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Dear *|FNAME|*
This bulletin (no. 3/2013) updates NGO Coalition members and supporters on progress with the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020. (Past bulletins are also available on the Families Australia website).
1. Annual Coalition Meeting.
Ms Megan Mitchell, National Children's Commissioner, is our Keynote speaker for the meeting. Ms Mitchell will talk with Coalition members while she is in Melbourne for her national tour, the Big Banter. Ms Mitchell commenced her national tour while attending the recent SNAICC conference in Cairns, where she called for a different approach to keeping vulnerable Aboriginal children out of the justice system.
A detailed agenda will be out shortly.
Venue and meeting details:
• Date: Friday, 26 July 2013
• Time: 8.30am-3.30pm (8.30 tea and coffee for 9am start; morning tea and lunch provided)
• Venue: Stamford Plaza Melbourne, 111 Little Collins St, Melbourne
RSVP
Please use the Registration Form to advise that you will attend, and of any dietary or other special requirements. Your registration form should be received by COB Friday 5 July 2013. Registration Form: https://secure.jotform.co/form/21838818668874
Travel subsidy details available: here
2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workshops
Over the past four weeks two successful workshops have been held involving approximately 80 leading members of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander organisations, academics and practitioners, alongside the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and members of the NGO Coalition which includes academics from a diverse field of interests. These workshops focussed on the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle and the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home-care. Workshops were ably facilitated by Karen Milward and Fiona Arney and Benny Hodges and Nerelle Nicol respectively.
Background paper to the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle Workshop available: here
Overview from the Knowledge Circle workshop available: here
3. Cultural and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Workshop
A new priority under the second three year action plan is to explore stronger engagement of CALD communities, particularly newly arrived groups, to enhance their understanding of child wellbeing and availability of support systems. The Coalition secretariat will work with CALD Coalition members to convene a workshop later this year to explore opportunities to strengthen linkages and existing supports. More details coming soon.
4. Annual Report to the Council of Australian Governments 2011-12
Protecting Children is everyone's business: National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children.
Key points are:
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highlights of the first three year action plan and achievement
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recognition of the important role of the NGO and academic Coalition, its leadership and contributions to the National Framework governance and implementation
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an overview of the second action plan which is already underway
Coalition members provided a number of valuable case studies which are in this report. Case studies help highlight strategies, practices and programs which aim to make a difference and improve outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and their families.
The report is available: here
5. Child Aware National Initiatives
A number of new projects have been funded to build on the highly successful Child Aware Approaches funding round of 2012 and first national Child Aware Approaches Conference. Child Aware projects aim: to embed and promote Child Aware Approaches across organisations, communities, business and governments to address risk factors for child abuse and neglect, putting the child at the centre and improving the safety and wellbeing of Australia’s children. The NGO Coalition is taking a leadership role in coordinating the implementation of these projects. There will be a number of opportunities to engage and participate in working groups over the coming months.
A summary of new Child Aware projects is available: here
Yours sincerely
Brian Babington, CEO
Stella Conroy, Acting CEO
25 June 2013
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