Working Group on Orphans and Vulnerable Children



Organised by the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Working Group*, of the UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development and the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID)

One-day symposium on sharing best practice in programming for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. The aim of the symposium was to share experiences and programme approaches among practitioners working with orphans and vulnerable children and their carers. There were presentations to highlight lessons learnt and best practice related to the five approaches identified in 'The Framework for the protection of orphans and vulnerable children' to facilitate discussion and assist with identifying approaches which can be scaled up and replicated.

Aim of the symposium
The main aim of the symposium was to share experiences and programme approaches among practitioners working with orphans and vulnerable children and their carers. To facilitate this discussion, presentations were made which highlighted lessons learned and best practice related to the five approaches identified in 'The Framework for the protection of orphans and vulnerable children living in a world of AIDS'. It was anticipated that this discussion would assist with identifying approaches which can be scaled-up and replicated.

Symposium programme
Following an overview of 'The Framework', the symposium consisted of five sessions, one on each of the five approaches in the Framework. Each included one or two examples of programme experience based on recent research or evaluations, followed by plenary discussion time. The day concluded with a round up session to summarise core lessons and identify some next steps. A report will be produced of the main discussions and recommendations of the symposium, to be disseminated amongst organisations working with orphans and vulnerable children.

Agenda & Presentations:

Welcome
David Clarke, Education Adviser, AIDS Team, Department for International Development

The Right Honourable Hilary Benn, MP, Secretary of State for International Development

Overview
'The Framework for the protection of orphans and vulnerable children living in a world with AIDS'
Peter Mc Dermott, Chief HIV/AIDS Adviser, UNICEF
Presentation: download 'PowerPoint' file (771KB)

1. Strengthen the capacity of families to protect and care for orphans and vulnerable children by prolonging the lives of parents and providing economic, psychosocial and other support

Communicating to strengthen family capacity
Healthlink Worldwide, Speakers: Bernard Trude and Nicola Ward
Presentation: download 'Word' file (2.86MB) / download 'PowerPoint' file (2.14MB)

Living Together' Strengthening the resources and responses of families of orphaned and vulnerable children and their older caregivers in Tete province, Mozambique
HelpAge International, Speaker: Fiona Clark
Presentation: download 'PowerPoint' file (930KB)

2. Mobilize and support community-based responses

Promising Practices in OVC Responses
World Vision UK, Speaker: Clive Bacon
Presentation: download 'PowerPoint' file (52.5KB)

Strengthening community structures to support orphans in Luwero District, Uganda
AMREF, Speaker: Sarah Hall
Presentation: download 'Word' file (32KB) / download 'PowerPoint' file (24.5MB)

3. Ensure access for orphans and vulnerable children to essential services, including education, health care, birth registration and others

Community, children and young people led responses to orphans and HIV/AIDS in Acham district of Nepal
Save the Children UK, Speaker: Vijay Rajkumar
Presentation: download 'PowrPoint' file (136KB)

4. Ensure that governments protect the most vulnerable children through improved policy and legislation and by channelling resources to families and communities

National Policy Processes to develop a Social Protection Strategy in Ghana
Department for International Development, Speaker: Kirsty Mason
Presentation: download 'Word' file (36KB)

Expanding OVC support in a difficult environment
Department for International Development, Speaker: Rachel Yates
Presentation: download 'Word' file (32KB)

5. Raise awareness at all levels through advocacy and social mobilization to create a supportive environment for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS

Strengthening and supporting mobilisation efforts at the community level: experiences from Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Tearfund, Speaker: Richard Weaver
Presentation: download 'PowrPoint' file (48KB)

Social Inclusion for orphans and vulnerable children: lessons learned from Africa and Asia
International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Speaker: Kate Harrison
Presentation: download 'PowrPoint' file (333KB)



If you are a Consortium on AIDS member not already involved, but would like to be, contact the Consortium Secretariat