Initiatives
The international interagency group has worked on a number of initiatives including the
Development of Moving Forward, a tool for informing and inspiring practitioners, organisations and governments across the globe who are seeking to provide the best possible rights-based care for children who are, or who may be, in need of alternative care.
On a dedicated website, you will find the 'Moving Forward' publication and its related resources all in one place, to enable policy-makers and practitioners to best implement the ‘Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children’ in their international, regional and country contexts.
http://www.alternativecareguidelines.org/Home/tabid/2372/language/en-GB/Default.aspx
Organisation of Building on the Momentum, international conference on alternative care in Geneva, October 2016 http://www.alternativecaregeneva2016.com/index.php/en/
With 400 participants, over 30 leading experts in plenaries and three working languages, the «Momentum » conference in Geneva was the international event for alternative care professionals. The 42 poster presentations greatly facilitated learning from both grass root organisations and ongoing international initiatives as well as networking. Likewise a number of thematic side meetings were held, such as children on the move, children with disabilities, childonomics as well as funding streams analysis. Given the calibre of presenters, filming for the MOOC on Alternative Care also started during the conference. All presentations were motivating and stimulating, confirming practical ways to implement the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, seven years on. Realistically the conference likewise identified remaining challenges such as violence against children, limited resources, upscaling isolated initiatives to have nationwide impact and most importantly, how to include the voice of children. Lumos self-advocates were particularly inspiring, challenging the audience with the closing statement that «we can assure you, the quickest way to find the child’s happiness is by including him or her in the decision making process ». A summary of the conclusions, powerpoint presentations, poster presentations briefs, photos during the event and other information can be found at http://www.alternativecaregeneva2016.com/index.php/en/