Online Conference
Cutting Edge
2026
This page contains more details about our Cutting Edge conference happening on 1 July 2026. The conference will run over four hours, with plenary sessions and breakout rooms.
1pm - 5pm London | 8pm-12am Manila / Hong Kong
3pm-7pm Kampala | 9am-1pm Paraguay
8am-12pm Washington DC | 7am -11am Lima
Our speakers
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Samir Deokuliar
Samir Deokuliar is an author, speaker, and leadership coach who helps individuals and organizations discover purpose, build trust, and achieve lasting success.
Read more about Samir here -
Lucy Culver OBE
Lucy Culver, OBE, with an award-winning, exceptional track record of impact, is a Professor of Child and Family Social Work, Department of Social Policy and Intervention and Professorial Governing Body Fellow, Nuffield College.
Read more about Lucie here -
Phil Green
Phil Green, Viva's Chief Executive, was previously part of the World Without Orphans Global Team and the CEO of Home for Good and is the co-catalyst for the Lausanne Movement's Children at Risk issue network.
Session 1: The Why (1pm – 2:30pm UK time)
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Keynote presentation
Why churches, non-profits and businesses working together matter.
Samir Deokuliar: Pastor, Coach, TV Host, Author, City Movement Catalyst.
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Keynote Presentation
21st-century children: Complex challenges, networked solutions.
Lucie Cluver OBE: Professor of Child and Family Social Work, University of Oxford, and University of Cape Town.
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Case Studies
Three stories of citywide collaboration for children.
Hear from some of our partner networks as they share practical interventions that deliver greater impact for children.
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Keynote Presentation
The Network Paradox: What builds a network can break it.
Phil Green: Chief Executive, Viva and Co-catalyst, Lausanne Movement’s Children at Risk Issue Network.
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Breakout Q&As
Choose your session
You will have an opportunity to engage with our keynote speakers and case study presenters in an interactive Q&A session.
Session 2: The How (3:00pm – 4:30pm UK time)
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Introduction
30 years of supporting churches and organisations working together for children.
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Presentations and Examples
Viva’s model is based around four drivers of change – in this session, we will introduce them, provide examples, and outline how we support them.
Connecting: Churches and organisations can have a bigger reach when connected in networks.
Capacity Building: Churches and organisations provide better quality care to children when their capacity is built.
Collective Action: Churches and organisations have a longer-lasting impact when taking collective action together.
Citywide Influence: Churches and organisations have a louder voice with and on behalf of children when they embrace a citywide influence.
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Conclusion
Why being part of a global community of learning and action helps.
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Q&A Breakout Session
Breakout 1: Connecting.
Breakout 2: Capacity Building.
Breakout 3: Collective Action.
Breakout 4: Citywide Influence.
Closing Session: What’s Next? (4:30pm – 5:00pm UK time)
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Driving more collaborative action for children
Hear more about the support Viva can offer you, and next steps for training and peer engagement.
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Shared Vision
Connect with people passionate about making more impact in the lives of children and eager to see churches and organisations working better together.
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Learning
Use this opportunity to learn from academics, theologians and practitioners – and that includes other participants having the opportunity to learn from you.
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Practical Action
Be inspired, and equipped, to take practical steps to make a bigger, better and longer-lasting impact in the lives of children.
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Intersections
It’s at the edges where things intersect. Join us at this conference and gather with people from different sectors who have various expertise and experiences.
