on the challenges of deciding what is best for the child in clinical practice. We will explore the complexity of the foundational ethical and legal ‘best interest’ principle, as well as alternative concepts for guiding paediatric decision-making including the ‘Harm Principle’, ‘Constrained Parental Autonomy’, the ‘Reasonable Interest’ standard, and the ‘Zone of Parental Discretion’. While an objective, consensus view on what constitutes any child’s best interests may remain a myth, there is value in pursuing a collective understanding.

In the conference we will explore the following questions:  

• What do we mean by 'best interests'? Is there a consensus view?  

• When understanding differs, whose definition of ‘best’ do we preference? The Parent? Clinician? Judge? Child?  

• Is ‘best interests’ an ethically useful term? What other concepts might be more useful in paediatric practice?  

• Does the child know what’s 'best' for them? How do we incorporate the child’s views? 

Register now for the event via .

Call for abstracts

Abstract submission close Tuesday May 26th, 2026

Submit your abstract Ìý(³ó³Ù³Ù±è²õ://´Ú´Ç°ù³¾²õ.´Ç´Ú´Ú¾±³¦±ð.³¦´Ç³¾/°ù/³¦60³Ü¹ó´Ú´³±è¾±¸é).

Keynote Speakers

¸é±ð²µ¾±²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý

Registration for the event can be done through Ìý(³ó³Ù³Ù±è²õ://·É·É·É.³Ù°ù²â²ú´Ç´Ç°ì¾±²Ô²µ.³¦´Ç³¾/¶Ù´³³Ý°¿°¿).Ìý

Conference queries? Contact the team at ²ú¾±´Ç±ð³Ù³ó¾±³¦²õ°ª°ù³¦³ó.´Ç°ù²µ.²¹³ÜÌý