The rights of children in Bermuda will come under the spotlight at a major conference in Japan next week.

Tiffanne Thomas, an independent social worker, has been invited to speak on child protection and the influence of culture on a country’s protection of children at the International Symposium on Social Sciences and Management.

Ms Thomas told The Royal Gazette she was recommended to the event organisers by Lonnie Morris of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology because of her research into ethical leadership and the effects of culture on leadership.

She said: “I was completely humbled to be recommended and then selected to be a part of this event.

“We often think that what we do in Bermuda is in isolation but experiences such as this have confirmed that indeed the world is watching.

“I have been involved in a number of research projects and that work has focused primarily on leadership, specifically ethical leadership and the influence of culture on our behaviours.”

Ms Thomas added: “Next week’s presentation will primarily explore how a country shapes its protection of vulnerable populations, the role of leadership and the influence of culture.

“These three constructs will be analysed. The symposium attracts leaders in various fields — technology, medicine, social sciences, to name a few.

“I am excited to hear how our individual fields intersect and what that means on a global scale.”

Ms Thomas has acted as an advocate in court — a litigation guardian — for children in Bermuda since 2014, but in November she withdrew her services from 17 cases and filed a $2.6 million legal action against the Government for its failure to pay her for her services.

The Government has also tabled an amendment to the law, which Ms Thomas and others said would erode the right of vulnerable youngsters to independent legal representation in court.

Debate on the Bill was postponed late last year.

Ms Thomas said international interest in child protection in Bermuda had increased as a result of recent developments surrounding litigation guardians.

The conference will be held in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s second-biggest island, from January 22 to 24.

Ms Thomas’s presentation will be her second on an international stage.

She spoke at the International Leadership Association’s Global Conference in Belgium in 2017.