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Date : 14/07/2006
Source: Department of Social Development
Title: Benjamin: Conference on Orphans and Vulnerable Children


  Closing address by the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Jean Benjamin to the conference on orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS Gallagher Estate, Midrand

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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