African Child Policy Forum

The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) is an independent, not-for-profit, pan-African institution of policy, research and dialogue on the African child. ACPF was established with the conviction that putting children first on the public agenda is fundamental for the realisation of their rights and wellbeing and for bringing about lasting social and economic progress in Africa. ACPF’s work is rights based, inspired by universal values and informed by global experiences and knowledge.

Its work is guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and other relevant regional and international human rights instruments. ACPF aims to specifically contribute to improved knowledge on children in Africa; monitor and report progress;identify policy options; provide a platform for dialogue; collaborate with governments, inter-governmental organisations and civil society in the development and implementation of effective pro-child policies and programmes and also promote a common voice for children in and out of Africa.

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Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI)

REPSSI (the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) helps children get the care and support they are entitled to. REPSSI is a non-profit regional organization working to lessen the devastating social and emotional impact of HIV and AIDS, poverty and conflict among children and youth in 13 countries in east and southern Africa.

REPSSI maintains partnerships with governments, development partners, international organisations and NGOs in the region. With our technical advice and assistance, these partners implement programmes which strengthen communities’ and families’ ability to care for and protect their children and youth.

REPSSI work in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

UNAIDS

The goal of UNAIDS is to lead and inspire the world in Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-deaths.

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Parenting in Africa Network (PAN)

Parenting in Africa Network (PAN) is a Network of organizations, individuals and institutions keen to promote ‘skillful’ parenting practices in Africa, for the overall well-being of children and families.

Recognizing that there is a limited source of credible materials and information on parenting education and support in Africa, the network provides forums and platforms for learning and sharing information regarding parenting with skills, and knowledge, in order to safeguard children. 

Events

Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu Natal

HEARD conducts applied research to support development interventions aimed at mobilising evidence for impact in health and HIV in the SADC and east Africa region. HEARD is based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa and collaborates with a range of institutional and individual partners spanning the globe. HEARD supports UNAIDS, the SADC Secretariat and Parliamentary Forum and South African and African leadership in responding to issues of health, development and HIV.Mission

To inspire health and development strategies, policies and practices that improve the welfare of people in and beyond Africa.

General Objectives

To improve private and public sector understanding of the socio-economic impacts of HIV and AIDS through an applied research focus

• To promote multi-sectoral responses to the impact of HIV and AIDS

• To develop the practice of health economics and social/behavioural science

• To train business and community leaders, professionals and government officials in the strategic planning for the management of HIV and AIDS and other health issues

• General Principles

• Effective interventions through sound socio-economic, social and behavioural analysis and interdisciplinary research

• The transfer of skills

• The sharing of knowledge

• Capacity building

• Research utilisation

Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF)

The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) was established in 1997 in accordance with Article 9 (2) of the SADC Treaty as an autonomous institution of SADC It is a regional inter-parliamentary body composed of Thirteen (13) parliaments representing over 3500 parliamentarians in the SADC region. These member parliaments are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South, Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Forum seeks to bring regional experiences to bear at the national level, to promote best practices in the role of parliaments in regional cooperation and integration as outlined in the SADC Treaty and the Forum Constitution. Its main aim is to provide a platform for parliaments and parliamentarians to promote and improve regional integration in the SADC region, through parliamentary involvement.

SADC PF works in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

SADC's Vision is that of a common future, a future within a regional community that will ensure economic well-being, improvement of the standards of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice and peace and security for the people of southern Africa. This shared vision is anchored on the common values and principles and the historical and cultural affinities that exist between the people of southern Africa.

The SADC Mission is to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through efficient productive systems, deeper co-operation and integration, good governance, and durable peace and security, so that the region emerges as a competitive and effective player in international relations and the world economy.

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Strategic focus areas

Through ongoing regional consultation, RIATT-ESA and its partners have identified a set of priority areas for children and their families affected  by HIV and AIDS in eastern and southern Africa.

Thematic focus areas for children affected by HIV and AIDS and the region:

• Ensuring child participation and human rights for vulnerable children

• Increasing effectiveness of services and funding

• Keeping parents and children alive

• Strengthening families ability to care for children

Strategic approaches to improve the care and support for children affected by HIV and AIDS in the region:

• A family-centred approach

• HIV-sensitive social protection

• Local and national systems strengthening for the care, support and protection of children and their families

South African Regional Network Against Trafficking and Abuse of Children (SANTAC)

SANTAC mission is to build synergies amongst Southern Africa institutions and individuals to fight against all manifestations of child abuse, in particular child sexual and commercial exploitation, child labour and trafficking of children for any purpose, through lobby and advocacy, protection, law reform, rehabilitation and care services for victims.

Inter-Agency Task Teams on Children and HIV and AIDS (IATT-CABA)

The Inter-Agency Task Team for children affected by HIV and AIDS (IATT-CABA) is a global multi-agency network of over 50 members working on issues relating to children affected by HIV and AIDS. Led by UNICEF, the network has been at the forefront of the children affected by AIDS global response since 2001.

The IATT-CABA specifically aims to:

• Promote coordination and harmonization of policy guidance and programming
• Advocate, both internally and externally for accelerated implementation of evidence-informed interventions
• Promote the development and sharing of technical and programming information
• Support and broaden networking and collaboration

World Food Programme

Assisting 86.7 million people in around 83 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

On any given day, WFP has 5,600 trucks, 30 ships and nearly 100 planes on the move, delivering food and other assistance to those in most need. Distributing more than 15 billion rations at an estimated average cost per ration of US$ 0.31. These numbers lie at the roots of WFP’s unparalleled reputation as an emergency responder, one that gets the job done quickly at scale in the most difficult environments.

More information on the work of WFP can be found at www.wfp.org

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Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO–RAISA)

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO's high-impact approach involves bringing people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action, and change lives to make the world a fairer place for all. Our vision is a world without poverty. VSO brings people together to fight poverty.

• By thinking globally, we can change the world.

• Progress is only possible by working together.

• Knowledge is our most powerful tool.

• People are the best agents of change.

VSO works in Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

Driven by his love for children and a desire to end their suffering, former President Mandela established the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) in 1995. The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund strives to change the way society treats its children and youth. In the pursuit of its vision, and in order to ensure that the legacy of its founder, Nelson Mandela, is secured in perpetuity, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund aims to to build a rights-based movement that gives voice and dignity to the African child.

From 1996 to 1998, NMCF successfully mobilized over R36 million to fund over 780 projects, at an average of R40, 000 per project. Grounded in the legacy of its founder, NMCF initially operated as a grant-making organization promoting a humanitarian response to the plight of South Africa 's children and youth. The 1995-1999 period was characterised by ad hoc funding strategies that enabled children and families to meet immediate needs, and one-time support for overhead and salary costs for organisations targeting children's issues, with no particular programmatic basis for NMCF's engagement with these organisations.

During 1999, NMCF realised that this welfare or handout approach was not sustainable as it did not encourage community involvement nor did it address the array of growing organizational capacity issues. To inform a new approach, NMCF conducted an extensive review of national and regional policies on children and youth; identified several significant policy gaps; evaluated its portfolio of projects and internal procedures; and carefully defined programme intervention areas it would pursue. This review culminated in the launching, in the year 2000, of the Sakha Ikusasa strategy, reflecting a new programme and organizational approach for the period 2000-2005, and establishing NMCF as a funding cum development agency that seeks to change the ways in which society treats its children and youth in order to improve their conditions and lives.

International Children's Palliative Care Network

The ICPCN aims to achieve the best quality of life and care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, their families and carers worldwide, by raising awareness of children's palliative care, lobbying for the global development of children's palliative care services, and sharing expertise, skills and knowledge.

Hope Worldwide

HOPE worldwide's vision is to bring hope and change the lives of the world's most poor, sick and suffering. HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy.

HOPE worldwide was founded in response to the Scriptures, which call us to have the heart of Jesus by serving the poor and needy throughout the world. HOPE worldwide began in 1991 with three small local programs. Today HOPE worldwide operates on every inhabited continent, serving more than one million people annually.

HelpAge International

We believe that the contribution older people make to society is invaluable. Yet older people remain some of the poorest and most neglected in the world. We are committed to helping them claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty. Our vision is of a world in which all older people can lead dignified, active, healthy and secure lives. We work with our partners to ensure that people everywhere understand how much older people contribute to society and that they must enjoy their right to healthcare, social services and economic and physical security.

Partner resources

Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organisations (EANNASO)

The Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organisations (EANNASO) is a regional network comprising of national networks of AIDS Service Organisations (ASOs). EANNASO's mandate is to facilitate coordination, effective joint advocacy, networking and information sharing among its member networks in Eastern Africa.

Our Values

In its endeavor to serve its target population, EANNASO cherishes the outlined core values which guide the individual staff, programming and operations of the organization as a whole:

Integrity: We are stewards that believe in professionalism at all levels of service delivery and puts transparency and accountability at the forefront of program implementation.

Unity: We support consultation and participation of all stakeholders at all stages of their interventions and works towards creating a sense of belonging through sharing and promoting a common voice. EANNASO values the strength of team work to achieve its goal.

Equity: We promote rights-based programs which stand for fairness, respect, and compassion.

Leadership: We foster leadership development at all levels, encourages innovation and promotes excellence through continuous learning.

Our Vision:

An empowered civil society working to free Eastern Africa of HIV and AIDS and its associated impacts

Our Mission:

To foster national and regional networking among CSOs for a collective voice towards an effective HIV and AIDS response

Our Strategic goal:

To strengthen the capacity of national networks and civil society organizations to respond to the effects of HIV and AIDS through policy advocacy, research, knowledge management and institutional development in the Eastern African region

Our Governance Arrangements

EANNASO is governed by the (i) General Assembly (comprising of member networks) which is the highest decision-making organ (ii) A Board of Governors elected from among member networks (iii) and a secretariat of professional staff charged with the day-to-day management of the organization. The three layered structure of the organization fosters institutional ownership, transparency and accountability.

Disability HIV and AIDS Trust

The Disability, HIV and AIDS Trust (DHAT) is a not-for-profit regional organization promoting HIV and AIDS responses that address the needs and empowerment of disabled people, through building and strengthening the capacity of Disabled Peoples' Organizations (DPOs) in southern Africa.

DHAT was founded by people with disabilities who have a strong foundation and experience of working in DPOs, supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs) to develop capacity to design and implement supportive programs at grassroots level. Although DHAT was formed by people with disabilities, it is not a membership organization.

DHAT has developed a strategic partnership with the Southern African Aids Trust (SAT) in scaling up the capacity of DPOs response to HIV and AIDS needs. A number of local DPOs from the region have benefited from the partnership through capacity building training and lesson sharing workshops.

Other regional organizations collaborating with DHAT in the region are, the Southern African AIDS Network (SAT), Southern African Aids Organization (SANASO), Regional Aids Non-Governmental Organizations (RANGO), and Africa Network of Religious Leaders Living with Aids (ANERELA+). 

Better care Network

Children need and have a right to be cared for by their parents and to grow up in a family environment. This has been recognized through years of experience and research as well as formally recognized under national and international laws, including the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The mission of the BCN is to facilitate active information exchange and collaboration on the issue of children without adequate family care and advocate for technically sound policy and programmatic action on global, regional, and national levels.

Africa Platform for Social Protection

The African Platform for Social Protection (APSP) is a network of individuals and organizations operating at sub-national, national and regional levels, with a commitment to promoting and strengthening the social contract between states and citizens. This is done through promotion of active engagement of African civil society in the shaping of social protection policies, programmes, and practices in 25 countries in Africa.

To achieve this, APSP has adopted a range of strategies, including:

• Fostering national discussions on social protection aimed at developing national consensus on what constitutes workable, home-grown approaches.
• Creating awareness on the urgency of adopting social protection approaches in order to respond to the more intractable challenge of poverty and vulnerability
• Carrying out training for several CSO representatives on identification of, and responding to, social protection needs.
• Establishing collaborative partnerships with a cross-section of institutions, donors, and professionals with a stated interest in addressing the challenge of poverty and vulnerability in Africa.

Our mission

APSP exists to strengthen civil society engagement with the articulation, formulation and implementation of social protection policies and programmes in Africa.