Prof. Shazly Savahl appointed as Prince Claus Chair holder 2024–2026

On May 26, 2025, Prof. Shazly Savahl (University of the Western Cape, South Africa) formally accepted his appointment to the Prince Claus Chair in Equity and Development at Utrecht University. The ceremony was held at the University Hall and attended by members of the academic community, international guests, and youth engagement advocates.

In his inaugural lecture, titled “The 10th Shift in Child and Youth Well-Being Research: A Global Social Justice Perspective towards a Child-Conscious Society,” Prof. Savahl explored the need to move beyond traditional indicators of child well-being. His work combines subjective well-being data with objective quality-of-life metrics, advocating for authentic child participation and more inclusive policy development.

“We use subjective data to complement objective quality of life indicators, providing a more complete foundation for developing programs and policies for children and young people,” Prof. Savahl noted.

As the Prince Claus Chair holder, Prof. Savahl brings a strong commitment to social justice and equity, with a research agenda that centers children’s rights, voices, and lived experiences. His work contributes to building a child-conscious society, where children are not only protected but actively shape the world they live in.

View photos from the ceremony below.

Read more about Prof. Savahl’s work in the new Dynamics of Youth magazine, featuring an interview on page 25.