Introduction
This is a report of the proceedings of PAN’s contributions to the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family (and the 10th anniversary of the Plan of Action - PoA - on the family in Africa) through a Regional Experts meeting whose theme was dubbed “Restoring families as the Pillar of Development in Africa”. The experts meeting held at Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya brought together over sixty (60) participants, drawn from 9 countries in Africa. They included representatives from CSO’s, Regional and International NGO’s, Government Departments, Local Media, Academia, the Private sector, Policy Makers, Family Services Practitioners, individuals and a representative from the African Union AU - Committee of Experts on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The lead facilitator during the meeting was Trevor Davis, the Executive Director for Africa Fatherhood Initiative - Zimbabwe assisted by session chairs; Beatrice Ogutu (Regional Child Protection Manager, ICS Africa), Anthony Njoroge (Senior Child protection Manager - Save the Children EARO), Erna Rheeder (Co-ordinator for SAVF Famnet, South Africa), Lynette Mudekunye (REPPSI) and Betty Muthoni (SOS Children’s Villages, Kenya).
The meeting started with a word of prayer from Epodoi Godfrey, (the Manager for partnerships at Uganda Child Rights NGO Network), thanking the Almighty God for the journey mercies that He had bestowed upon all expected delegates; whilst also remembering families of the over 200 girls abducted, in Nigeria, by Boko Haram militia group.
