The Minister of Social Development, Mrs Edna Molewa will tomorrow, 1 November 2010 address the first Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) conference in Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The conference under the theme: “Don’t turn a blind eye” will bring together workers in the field of care, education and support, academics and professionals working with orphans and vulnerable children, human rights lawyers and community workers, regulators and politicians and members of civil society to:
- highlight the critical need across Africa in regards to orphans and vulnerable children
- identify gaps and provide recommendations that enable policies and regulations to better the needs of orphans and vulnerable children locally as well as regionally across Africa and beyond
- identify interventions that support them as well as their care and education
- understand how successful interventions can stimulate action in various areas of need across Africa, like improving ‘parental’ care, education and psychosocial support
- setting the tone for future conferences to ensure an ongoing awareness of the plight of these children as well as a review of progress in addressing their needs.
“This conference gives us an opportunity to showcase and share our government programmes in protecting the most vulnerable children. It is also presents an opportunity for us to learn from other countries and explore possible areas of partnerships as we work towards ensuring the best interest of children in all our programmes, said Minister Molewa.
Members of the media are invited to cover the event. The details of the programme are as follows:
Date: 1 November 2010
Time: 08h30 to 10h00
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre-Johannesburg
For media enquiries:
Mandla Mathebula
Cell: 083 282 6133
Abram Phahlamohlaka
Cell: 082 928 6590
