J Benjamin: Conference on orphans and vulnerable children

14 July 2006

The MECs of Social Development, esteemed delegates:

We have come to the end of a highly successful and very moving dialogue on a
crucial topic of providing support to our region's most precious resource, our
children.

As we all know this conference has been about strengthening co-ordinated
action for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.

Over the last few days there has been a series of presentations, speeches,
group discussions and generally, deliberations by the conference delegates
about how we can practically take forward the implementation plans for the
following:

* psychosocial support
* models of support
* partnerships and collaborations
* policy and legislation

We have all been thoroughly enriched by the discussions and most importantly
we have found the interactions and the networking amongst delegates very
helpful.

I am sure you will all agree with me that the conference began on a very
high note, with the interaction between the Minister of Social Development, Dr
Zola Skweyiya and the children.

The conference acknowledged the fact that children should be part of
deliberations on policies, legislation and programmes that affect their lives.
This is based on the premise that children are active participants in their own
development. Hence, was the pre-conference workshop at Mogale City early this
month.

The children eloquently shared with the Minister on 11 July and with
delegates in the plenary on the 12 July, their innermost feelings. We are all
aware now of the challenges and difficulties that some of our policies and
programmes impose on the children. These include the challenges of inheritance
in the event of the death of parents, of municipal and school bills, the
obstacles such as absence of documentation such as birth, death or marriage
certificates in order to access social grants and other civil rights, and
general psycho-social support.

We will share this with our colleagues in the relevant departments, for
example Justice and Constitutional Development, Home Affairs, Health, Housing
and Provincial and Local Government.

An important feature of this conference was also that it was based on
finding practical solutions. It was in this vein, that Minister Skweyiya
instructed the Department at the gala dinner last night that the child
delegates should not be forgotten once the conference is over.

We will ensure that our officials keep track of the children and provide
support in the areas they requested and also to help them to access other
government services.

Another highlight of the conference, ladies and gentlemen, was the launch
last night of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Global Campaign with
the theme "Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS”. We are pleased to be part
of this key United Nations campaign.

Ladies and gentlemen, the main points that emerged from the main conference
deliberations are centred on the following areas that are critical to our
intervention strategies and programmes:

* Mainstreaming psychological supports

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a major threat to the advancement of the social
development agenda in our country in terms of promoting the protection of
orphans and vulnerable children. The well-being of primary caregivers has an
impact on the well-being of children. We therefore need to ensure that our
interventions are aimed at restoring the social well-being of children who have
been negatively affected by the devastating impact of HIV and AIDS.

Some of the models that we have had the opportunity to listen to include the
Memory Box, the Isibindi Model, Child Care Forums and many other models. These
are important lessons that we will have to find ways of replicating in our
respective areas of work.

* Effective co-ordination of services at local level

Minister Skweyiya alluded to the fact that we need to bring on board the
Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG). This is in realisation of
the primary role that DPLG has on provision of basic services at the community
level. As the honourable Minister has rightfully indicated that the
socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS demands effective partnerships as no single
government department can successfully address the impact of the epidemic
without the involvement of business community civil society organisations,
faith-based organisations and community-based organisations. Various speakers
and presentations made here bear testimony to the partnerships that are
beginning to bear fruits.

* Incorporation of economic issues into the development approach

As we have all heard, the epidemic is wiping out the most productive and
active members of society who are contributing to the economic growth of our
country. These are people who are most often the breadwinners in their
households. This calls for a paradigm shift in our interventions. Our
interventions which are guided by the development approach should incorporate
issues of sustainability and income-generating activities so that our
communities can be self-reliant and self-sufficient.

* Cascading of legislation and action into communities

As development practitioners we need to ensure that our policies are
designed in such a way that communities can easily understand them and become
active participants. I hope this conference has given us an opportunity to
interrogate our policies and intervention programmes so that they address the
real issues on the ground and the issues that the children expressed during the
plenary session on the opening day of the conference.

Practical intervention and support to strengthening co-ordinated action for
orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS does not happen by
chance, it requires commitment, dedication and hard work by the entire
stakeholder community. The National Action Committee for Children Affected by
HIV/AIDS (NACCA) needs to take up the challenge towards practical
implementation at national, provincial and district level. Since the committee
includes both government and civil society, it is better placed to ensure the
implementation of the decisions we have taken here.

I invite you once again to commit yourselves to the implementation of the
National Action Plan and the realisation of the Policy Framework.

I encourage your involvement in the working groups formed under the auspices
of NACCA and the Department of Social Development. The working groups include
advocacy, care, support and protection, capacity building, communications, food
security and research.

Let me use this opportunity also to extend our gratitude to you all for
participating in the Children's Bill processes. We now need to finalise section
76 of the Bill and urge you support us again in the public hearings and other
processes in this regard.

Let us take up the challenge and strengthen co-ordinated action to support
our children. In this way, we will be investing in the future of our country
and this region as a whole. We are on the right track. We just need to ensure
accelerated action and best results.

I wish you all a safe journey back home and a good rest after such hard
work.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Social Development
14 July 2006

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