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.

Mission

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

Cooperation Agency (SIDA) Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) (Copy)

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation. The goal of development cooperation is that of reducing poverty.

It is meant to foster economic self-reliance and state autonomy, to contribute to the improvement of production conditions, to help in finding solutions to environmental problems, and to provide better access to education and basic healthcare services. SDC carries out its activities with an annual budget of CHF 1.73 billion (2011) and a staff of some 600 people in Switzerland and abroad, as well as 1000 local employees. The Agency engages in direct operations, supports programmes of multilateral organizations, and helps to finance programmes run by Swiss and international relief organizations in four operational areas: Regional Cooperation, Global Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid  and Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 

Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves. We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation.

When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs. As quickly and as effectively as Save the Children responds to tsunamis and civil conflict, it works to resolve the ongoing struggles children face every day — poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease — and replaces them with hope for the future.

UNICEF

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. With the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality.  That makes UNICEF unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.

UNICEF believes that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress.  UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.  With the belief that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity.

UNICEF advocates for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

UNICEF promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children.

UNICEF acts so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished, because it is wrong for a child to suffer or die from a preventable illness.

UNICEF works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. Helping children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

UNICEF involves everyone in creating protective environments for children. Being present to relieve suffering during emergencies, and wherever children are threatened, because no child should be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation.

UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Working to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. Working for the Sustainable Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United Nations Charter. Stringing for peace and security. Holding everyone accountable to the promises made for children.

UNICEF is a part of the Global Movement for Children – a broad coalition dedicated to improving the life of every child.  Through this movement, and events such as the United Nations Special Session on Children, we encourage young people to speak out and participate in the decisions that affect their lives. 

Working in 190 countries through country programmes and National Committees. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

UNICEF works in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nambia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

East African Community (EAC)

The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organisation of the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Vision of EAC is a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa; and the Mission is to widen and deepen Economic, Political, Social and Culture integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

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World Vision International

World Vision International

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by Christian values, and dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. Serving all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

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Southern Africa AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS)

The Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) is a regional non-profit organisation based in Harare, Zimbabwe. SAfAIDS' core activities include capacity development of other HIV and AIDS Intermediary Organisations (IOs); information production, collection and dissemination; networking and partnership building; and leadership in promoting dialogue on cutting- edge issues related to HIV and AIDS.

 Mission

The organisation's mission is to promote effective and ethical development responses to the epidemic and its impact through HIV and AIDS knowledge management, capacity development, advocacy, policy analysis and documentation.

Vision

SAfAIDS strives to be a leading southern Africa regional centre of excellence, organising, analysing, repackaging and disseminating HIV and AIDS information in response to the needs of communities.

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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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.