Asia-Pacific Region Conterence on Child Abuse and Neglect

I was assigned to attend the Asia-Pacific Region Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect was held in Perth, West of Australia from 15-19 November 2009. It is the 8^th ISPCAN Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect incorporation with the 12^th Australia Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. ISPCAN is shortcut of International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and it was founded in 1977 and is a multidisciplinary international organization. The Conference theme is “Child Abuse and Neglect: Looking through the Lens of Prevention in recognition of the need. The focus is on the creation of holistic approaches that engage children and families, communities, professionals, business, non-governmental organization and governments in preventing child abuse and advancing the well being of children, young people and their families. The intention is to create a venue for discussions on the development of effective child abuse prevention systems and to explore innovations in prevention from community-based, community-led programs to therapeutic health and family interventions to statutory child protection services and criminal justice responses. The objective of Conference is to encourage the exchange of ideas and practices and the development of friendships, professional exchanges and linkages for delegates and agencies from around the region. Furthermore it enables the development of a shared understanding between those of different professional backgrounds, cultures and geographical locations and to identify approaches and solutions that may be adopted for use across different communities.

The conference attracted many delegates from different countries in Asia-pacific region as well as the world around. The total countries were around 40 countries with around three hundred participants of which four people from Cambodia; two from COSECAM and two from Chab-Dai coalition.

The conference was divided into many workshops. Although COSECAM did not have opportunity to make presentations in any workshops during the conference, we separated among ourselves for attending workshops that its topics were interested and relevant to COSECAM’s objectives and each of us attended at least 4-5 selected workshops per day, not include plenary sessions addressed by keynote speakers. We would like to inform you that the conference is very informative. Delegates did not have enough time to discuss topic presenting in each workshop. However we could have chance to pursue our discussions and lobbying activities during tea break. We also exhibited COSECAM reading materials in exhibition floor for interested people to get to know activities of COSECAM. The delegates were interesting to read all reading materials of COSECAM exhibiting in showroom. Some of delegates have taken these reading materials to their respective countries for their documents and references. We attended the opening ceremony, welcoming remark, addressing keynotes, and showing culture which were held in theatre hall which was a venue of plenary sessions. We noted that all keynote speakers as well as chair of conference organizing committee gave their speeches in framework of child protection system by engaging entire communities, business, civic organization, health center, police, school, religious organizations in preventing child maltreatment. We took part in site visits in last day of conference in order to learn and share working procedure in separation.

Due to methodology of conference of which were divided into small room workshops by thematic issues for participants from 15-30 to make them to have chance to select by their own choice and free wills which themes they wanted to hear so that they could attend. That methodology made participants to learn of different topics. The results of the conference were tremendous that we can not give you preside and details since we did have any tools to measure the results. However we could see the results through our participation, observation, and sharing information after each workshop that we knew issues of child abuse and neglect and mechanisms to deal with the issues in different countries, Australia is particular. Generally, issues of child abuse and neglect in Australia were mainly resulted from alcohol and drug which resulted in domestic violence having affected to children, economical burdens leading toward to family householders to work hard for money for family by leaving children so isolation that made them feel not warm enough with parents so they might easily fall into criminal commitments. If compared to developing countries, the Australian issues were so advance than developing countries where the issues of child abuse and neglect were mainly victimizing to and vulnerable with trafficking, rape, domestic violence, food starvation, school abandons, chronicle illnesses and so on. For the child protection system is not so different. The system is to engage entire communities, businesses, civic organizations, fire departments, health centers, police departments, property managers, religious organizations, school to set mechanism to ensure well being of child and to address maltreatment of child, normally relied on existing community assets like human resources, institutional structure, and physical facilities, outreach workers, assisting community organizations and individual volunteers in making neighbors care for families. Results of conference not all were positive as we have already reported in above that the conference contented many workshops that each workshop did not give enough time for participants to discuss and share experiences it make some of participants bored sometimes.

My first impression is the beauty of Perth, it is very clean, there is no pollution, and environment is so green. The city is not crowded. Traffic is not as busy as Phnom Penh. For my impression on conference is the organizing is very good. Participants were so friendly, regardless nationalities, races, and social status. Presentations were well prepared by speakers. Many topics were designed that allowed participants to decide on topics that they wanted to hear. Master Ceremony (MC) was very professional that could inspire a lot of participation from participants, especially stimulating youth group in child protection system. The time management was punctual. However I found a bit strange, the MC did not want participants to take picture. She said it might scare speakers or questioners.

I strongly hope that you will enjoy reading and give me your comments afterward. Thank for your cooperation.