INTERPERSONAL INTERACTION WITH POLICY ACTORS AS A BASIS FOR RESEARCH ON CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING: FROM MYWEB TO EUROCOHORT.

An essential part of European social policy is the children's and youth policy that should become a priority area for EU politicians. It must use the best tools for the fostering of the child and youth wellbeing. Interest in children's well-being is increasing in Latvia and Europe, particularly in the field of science and at schools, e.g. schools are increasingly offered to participate in surveys concerning children's and young people's well-being. In order to improve the level of well-being of children and young people, it is necessary to carry out longitudinal studies that show how well-being is long-term influenced by strategic policy documents and by the actions of the responsible institutions. Therefore such research is not possible without the interest, participation and support of policy actors. It is recognised that policy makers use personal contacts to exchange evidence and ideas. In order to promote the well-being of children and young people the projects 'Measuring Youth Well Being' (2014-2016) and 'European Cohort Development Project' (2017-2019) funded by European Union are successively implemented providing the basis for longitudinal studies in the participating countries with the support of policy makers and funders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]