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“It is easier to build a child than to fix an adult” |
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The Society for Orphaned Children in Canada |
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News Up-date |
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“World Initiative for Orphans Holds Successful 1st World Conference”
World Initiative for Orphans (WIO), a worldwide independent, nonprofit human rights organization for children without parental care headquartered in The Hague held its’ ground-breaking “1st World Conference for Children without Parental Care” in The Hague, Netherlands May 21-24, 2007. Over 250 attendees representing 78 countries participated throughout the 4 days of the conference.
Strong support for WIO and the conference were given in the welcoming and keynote addresses of Mayor Wim Deetman (City of Peace & Justice, The Hague) and Dr. Prof. Mr. Jaap E. Doek, former Chairman of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The welcoming address from Mr. Deetman stated: “I think it is vital that an organization like World Initiative for Orphans is doing so much for children without parental care. It is an organization that is trying to ensure that the rights of the child, as stipulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, also apply to them. It is an organization that endeavors to ensure that these children have somewhere to live, that they can go to school, and that, ultimately, they can find their way in life and society. This is no easy task. I however only have to see the efforts and enthusiasm of the people involved in WIO to know that they will certainly succeed.”
Mr. Doek in his keynote address, “Urgent Need for Action” stated: “The overall picture is that most countries do not have a comprehensive and effective plan of action to prevent and reduce the phenomenon of children without parental care with alternative care in a family setting. Progress in the development of appropriate alternative care and the reduction of institutionalization is too limited. More must be done. That is why I welcome the efforts of World Initiative for Orphans to undertake with a sense of urgency actions with a view to contributing to prevention and to improvement of the plight of children without parental care.” Dr. Awich Pollar, newly elected Vice-Chairman of UN CRC expressed the continuing support of the committee for WIO by attending the conference and giving a plenary session address.
A wide range of distinguished speakers, advocates and experts from every region of the world shared their expertise. A broad range of topics were covered. They in part included: Millennium Development Goads & Children's Rights, The Emerging Challenge of Children Heading Households, HIV/AIDS & the new Orphanhood in Africa, Foster Care: Against all Odds, Institutional & Residential Care, expertise. A broad range of topics were covered. They in part included; Millennium Development Goals & Children in and after armed conflict, Micro credit programs and Meeting Children’s out of home care needs.
Reactions to the conference were very favorable. A few were; “A job well done,” “Amazing organizational skills by the WIO team,” Helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and resourceful,” “Best conference I ever attended,” “We have long needed an organization like WIO,” and “I cannot wait until the next WIO conference.”
Due to the success of WIO’s 1st World Conference for Children without Parental Care we are excited to announce: On October 22, 2007, WIO will officially create our World Council The signing of the agreement will take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague. The Gambia is the first country to publicly announce that they will join the council. Others countries have expressed interest and further information. WIO proudly announces the 2nd World Conference for Children without Parental Care will be held in Amersterdam, Netherlands in May 2008.
Contact: World Initiative for Orphans by phone (31) 70 345 9202 or email: info@wiorphans.org |