Mothers and Fathers Welcome 2026

This year’s edition will thematically follow up on the previous successful editions. The topic will be the shortening and systemic reform of parental leave.

We will focus in greater detail on the positive economic impacts this change brings – whether in terms of greater labour market flexibility or the expansion of access to preschool care. Following the example of Swedish practice, we will look at the possibility of involving grandparents in childcare – the so-called “grandparental leave.”

We will also reopen key questions concerning the economic and social accessibility of parenthood in the Czech Republic, in the context of unfavourable demographic trends and declining birth rates.

Moderated by ILONA KLENÍKOVÁ, editor of Heroine magazine

This year, parents are welcome here – we will offer a space for parents with children, including childcare.

P R O G R A M M E:

9:00 - 9:10 Conference Opening

9:10 - 9:20 Parents Are Welcome

• Denisa Ladka Morgensteinová, founder of MIMAMI

9:20 - 9:40 Family as a Shared Project: How to Involve (Not Only) Grandparents in Caregiving

“Transfer of parental allowance to another person” – another inspiring project from Sweden, in force since 1 June 2024. It allows grandparents or other persons who are not legal guardians to be involved in childcare.

• Marie Bendegard, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden in Prague

9:40 - 9:50 Good Practice from Heineken Czech Republic, a.s.

The first glimpses of Swedish practice in the Czech Republic & the involvement of grandparents and a partner in caregiving. Personal experience will be presented by:

• Dita Maciel Jacobson, Corporate Affairs Manager, Heineken Czech Republic, a. s.

9:50 - 10:20 Economic Perspective: Parenthood Is a Shared Project

Following up on last year’s economic analysis regarding the shortening of parental leave in the Czech Republic. What would be the economic benefits of shorter parental leave in the Czech Republic – for the state, for companies, and for families themselves? And how can grandparents also be involved in childcare following the Swedish example, or shall we also introduce “grandparental leave”?

• Petr Bartoň, economist, Natland

10:20 - 10:30 Break

10:30 - 11:00 Demographic Winter in the Czech Republic - research by the M’arter organisation.

• Andrea Bohačíková, CEO, Marter

11:00 - 11:45 Where Are Future Colleagues? Corporate Strategy in the Era of Demographic Change

This is followed by a VIP panel discussion thematically linked to the presentation by the M’arter organisation. Would a systemic change in parental leave help increase the birth rate in the Czech Republic? What would be the impacts on the labour market and the economy? Could involving grandparents in childcare help? Can companies themselves help by setting suitable conditions for parents?

In addition, many companies are already facing labour shortages – are they aware of demographic trends and already seeking solutions today?

• Andrea Bohačíková, CEO Marter

• Tereza Brůžková, Talent Specialist, Heineken Czech Republic, a.s.

• Michaela Chaloupková, Member of the Board of Directors, ČEZ, a.s.

• Jolana Jakoubková, CEO, Firemní školky, s.r.o.

11:45 -12:10 Good Practice from Česká spořitelna, a.s., Ambassador of the Diversity Charter

• Petra Ondrušová, Chief Sustainability Officer, Česká spořitelna, a.s.

12:10 - 13:00 Discussion & Networking