|
Back to Index
International
Consultation on Helplines
organised by The Ministry
of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India and Childline
India at Le Meridien Hotel, Pune, 23 - 26 August, 2001
by Elizabeth
Robb, Childline - Zimbabwe
September 13, 2001
In May this
year Childline received an invitation to attend the above conference,
originally scheduled to take place in June 2001, but later rescheduled
to August 2001, in Pune, India.
It is increasingly
acknowledged that helplines specifically targeted at children and
their special needs, can be an effective tool in reaching out to
the disadvantaged in society. These disadvantages are not exclusively
related to poverty, but it has to be accepted that for the majority
of the countries represented, this was the case.
Representatives
of twenty-one countries attended from as far afield as Argentina
and the Caribbean, with the majority of delegates coming from the
Asian continent. The conference took place immediately after a three
day meeting of the many Childline India Directors who then joined
the international visitors for the conference itself.
It was interesting
to note the number of delegates attending from the International
agencies, who it can be surmised from their presence, are interested,
if not already involved, in supporting the concept of helplines
in developing countries. The involvement of the large corporates
who are working with Childline India was also of note. The opening
ceremony and keynote address highlighted the involvement of the
Government of India in establishing Childline so rapidly in so many
cities throughout the vast subcontinent. This is an area which Childline
- Zimbabwe would like to pursue in the future, but currently the
current economic and political situation in Zimbabwe precludes this.
A short situation
analysis of each country and children in need of care and protection
was most informative and gave delegates a much better insight into
the very different problems faced in the very different countries.
Trafficking in Asia topped the list of concerns for most of the
Eastern delegates, whilst asylum seekers and the difficulty of their
integration into the community was the main concern of the Scandinavian
delegates.
Expectations
from the conference were also aired and covered an enormous range
of subjects. However, whilst some countries were very well established
and others had not yet launched any helpline service, there was
a common theme running through the session, as the importance of
networking, monitoring and evaluation, and the difficulties of sustainability
and fundraising were often mentioned. The practical difficulties
of involving children in planning and executing a rights based programme
was also noted.
The conference
also focussed on the role of the Global Movement for Children with
small group discussions and a report back session. Linking Child
Protection and the Global Movement for Children led to some lively
discussion when once again, "grass roots, hands on" issues were
compared with the often idealistic discussions at International
Level. One excellent feature of the conference was that the delegates
were almost all the 'ground workers' who were quickly able to focus
on the real issues, practicalities and difficulties of the work
they were currently undertaking.
The following
day, Friday the 26th August saw some nine countries,
including Zimbabwe, sharing their experiences. This once again brought
out some very interesting differences in the foci of the individual
countries helplines, and it is to be hoped that the Zimbabwe presentation
has given both those countries with existing helplines, and those
planning them, some food for thought especially with regard to using
volunteers on the helpline and our successful provision of a freepost
service.
Involving the
large corporates in advertising and public relations as well as
monitoring and evaluation and efficiency proved to be most interesting.
Using them as part of their social responsibility programmes is
an excellent way forward, but there was a feeling that having involved
them in the consultation process, the resources had to be there
to implement their recommendations.
Working with
Governments is clearly a positive for most countries, but the difficulties
of doing this in reality, whether for bureaucratic or even political
reasons remains an obstacle for many.
In the afternoon,
the delegates once again moved into small group discussions on various
issues such as Building Partnerships, Structure, Capacity Building,
Funding and Sustainability. A lengthy report back on the Sunday
morning on the above issues gave much food for thought and some
excellent ideas. However, there was a feeling certainly amongst
the smaller helplines, that once again increased human resources
would be essential to put the ideas into practice, and for most,
funding for salaries was the major constraint.
The conference
ended with discussion on a proposed "Pure Declaration on Helplines"
to be presented to the UN at the Special Session on Children in
September 2001. This will be an excellent starting point for encouraging
Governments worldwide to recognise the increasingly important role
that helplines can play in child protection, and give many countries
the opportunity to use the document to Advocate for the true implementation
of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The conference
has undoubtedly opened up many new avenues of thought for the future
development, improvement and expansion of this badly needed service
in Zimbabwe.
On a personal
note I would like to thank most sincerely all those involved in
helping me to attend this most important conference, it was indeed
a most worthwhile experience for all fortunate enough to attend.
For More
Information Please Contact
Liz Robb - Director, Childline - Zimbabwe
60 Livingstone Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe
P.O. Box CY 1101, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-(0)4-704703, 793715, 252000
Fax: +263-(0)4-252000, 704703
Visit the Childline
fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
