It is my great honour to welcome you to Tirana for the International Scientific Conference on Social Sciences. Our theme ‘Social Sciences in a Changing World: Building Equity, Empowering Children and Youth, and Advancing Human Development,’ captures the essence of our collective mission in today’s complex global context. It reflects the growing need for comprehensive social policies to support and empower children and young people, uphold children’s rights, and strengthen human capital development as foundations for resilient and equitable societies. This conference is not only a platform for academic exchange but also a call to action — to rethink, renew, and reinforce the transformative role of the social sciences and social policy discourse in advancing justice, inclusion, equality, diversity and human dignity worldwide. In this spirit, ISCSS 2026 seeks to bridge research, policy, and practice — translating knowledge into action that strengthens evidence based social policies, inclusive and adaptive social protection systems, enhances workforce capacities, and promotes human rights and people-centred approaches.”