Event:Fourth International Policy Conference on the African Child (IPC)
From Wikiprogress.org
| Event:Fourth International Policy Conference on the African Child (IPC) | |
|---|---|
| Date | 29/05/2012 |
| City | Addis Ababa |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Summary | Summary::ACPF organises The International Policy Conference on the African Child (IPC) as part of its advocacy work and to promote policy dialogue. |
Contents |
About the IPC
The International Policy Conference on the African Child (IPC) is a major biennial event aimed at promoting policy dialogue on the rights and wellbeing of children in Africa. Since 2004, there have been four IPCs, on the following themes: The African Child and the Family (2004), Violence against Girls in Africa (2006), Child Poverty in Africa (2008) and Budgeting for Children in Africa (2010).
The IPC brings together political leaders, leading thinkers, policy makers, activists and experts from governments, civil society, academia and international non-governmental organisations from within and outside Africa. The International Policy Conference on the African Child has within a relatively short period of time become a high-powered event, and the premier forum on children’s issues in Africa. It has also become a major instrument for knowledge building and dissemination, a platform for advocacy, and a useful forum for interaction among child rights policy makers, experts and activists from within Africa and around the world.
Theme of the Fifth IPC
The theme of the Fifth IPC will be on Intercountry Adoption. Why?
It is estimated that there are over 53 million orphaned children in Africa. Africa has for generations relied on informal mechanisms such as communal life and the extended family system for support and survival of those in need, especially children. However, there is now an increasing disintegration of these two systems, as a result many children are up for adoption across the continent.
Africa is the only continent where intercountry adoption is on the increase, while adoptions from all other continents have decreased in recent years. Yet only 12 African countries have ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. There is a serious and growing concern among governments, human and child rights advocates that intercountry adoption poses serious risks and challenges. Much as some children benefit from the system, experiences from some countries suggest that intercountry adoption is marred with serious problems and challenges.
The Fifth IPC will therefore bring together experts and policy makers to look into the various issues and the implications of intercountry adoption in Africa. The conference will look at both international experiences and African realities to analyse what is in the best interests of children in need of alternative care. It is also expected to adopt Pan-African Guidelines on intercountry adoption.
Conference objectives
The main objectives of the conference are:
- To provide a platform for sharing information and experiences on intercountry adoption.
- To promote action on intercountry adoption, consistent with the best interests of the child.
- To adopt a Pan-African framework and guidelines on intercounty adoption.
Registration
Visit the conference website at http://www.africanchildforum.org/ipc/
See also
| City | Addis Ababa + |
| Country | Ethiopia + |
| Date | 29 May 2012 + |
